special subjects
Metal Fume Fever and Polymer Fume Fever
Introduction
Metal fume feveris usually caused by occupational exposure to fumes that contain metal and are produced during welding and related processes.Polymer fume feveris caused by exposure to specific fluorinated polymer products, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, known as Teflon®). Metal fume fever usually results from inhaling zinc fumes. Metal fume fever and polymer fume fever cause similar symptom, such as fever, chills, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and headache. Doctors diagnose both disorders based on exposure to the metal or polymer product fumes and the characteristic symptoms. Measures to relieve symptoms (such as drugs to reduce fever) are usually used, but if people have difficulty breathing, mechanical ventilation may be needed. In the 1970s, metal fume fever was fairly common among welders. Almost a third of welders aged 20 to 59 years had a least one episode during their career. Because safety regulations have improved, metal fume fever is less common today. About 1,500 to 2,500 cases occur each year in the United States. Metal fume fever may also occur in welders outside the workplace, such as artists or hobbyists who weld. Metal fume fever usually involves inhaling zinc. Polymer fume fever causes symptoms that are similar to those of metal fume fever, but it is caused by exposure to fume produced when polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon®) is heated to high temperatures. Exposure to PTFE fume due to overheating of Teflon® cookware in home kitchens has resulted in polymer fume fever in people and death for pet birds. Because workplace safety in the United States has improved, polymer fume fever in the workplace is less common today. 