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Car plant health shock
Oct 1 2004
By Alison Dayani, Evening Mail
More than 70 workers at a Birmingham car engines factory are feared to have been struck down by a serious lung disease.
Now 1,200 workers at Powertrain are to be screened as part of an investigation into MG Rover's Longbridge plant.
Two potentially fatal lung diseases - alveoli-tis and occupational asthma - have been diagnosed and inspectors have teamed up with respiratory experts from Birmingham Chest Clinic to identify whether conditions and chemicals used at the plant are to blame.
Marcia Davies, Health and Safety Executive spokeswoman, said 73 people had already been diagnosed as "definitely or probably" suffering from these conditions with more cases expected. "This is a very unfortunate and worrying outbreak of occupational lung disease," she said. "The microbes in the metalworking fluids, which may have caused the diseases, are now being adequately and most people affected are still able to work."
Employees are being asked to wear facemasks or respirators while at work as a protection measure.
A spokeswoman for Powertrain Limited, the sister company of MG Rover, today said they were aware of only 15 employees with lung diseases.
Chemicals
is no conclusive link at this point that the Powertrain plant has causes these illnesses," she said. refused to reveal what chemicals are used at the plant but said: "We use the same chemicals and substances as the other similar firms in the country."
An investigation was launched when five cases of lung disease among workers at the company emerged in March.
International research shows occupational asthma and alveolitis can be caused by breathing in microbes present in the mist or vapour given off when metalworking machines are operating.
Dr Alistair Robertson, respiratory consultant at Birmingham Chest Clinic, said allergic reactions to funghi and certain chemicals could cause both diseases and lead to life-long breathlessness, scaring of the lungs and in rare cases death.
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