Chlorine dioxide

Epidemiological data

Administrative data

Endpoint:

epidemiological data

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

disregarded due to major methodological deficiencies

Study period:

no data

Reliability:

other: Not applicable for non-standard epidemiological study

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: see 'Remark'

Remarks:

This study does not properly describe and justify the recruitment procedures of the workers. The characterization of exposure is not adequate as atmospheric concentrations were not measured continuously. Consideration of bias and confounding factors is not done and statistics could not be done as the workers number is too low.

Cross-reference

Cross-reference 1

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

reference to same study

Cross-reference 2

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

reference to other study

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Health hazards from chlorine dioxide

Author:

Gloemme J. and Lundgren K.-D.

Year:

1957

Bibliographic source:

A.M.A. Archives of industrial health; 16(2):169-176

Materials and methods

Study type:

longitudinal study

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline available

Principles of method if other than guideline:

During 1953-1955 a number of workers at a large factory for the production of sulphite cellulose was examined. The investigation covered personnel engaged in the chlorine- and chlorine-dioxide-producing sections and the bleaching section. The clinical investigation consisted of comprehensive control about two years after the work on ClO2 had begun and a similar control after a further two years.

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Chlorine dioxide

EC Number:

233-162-8

EC Name:

Chlorine dioxide

Cas Number:

10049-04-4

Molecular formula:

ClO2

IUPAC Name:

Chlorine Dioxide

Details on test material:

The chlorine dioxide is produced by causing sulfur dioxide to reduce sodium chlorate in an acid solution.

Method

Type of population:

occupational

Ethical approval:

not specified

Details on study design:

METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION
- Type: Clinical tests
- Details: roentgenographic study of the sinuses, lungs, and heart; electrocardiograms; function tests with a cycle ergometer with simultaneous tracing of pulse and respiration frequency; bronchoscopy with biopsy of the bronchial mucosa and culture of any bronchial secretions, and spirometry, including determination of vital capacity, total capacity, residual lung volume.

STUDY PERIOD: no data

STUDY POPULATION
- Total population: 3 cases reported
- Selection criteria: no data
- Total number of subjects participating in study: 12
- Sex/age/race: men
- Smoker/non-smoker: no data
- Total number of subjects at end of study: no data
- Matching criteria: no data

COMPARISON POPULATION
- Type: None

Exposure assessment:

not specified

Details on exposure:

TYPE OF EXPOSURE: Under ordinary working conditions.

TYPE OF EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT: Spot samples are carried out with the method given by Giertz.

EXPOSURE LEVELS: about 0.1 ppm. No information on the concentrations which have occured or may be expected due to technical faults.

EXPOSURE PERIOD: no data

POSTEXPOSURE PERIOD: 4 years (2 controls, 2 and 4 years after exposure)

DESCRIPTION / DELINEATION OF EXPOSURE GROUPS / CATEGORIES: the investigation here reported concern only men whose main symptoms appeared after they began to work with chlorine dioxide.

Statistical methods:

Not done

Results and discussion

Results:

EXPOSURE
- Number of measurements: no data
- Average concentrations: 0.1 ppm

FINDINGS
Chronic bronchitis in about half the men examined was observed. Physical signs were absent except in 2 men with acute exposure shortly before the examination. In most cases the findings were similar in 1953 and 1955. In one an earlier-observed bronchitis disappeared, indicating that improved working conditions may entail reversal of this disorder. In one of the workers who was transferred to a non-exposed job about half a year before the second examination, the signs of bronchitis persisted but the spirometry results were better. This indicated that the bronchitis may be chronic, caused either by the chlorine dioxide or by another factor (e.g. infection).

Confounding factors:

Not evaluated

Strengths and weaknesses:

Not evaluated

Any other information on results incl. tables

No other information

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

This investigation does not allow of a closer estimation of a treshold limit for chlorine dioxide.

Executive summary:

During 1953-1955 a number of workers at a large factory for the production of sulphite cellulose was examined. The investigation covered personnel engaged in the chlorine- and chlorine-dioxide-producing sections and the bleaching section. The clinical investigation consisted of comprehensive control about two years after the work on ClO2 had begun and a similar control after a further two years.

Technical investigations showed low concentrations (< 0.1 ppm) under ordinary working conditions. Higher concentrations occured in connection with technical faults, e.g. leakage. Severe troubles arose only in connection with the latter.

Symptoms and signs were irritation from the respiratory organs and the eyes, and in certain cases from the gastrointestinal tract also. No indications of cerebral effect could be shown.

Slight bronchitis was shown in 7 of 12 workers exposed to Chlorine dioxide.

This investigation does not allow of a closer estimation of a treshold limit for chlorine dioxide.