A case report of occupational aluminum pneumoconiosis caused by aluminum fluoride dust / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics of occupational aluminum pneumoconiosis caused by aluminum fluoride dust. METHODS: The clinical data of a case of occupational aluminum pneumoconiosis caused by occupational exposure to aluminum fluoride dust was retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The patient had a clear history of occupational exposure to aluminum fluoride dust for 13 years. The main clinical symptoms were chest tightness, cough and expectoration. High kV posterior and anterior chest X-ray showed that the texture of both lungs was increased and blurred, and multiple small dot-shaped shadows, including round or q-shaped shadows, were seen in the both lung fields and distributed in 6 lung regions. Chest computed tomography showed that the texture of both lungs increased, and multiple small punctate high density lesions were found in both lungs. The pulmonary function examination showed the small airway ventilation dysfunction and the gas diffusion function was reduced. It was diagnosed as occupational aluminum pneumoconiosis stage Ⅱ. CONCLUSION: Aluminum fluoride-induced occupational pneumoconiosis has slow onset and lacks specificity in clinical symptoms. The chest X-ray manifestations are mainly increased pulmonary texture and small round shadows.

Protective effect of Spirulina and tamarind fruit pulp diet supplement in fish (Gambusia affinis Baird & Girard) exposed to sublethal concentration of fluoride, aluminum and aluminum fluoride.

Protective role of diet supplements (Spirulina, tamarind fruit pulp and their combination) on a freshwater fish G. affinis exposed at sublethal concentration of fluoride (F-) (10 ppm), Al+3 (3 ppm) and aluminum fluoride (AlF3) (35.4 ppm) in the microcosms (15 L sized) for 30-60 days in winter (90 days in summer) has been reported. Toxic effects of chemicals were manifested as higher fish mortality (4-50%) and acid (≈-30%) and alkaline phosphatase (25-50%) contents, but reduction in RBC counts (5-55%) and protein content (≈-29%) compared with controls. Alterations in values of these parameters were found maximum in aluminum exposed fish suggesting it as the most toxic among the tested chemicals. Diet supplements reduced toxicity of tested chemicals, especially when Spirulina and tamarind were given together.