Metal fume fever mffbrass founders ague, zinc shakes, monday morning feveris a self limiting inhalation fever attributed to a number of metal oxide fumes. To the best of our knowledge, so far there has been only one case report of poisoning resulting from the consumption of brake fluid. Metal fume fever people exposed to metal vapors can get metal fume fever. These oxides are produced by heating various metals including cadmium, zinc, magnesium, copper, antimony. Metal fume fever is generally a benign flulike illness following exposure to metal fume. We describe 2 related cases of serious metal fume fever in a 29 and a 51yearold male precipitated by the use of an acetylene torch to dismantle galvanized steel in a poorly ventilated area. Metal fumes are byproducts of the material being used. Metal fume fever is an acute allergic condition experienced by many. Onset of mff is rapid, occurring within a few hours after inhalation of the fumes.
Metal fume fever mff is a welldocumented acute disease induced by intense inhalation of metal oxides. Diagnosing metal fume feveran integrated approach oxford. To determine the epidemiology of metal fume fever over an extended period in victoria, australia. Diagnosis of metal fume fever can be difficult, as the complaints are nonspecific and resemble a number of other common illnesses. Metal fume fever is a condition in which the sufferer has influenza type symptoms a raised temperature, chills, aches and pains, nausea and dizziness. Severe symptoms may occur if there is poor exposure control. Although metal fume fever has also been invoked as a generic effect of exposure to numerous other metal oxides copper, cadmium, iron, magnesium, and manganese, there is little evidence to support this. What is the pathophysiology of metal fume fever caused by. Metal fume fever and polymer fume fever request pdf. Metal fume fever is an occupational disease caused by inhalation of metal containing fumes, most important element being zinc oxide. The history is characterised by fever, headache, myalgia, fatigue, and dyspnoea. Metal fume fever can also be induced by other metal oxides and is characterized by flulike symptoms.
The diagnosis is based primarily upon a history of exposure to metal oxide fumes. Mff is primarily associated with the inhalation of. The study consisted of a preexposure and two follow up assessments of 286 welding apprentices during an average period of 15 months. Specific defined criteria were used to identify cases of metal fume fever and a set of data points extracted for each. The most common cause of mff is the inhalation of zinc oxide zno. Jul 20, 2011 the figure below, from the metal fume fever. Inhalation of certain freshly formed metal oxides produced from welding process can cause mff as an acute selflimiting flulike illness. Metal gates, wagons, fences, etc this afternoon i had been welding hog panels that had been damaged. Metal fume fever occurs in welders who inhale zinccontaining fumes, although other fume components may also produce the symptoms of this condition. The metal fume fever mff is an inhalation fever syndrome in welders of galvanized steel, who join and cut metal parts using flame or electric arc and other sources of heat.
Metal fume fever is an acute febrile illness associated with the inhalation of respirable particles fume of zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is the most common metal responsible for this syndrome. Symptoms, usually fever and chills, appear from 4 to 12 hours after exposure. Mff is primarily associated with the inhalation of zinc oxide fumes that are produced when. As a result they can, depending on the materials being used, contain a wide variety of potential respiratory hazards. Controlling hazardous fume and occupational safety and. Metal fume fever definition of metal fume fever by medical. Metal fume fever is an occupational disease with 1,500 to 2,500 cases reported annually in the u. Metal fume fever metal fume fever is a clinical syndrome caused by inhalation of metal containing fumes generated by welding, galvanizing or smelting. Metal fume fever mff is an important occupationalrelated illness resulting from inhalation of volatile metal oxides, especially zinc, that are produced during. Metal fume fever boc australia a member of the linde group.
Metal fume fever is a selflimiting and largely benign illness stemming mainly from the exposure to and inhalation of zinc oxide fumes. Diagnosis of metal fume fever is based on exposure to metal fumes within the last 48 h and development of influenzalike symptoms with resolution within 2448 h. However, many other metals have been implicated, such as. Alternative names for metal fume fever include, zinc fume fever, brass chills or brass founders ague. The symptoms usually disappear after 2448 hours mueller and seger, 1985. Metal fume fever is an acute allergic condition experienced by. People around welding, foundries, and similar industries can get this. Welders metal fume fever occupational medicine oxford. The main cause of this exposure is usually breathing the fumes from welding, cutting, or brazing on galvanized metal. Pdf metal fume fever salvatore salomone, filippo caraci. A respiratory and a systemic symptom questionnaire, skin prick. Metal fume fever article about metal fume fever by the free. It seems like the flu, but flu remedies dont help much because it is poisoning by metal toxicity.
The metal fume fever mff is an inhalation fever syndrome in welders of galvanized steel, who join and cut metal parts using flame or electric arc and other. Jun 29, 20 diagnosis of metal fume fever is based on exposure to metal fumes within the last 48 h and development of influenzalike symptoms with resolution within 2448 h. Is metal fume fever a determinant of welding related. A full occupational history and close collaboration between primary and secondary health care personnel are required to make an accurate diagnosis. Severe and protracted illness related to metal fume exposure is rare. It is associated with inhalation of freshly formed oxides of a number of metals including zinc, iron and copper. May 02, 2020 metal fume fever mff is a welldocumented acute disease induced by intense inhalation of metal oxides. Metal fume fever is an acute selflimited illness induced most commonly by inhalation of zinc oxide fumes.
Resulting from inhalation of metal oxides, it presents as an acute, self. Inhalation of certain freshly formed metal oxides produced from welding process can cause. Metal fume fever is an influenzalike syndrome with fever, myalgias, profuse sweating, and other symptoms that usually occur 310 hours after heavy exposure to a variety of metal oxides. Clinical diagnosis based on a combination of symptoms, metal exposure, exposure time, and resolution increases the likelihood of a diagnosis of metal fume fever. The affected individual characteristically experiences the rapid onset of intense shaking chills, fever, and body aches a few hours after exposure, and symptoms dissipate spontaneously. Prolonged exposure to manganese fume can cause parkinsonslike symptoms. Metal fume fever is, however, not the only potential health hazard for those working within the metals industries. When respiratory symptoms are prominent, metal fume fever may be confused with acute bronchitis. Persons usually recover within one to two days, but symptoms can recur with repeated exposure. Jan 19, 2016 metal fume fever people exposed to metal vapors can get metal fume fever. Metal fume fever is an occupational disease caused by inhalation of metalcontaining fumes, most important element being zinc oxide. Metal fume fever wikimili, the best wikipedia reader.
These derive from the regular occurrence of fume fever in workers employed in brass foundries, where zinc, with its low boiling point 907c, would boiloff when added to molten copper at 1083c, forming zinc oxide in the air. Gases such as helium, argon, and carbon dioxide displace oxygen in the air and can lead to suffocation, particularly when welding in confined or. Two attacks of metal fume fever, the first complicated by pneumonia, are described as they affected a manual arc electric welder. Health effects from certain fumes may include metal fume fever, stomach ulcers, kidney damage and nervous system damage. Jan, 2018 metal fume fever symptoms in normal cases, the symptoms appear several hours after exposure and disappear within a day or some days. Ten further attacks are analysed for clinical features and welders environmental parameters. The diagnosis of metal fume fever can be difficult, since the symptoms also resemble other types of illnesses. Heavy human exposure to zinc oxide fume may cause an immediate dryness and irritation of the throat, a sweet or metallic taste. Metal fume fever is most likely to present on monday due to loss of tolerance over the weekend in occupational welders.
Metal fume fever zn zno overview metal fume fever is the name for an illness that is caused primarily by exposure to zinc oxide fume zno in the workplace. A full occupational history and close collaboration between primary and secondary health care personnel are. Metal fume fever mffbrass founders ague, zinc shakes, monday morning fever is a self limiting inhalation fever attributed to a number of metal oxide fumes. Metal fume fever is a relatively uncommon presentation to the emergency department. Get medical attention if irritation develops or persists. Metal fume fever mff is an important occupationalrelated illness resulting from inhalation of volatile metal oxides, especially zinc, that are produced during welding or cutting of metal materials. Metal fume fever and pneumonitis are caused by acute exposure to high concentrations of metal fumes such as zinc, magnesium, and their oxides. I other terms associated with metal fume fevermff are brass founder, ague, spetter shakes, zinc chills, brass chills, zinc ague and monday morning fever. Metal fume fever, also known as brass founders ague, brass shakes, 1 zinc shakes, galvie flu, metal dust fever, welding shivers, or monday morning fever, 2 is an illness primarily caused by exposure to chemicals such as zinc oxide zno, aluminium oxide al 2 o 3, or magnesium oxide mgo which are produced as byproducts in the fumes that result when certain metals are heated. Each case was unusual in both severity and duration of symptoms for metal fume. Metalfume fever from inhaling zinc oxide jama internal. It is also known as galvanisers poisoning, smelters chills or monday morning fever. Metal fume fever is the name for an illness that is caused primarily by exposure to zinc oxide fume zno in the workplace. Metal fume fever mff is considered a historical occupational disease associated with the inhalation of metal fumes.
If thermal burn occurs, flush area with cold water and get immediate medical attention. The current prospective study investigated the hypothesis of metal fume fever mff being a predictor for the development of respiratory symptoms and functional abnormalities. Metal fume fever is a diagnosed with exposure to metal fumes within the last 48 hours and flulike symptom development with resolution within 12 days. Dec 12, 2019 diagnosis of metal fume fever can be difficult, as the complaints are nonspecific and resemble a number of other common illnesses. The oxides of the following metals are capable of causing the disease. Nioshtic2 publications search 20036504 metal fume fever. Metalfume fever is an acute industrial illness which follows the inhalation of finely dispersed particulate matter formed when certain metals are volatilized.
Metal fume fever, also known as brass founders ague, brass shakes, zinc shakes, galvie flu, metal dust fever, welding shivers, or monday morning fever, is an illness primarily caused by exposure to chemicals such as zinc oxide zno, aluminium oxide al 2 o 3, or magnesium oxide mgo which are produced as byproducts in the fumes that result when certain metals are heated. Metal fume fever is one of a multitude of names for an acute, shortterm respiratory and systemic syndrome induced by inhalation of metal fumes, chiefly zinc oxide fume. Definition metal fume fever is an illness produced by inhaling metal oxide fumes. However, in case of cadmium, prolong illness can be expected and deaths have also been reported. The clinical presentation comprises of constitutional symptoms developing within several hours after exposure, and in most cases, spontaneous resolution after cessation of exposure is observed. M tal fume fever mff is a be nign, selflimited syndrome esulting from deposition of. It is caused by exposure to the fume of certain metals commonly zinc. Inhalation of dusts and fumes can cause metal fume fever. Other metals that have been reported to bring on the symptoms of metal fume fever include copper and cadmium. Metal fume fever is an acute industrial illness which follows the inhalation of finely dispersed particulate matter formed when certain metals are volatilized. Metal fume fever, also known as brass founders ague, brass shakes, zinc shakes, galvie flu, metal dust fever, welding shivers, or monday morning fever, is an illness primarily caused by exposure to chemicals such as zinc oxide zno, aluminium oxide al 2 o 3, or magnesium oxide mgo which are produced as byproducts in the fumes that result. Zinc, mangesium, iron and copper are chiefly the metals causing this condition. Long term exposures may result in bone and joint problems. Metal fume fever is an occupational hazard in metalworking industries.
Prolonged exposure to welding fume may cause lung damage and various types of cancer, including lung, larynx and urinary tract. Parasite infection sometimes intestinal flu symptoms are actually signs of parasite. If you work with metal oxide fumes, or other gases and develop these symptom it is important to have a doctor conduct a medical evaluation. Pdf metal fume fever mff is an important occupationalrelated illness resulting from inhalation of volatile metal oxides, especially zinc, that are. Symptoms can include a metallic or sweet taste in the mouth, sweating, shivering, headache, throat irritation, fever, chills, thirstiness, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Metal fume fever mff is an occupational disease caused by the inhalation of metal oxides, primarily zinc oxide. Metal fume fever is an acute allergic condition experienced by many welders during their. In case of overexposure to dusts or particulates, wash with soap and plenty of water. Metal fume fever among galvanized welders acta medica. I started at 10am am and ended at 6pm discounting the time i took off because my little welder only runs at 20% plus i had to stop to feed animals. I other terms associated with metal fume fever mff are brass founder, ague, spetter shakes, zinc chills, brass chills, zinc ague and monday morning fever. Metal fume fever metal fume fever is a clinical syndrome caused by inhalation of metalcontaining fumes generated by welding, galvanizing or smelting.
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