Outbreak of carbon tetrachloride poisoning in a color printing factory related to the use of isopropyl alcohol and an air conditioning system in Taiwan.

摘要: Three workers from a color printing factory were admitted to community hospitals in 1985 with manifestations of acute hepatitis. One the three had superimposed renal failure and pulmonary edema. An investigation was subsequently conducted at plant determine etiology outbreak prevalence liver disease among remaining workers. Comprehensive medical evaluations conducted, which included physical examinations, function tests, serological screening for Seventeen 25 abnormal tests 10 days after outbreak, significant association found between presence history recently having worked inside any rooms an interconnecting air conditioning system been installed cool machines. After further investigation, it determined that incident occurred following inadvertent use carbon tetrachloride clean pump machine. A simulation cleaning operation revealed ambient levels 300-500 ppm. Ultimately, concluded all likelihood due combined isopropyl alcohol operation. This underscores importance adopting appropriate industrial hygiene measures rapidly industrializing nation such as Taiwan.