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Visual disturbances after industrial triethylamine exposure

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Summary

Among 19 workers in a polyurethane foam production plant, visual disturbances (“foggy vision”, “blue haze”, and sometimes halo phenomena) were reported on a total of 47 occasions by five workers over 11 weeks. The symptoms were associated with triethylamine exposure. Time-weighted average levels of 12 to 13 mg/m3 were recorded at work operations associated with symptoms, and 4 to 5 mg/m3 at other tasks. Twice as high peak levels were recorded. A detailed medical examination of the five affected workers in a free interval did not reveal any signs of permanent eye disease.

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Åkesson, B., Bengtsson, M. & Florén, I. Visual disturbances after industrial triethylamine exposure. Int. Arch Occup Environ Heath 57, 297–302 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00406184

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00406184

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