Nitrate headache in blasting work

Abstract

A 34-year-old white male was executing blasting works in an operation of a quarry several times a month during a period of 1 year. Each time he worked with explosives, he complained of headache, vertigo and concentration failure which started shortly after beginning and continued several hours after. The results of the physical examination on a day without blasting works were normal. Because of the exact working parallel appearance of the symptoms we did further explorations at the workplace which showed the usage of nitroglycerin blasting agents without observance of the safety regulations. The symptoms only at blasting workdays with normal clinical findings at break led considering the relation with the occupational conditions to the diagnosis "headache due to exposure to nitroglycerin explosives". It was reported to the employer's liability insurance association as an occupational disease with the aim of improving occupational conditions. Occupational toxic agents as a potential trigger of unclear headache support the requirement of an exact anamnesis of working conditions and environment.