Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany.
J Med Case Rep. 2024 Jul 10;18(1):331. doi: 10.1186/s13256-024-04651-8.
Zinc fever is well described in medical literature, particularly in workers after handling zinc-containing materials at high temperatures e.g., in the welding of hot-dip galvanized steel sheets. It is not known whether zinc fever also occurs at low temperatures.
We present the case of a 33-year-old Caucasian atopic painter and varnisher with work-related dyspnea, sweating, as well as multiple occurrences of fever. He was sent to Institute for Prevention and Occupational medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA) for the evaluation of isocyanate asthma, but an inhalative challenge with hexamethylene diisocyanate was negative. Since symptoms were closely related to the use of zinc coatings at room temperature without adequate protective measures, the diagnosis of zinc fever was made. After exposure cessation the worker immediately became symptom-free. The work as painter and varnisher may be associated with various exposures to hazardous substances. Besides solvents, epoxy compounds and isocyanates, which can cause obstructive respiratory diseases; additionally, zinc-containing agents should be considered as health hazards.
This case demonstrates that zinc fever may occur also after application of zinc coatings by spray painting at low temperatures.
锌热病在医学文献中已有详细描述，特别是在高温下处理含锌材料的工人中，例如在热浸镀锌钢板的焊接过程中。目前尚不清楚锌热病是否也会在低温下发生。
我们报告了一例 33 岁的白种人特应性油漆工和涂漆工，他因工作相关的呼吸困难、出汗以及多次发热而就诊。他被送往德国社会保险职业医学研究所（IPA），接受异氰酸酯哮喘评估，但六亚甲基二异氰酸酯吸入性挑战呈阴性。由于症状与在室温下使用锌涂层且没有适当防护措施密切相关，因此诊断为锌热病。工人停止接触后立即无症状。作为油漆工和涂漆工，他可能会接触到各种有害物质。除了可引起阻塞性呼吸道疾病的溶剂、环氧树脂和异氰酸酯外；还应将含锌制剂视为健康危害。
本病例表明，低温喷涂锌涂层后也可能发生锌热病。
