Hazardous effects of nickel and cobalt production on the eyes / 眼科

ABSTRACT

IN Jin Chuan Non-ferrous Mining Area, 414 workers in constant contact with nickel and cobalt production and 100 controls not in direct contact were studied ophthalmologically. At the production line, the air contents of Ni and Co were 2.7～18 and 3.69～11.1 times respectively higher than those in working areas of the controls, and the urine and hair contents of these elements in the workers were also significantly higher than those in the controls, in positive correlation with the air contents. In comparison with the controls, the workers manifested more serious limbal pigmentation in the cornea, conjunctivitis, and lens opactiy which, though positively correlated with the indices of Ni and Co, was of a mild nature that did not interfere with the visual function.