Assessment of environmental pollutants at Kushk Mine, Iran

To determine the nature and grade of air pollutants at different locations [work sectors] of the mine and also to find out how to institute improvements. Air samples at peak working periods were taken three times, to obtain a median value, using a Drager Quantimeter 1000 with both short- and long-time exposure detection tubes. Underground tunnels, surface mine, milling department, explosive store, chemical laboratory and other important corners of Kushk Mine, Iran.Gases supposed to have evolved because of natural ore distribution or gases produced by different mining and milling procedures. Very high concentration of sulphur dioxide emission [31.5 ppm] on to the surface through the main ventilationl window and also high atmospheric levels of carbon monoxide [62 ppm], oxides of nitrogen [50.2 ppm] and cyanides [11.4 ppm] could be detected. Correction of mechanical defects in the production line and poor engineering lay-out of the plant, together with adequate health and safety education to the persons concerned and good housekeeping can combat pollutions to provide a safe healthy work environment

Disease patterns amongst mine workers at Kushk [Iran]

A cross-sectional survey of 651 workers at a remote lead and zinc mining complex has shown the following clinical evidence which may indicate the presence of occupational diseases. The incidence of all symptoms was 30% ranging from 9.7% in workers under 20, to 80% in those over 60 years old, the relationship between age and the frequency of symptoms being approximately linear. Respiratory symptoms were the most frequent, affecting 7.2% of the workers, digestive disorders 6.9%, back pain 3.7%, eye strain 2.8%, dermatitis and hearing loss 2.15% each. In addition to the mineral ores, the workers are exposed to a variety of potentially toxic chemical agents, so that in addition to the study of a control population, specific tests need to be applied to determine whether there are exposure related occupational diseases in this population