Parish G G, Glass R, Kimbrough R
Arch Environ Health. 1979 Jul-Aug;34(4):224-7. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1979.10667403.
On February 6, 1978, two maintenance workers employed by a chemical company in Atlanta, Georgia, became ill after cleaning a clogged drain. Both were hospitalized with acute fulminant hemolytic anemia and renal failure. While the clinical picture suggested arsine or stibine poisoning, preliminary investigation of the plant revealed no obvious source of arsenic, antimony, or hydrogen gas. During the cleaning operation, the men drained a mixing tank that 5 yr before had been used to store arsenical herbicides. To unclog the drain, they added a standard drain cleaner containing sodium hydroxide and aluminum chips, a combination that reacted to release hydrogen gas. This gas combined with the arsenic residue to form toxic quantities of arsine gas (arsenic trihydride). Arsenic was found in the liquid and gas from the drain and in blood and urine of both patients, and of two other workers who worked in the vicinity of the drain. This investigation suggests that drain cleaners which react to release hydrogen should not be used in situations where arsenic or antimony may be present. Furthermore, maintenance men, who may be exposed to the chemicals used in a plant, should be educated, supervised, and screened so that their risk for occupational hazards may be reduced.
1978年2月6日，佐治亚州亚特兰大市一家化工公司的两名维修工人在清理堵塞的下水道后生病。两人均因急性暴发性溶血性贫血和肾衰竭住院。虽然临床表现提示砷化氢或锑化氢中毒，但对该工厂的初步调查未发现明显的砷、锑或氢气来源。在清理操作过程中，两人排空了一个5年前曾用于储存含砷除草剂的混合罐。为了疏通下水道，他们添加了一种含有氢氧化钠和铝屑的标准下水道清洁剂，二者发生反应释放出氢气。这种气体与砷残留物结合形成了有毒量的砷化氢气体（砷化三氢）。在下水道的液体和气体中以及两名患者和另外两名在下水道附近工作的工人的血液和尿液中均发现了砷。该调查表明，在可能存在砷或锑的情况下，不应使用会发生反应释放氢气的下水道清洁剂。此外，可能接触工厂所用化学品的维修人员应接受教育、得到监督并接受筛查，以便降低他们面临职业危害的风险。
