الفهرس 
Phosphate rocksOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Background: Phosphate fertilizer industry is considered one of the most polluting industries in the Egyptian environment. Many environmental and health hazards occur.Objectives: To assess the workers’ health status, health hazards and the application of safety measures in Kafr El-Zayat factory for single super phosphate fertilizers and commercial sulfuric acid.Subjects & Methods: A cross-sectional study that included all workers (180 workers) in the production sector in Kafr El-Zayat factory which is affiliated to the Egyptian Financial and Industrial Company (EFIC). The study tools were interview questionnaire & environmental inspection checklist.Spirometric measurements for workers with respiratory manifestations and/or abnormal chest examination and environmental monitoring of total dust,sulfur dioxide, hydrogen fluoride, and noise were done and recorded.Results: A total of 180 exposed workers with a mean age of 47. 34±9.23 years were included. Rhinitis (49.3%), cough (38.9%) and expectoration(38.3%) were the most frequent respiratory manifestations. Recurrent conjunctivitis (55.6%), difficulty of hearing (30%), Contact dermatitis (15%), and Gum & teeth disorders (14.4%) were commonly reported.Fifty-one workers (28.33%) showed abnormal spirometric measurements.The mean percentage for applied safety measures was 45.2% ±22.1.Environmental monitoring records revealed that levels of hydrogen fluoride,sulfur dioxide, noise and total dust were within the permissible levels according to the Egyptian environmental laws.Conclusion & recommendations: There was a defect in the safety measures application that was reflected on workers’ health and the environment. So,strict supervision and penalty for application of standard safety measures are essential.