The production of what metal has led to pulmonary fibrosis and progressive encephalopathy among potroom workers, also known as “potroom asthma” and “potroom palsy”?
Aluminum. Potroom workers exposed to high concentrations of aluminum dust mixed with mineral-oil based lubricants developed pulmonary fibrosis or “aluminosis”. Some also developed progressive encephalopathy termed “potroom palsy”, with balance problems, intention tremors, decreased cognitive ability, impaired memory initially described in 1962.
McLaughlin AI, et al. Pulmonary fibrosis and encephalopathy associated with the inhalation of aluminum dust. Br J Ind Med. 1962; 19:253-263.
Contributed by Catherine Dong, MD
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