電光ニュース発信機操作についての調査

Abstract

Measurments of mercury concentrations in the atmosphere within three operating-rooms of an electric news board were conducted, and medical examinations were carried out on 11 workers from May 12 to June 10, 1958. Mercury concentrations above operating machines and perforated paper were 1.04-1.8mg/m3 and over (the limit of the detector was 1.8mg/m3). When the machine was operating, mercury concentrations in the room except at the place above mentioned were 0.13-0.77mg/m3 with good ventilation and 0.32-1.8mg/m3 and over with poor ventilation. When the machine was not in operation, mercury concentrations in the room were 0.02-0.13mg/m3 with good ventilation and 0.13-1.45mg/m3 with poor ventilation. Sources of mercury vapour in the room were considered to be mercury being spilt in the floor, mercury contained in the vessel of the operating machine, and that adherring to the perforated paper. While the machine was not in operation, mercury which had adhered to the perforated paper during the operation in the preceeding night seemed to constitute the main source. Even when the vessel containing mercury was enclosed with a cover and the inside of the enclosure was mechanically exhausted, the mercury concentration in the room exceeded the maximum permissible concentration. Where the vessel containing mercury as well as the perforated paper were enclosed with an exhausting booth, mercury concentrations in the room were far less than the maximum permissible concentration. Proteinuria was found in 2 workers, and increased excretion of urobilinogen in urine in 3 workers. Mercury concentrations in worker's urine were determined to be 0-104.0γ/l (aver. 28.8γ/l). No symptoms of stomatitis, tremor, etc. could be found.