Toxicovigilance
by NIOH Poison Information Centre
Benzene
poisoning in Diamond Workers
On 21st June 2005, three cases
of Aplastic anemia were brought to the notice
of Poison
information Centre. All were young males
who had been working in a diamond cutting and
polishing unit at Surat for the
past 2 years. They had been using
a solvent along with a
whitener for marking the rough facets on
diamonds. GC MS analysis of the solvent at NIOH
showed it to be pure Benzene.
All cases are undergoing treatment at various hospitals
in
Ahmedabad and these hospitals have
been regularly calling NIOH
Poison Centre for
poisoning related cases.
NIOH Poison Centre swung into action
and the Dept of Industrial Health and Safety
was
notified about the incident. The problem was
reported to the media and it was highlighted in
newspapers and television. Govt of Gujarat
has initiated immediate action to
carry out
surveys in diamond industries. The diamond
industry has also issued directives to ban the
use of Benzene with immediate effect.
National Institute of Occupational Health in collaboration
with the Dept. of Industrial Safety and
Health is going to undertake an epidemiological study in Diamond
workers to determine health
risks as a result of benzene exposures.
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Health & Safety delivery: Scopes and Challenges
30th September 1st October, 2008
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Occupational Health
3rd to 5th October, 2008
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workshop Lifestyle diseases and Occupation
5th to 7th November, 2008
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