Workplace monitoring and occupational health studies at the centre for production of phosphorus mineral fertilizers, Voskresensk (Moscow Region, Russia), using nuclear and related analytical techniques. Part 1

This paper contains the preliminary data obtained while monitoring the workplaces of the 'Mineral Fertilizers' plant in Voskresensk (Moscow Region), one of the largest centres for production of phosphorus mineral fertilizers in Russia. The most typical associations of element-pollutants in the shops of the plant were determined by means of XRFA, AAS and NAA. The maximal pollution by dust particulates and the highest concentrations for Na, Ca, Sc, Cr, Fe, As, Sb, Sr, REE, and Th at the loading-unloading sites of the shops were revealed. The level of trace element concentrations in the biosubstrates of the occupational staff (hair, nails, teeth) reflects the sustained and systematic impact of air pollutants in the working area of the plant on its occupational staff. Due to the considerable emissions of fluorine in the technological process, the necessity of assessing the fluorine accumulation in the occupational staff is emphasized