Thriene B, Sobottka A, Willer H, Weidhase J
Hygieneinstitut Sachsen-Anhalt, Magdeburg, Germany.
Toxicol Lett. 1996 Nov;88(1-3):299-303. doi: 10.1016/0378-4274(96)03753-8.
The Institute of Hygiene was requested to determine causes and scope of health complaints made by the employees of Haldensleben district administration after sound absorbing mineral fibre boards had been installed as suspended ceilings. The boards were coated with a lean water-carried paint; however, the edges, which were partially frayed, were not coated. The air inside the rooms was measured on all four storeys of the building, followed by scanning electron microscopy in compliance with VDI Code 3492. In addition, measurements showed fibres with diameters of > 3 microns which are not subject to the regulations for carcinogenic substances, but, in contrast to the thinner fibres, they may cause irritations of skin and mucosa. The employees were questioned about their health problems. At the beginning of 1994, a total of 79 of the 133 employees complained about itching, reddening and burning of their eyes as well as irritations of the upper respiratory tract. More than 50% had consulted a doctor. Late in 1994, another questionnaire survey was completed. The fibre content of the office air was determined to vary from 1000 to 3500 fibres/m3 and, in addition, 100-200 fibres with diameters of > 3 microns. Our investigations showed that there is an interrelationship between the degree of dust accumulation in the offices and health complaints. Independently of the current discussion of the cancer causing potential of thin man-made mineral fibres, the very long and thick mineral fibres (> 3 microns in diameter) are of topical importance to health.
哈尔登斯莱本地区行政部门的员工在安装了吸音矿物纤维板作为吊顶后提出了健康投诉，卫生研究所被要求确定投诉的原因和范围。这些板材涂有稀薄的水性漆；然而，部分磨损的边缘未涂漆。对该建筑的所有四层楼内的空气进行了测量，随后按照德国工程师协会（VDI）第3492号规范进行了扫描电子显微镜检查。此外，测量发现了直径大于3微米的纤维，这些纤维不受致癌物质法规的限制，但与较细的纤维相比，它们可能会引起皮肤和黏膜的刺激。对员工的健康问题进行了询问。1994年初，133名员工中有79人抱怨眼睛瘙痒、发红和灼痛以及上呼吸道受到刺激。超过50%的人咨询过医生。1994年末，又完成了一次问卷调查。办公室空气中的纤维含量被测定为每立方米1000至3500根纤维，此外，还有100 - 200根直径大于3微米的纤维。我们的调查表明，办公室灰尘积累程度与健康投诉之间存在相互关系。不管目前关于细的人造矿物纤维致癌潜力的讨论如何，非常长且粗的矿物纤维（直径大于3微米）对健康具有重要的现实意义。
