Abstract

CABRERA-MARUTZ, C.D.; VELASQUEZ-ALCALA, S.  and  VRHOVAC-BILJESKO, J.. Occupational diseases in copper industry: extraction, manufacturing and recycling. Med. segur. trab. [online]. 2014, vol.60, n.237, pp.756-778. ISSN 1989-7790.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0465-546X2014000400010.

Introduction: Due to its characteristics, copper is used in a variety of applications in the energy industry. Its many uses, along with the expansion and evolution of the various industrial sectors, constitute it a vital piece for the sustainable development of the society. The mining industry, the mining process, recycling and its transformation generates wealth, creates jobs and in turn it may mean a potential risk for the development of occupational diseases. Objective: To do a literature review to identify the main diseases related to copper industry. Methodology: A literature search was conducted in the following databases: MEDLINE (PUBMED), OSH UPDATE, IBECS and LILACS. Scientific literature was reviewed for possible occupational diseases in the copper industry. Results: A total of 16 scientific articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study, we grouped them into 4 categories: lung cancer and respiratory tract diseases-10 articles; 6 articles describing chronic respiratory diseases (pneumoconiosis, COPD); 5 articles related to other types of cancers (urothelial cancers, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, stomach, bladder, colon, bone and liver) and 2 articles reporting contact allergies. Conclusions: The main diseases among industrial workers were lung cancer and respiratory system diseases. On the second place were chronic respiratory diseases. Mining was the most affected sector. There is a poor scientific literature which identifies the occurrence of occupational diseases related to copper recycling.

Keywords : Copper; mining; occupational diseases; recycling; manufacturing; foundry.

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