Hygienic aspects of working conditions in the modern production of aluminum

Introduction. The production of primary aluminum is one of the leading and belonging to the category of an increased health hazard for workers in the economy, which requires close attention to working conditions while modernizing production technology.

Material and methods. The research methodology included a comprehensive study of working conditions and assessment of priority occupational risk factors, an in-depth study of the morphology, dispersed and component composition of dust and gas components air-suspended at different technologies of electrolysis of aluminum.

Results. The leading production factors of occupational risk, degrees are fluorine-containing compounds, dust and gas-aerosol mixtures in the form of separate and assembled into agglomerates micro- and nanostructured particles of complex chemical composition (fluorine, carbon, aluminum, sodium, oxygen, silicon, iron, sulfur, chromium, nickel, etc.), unfavorable microclimate, electromagnetic field, noise, vibration, physical loads, which are related to the 3^rd (harmful) class of 1 to 3 degree.

Discussion. Modernization of aluminum production with the introduction of technology of pre-baked anodes allows significantly improve working conditions, reduce the admission of harmful chemical substances into the air of the working area, with the exception of hydrofluoride, the concentration of which exceeds extremely permissible levels in 1.5-3.1 times. Noteworthy is the fact of the detection of aerosols of disintegration and condensation, including particles of nanoscale range, impurities of heavy metals in the air. The consequences of the effect of such complex combination mixtures, their combined effects with other factors on the body, can have pronounced negative effects, which is important with adequate exposure analysis and personalized assessment of the health risks of workers engaged in the production of aluminum.

Conclusion. Working conditions at workplaces with the technology of self-baking anodes are characterized by moderate or severe professional risk, with the technology of pre-baked anodes — mild or moderate risk, which makes the urgent problem of further improvement of aluminum production technologies, detailed analysis of personal exposures of harmful substances for a correct assessment of the health risk of workers, is relevant.