All blood samples analyzed
All 231 blood samples taken in October 1997 from the employees at the tunnel project in Hallandsås have now been analyzed. The blood samples provide an indication of the extent to which the employees were exposed to acrylamide. The hemoglobin-adduction values, the measure of the exposure to acrylamide, is distributed nearly the same as the results from the first analyses, which were reported in November 1997. The values are between 0.02 and 4.3 nmol/gram hemoglobin, except for a single value at about 17.
ALL BLOOD SAMPLES ANALYZED
All 231 blood samples taken in October 1997 from the employees at the tunnel project in Hallandsås have now been analyzed. The blood samples provide an indication of the extent to which the employees were exposed to acrylamide. The hemoglobin-adduction values, the measure of the exposure to acrylamide, is distributed nearly the same as the results from the first analyses, which were reported in November 1997. The values are between 0.02 and 4.3 nmol/gram hemoglobin, except for a single value at about 17.
"The person with the high adduction value had duties which resulted in a high exposure to Rhoca Gil. However, he has not developed other or more severe health problems than the other tunnel workers," says Lars Hagmar, Professor at the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Clinic in Lund.
"In total, 38 persons have an adduction value exceeding 1.0. This is the provisional limit at which it is considered that a risk exists that a nerve effect could arise," Lars Hagmar says.
To confirm the theory that the adduction values decline over time, repeated blood samples have been taken from a number of persons.
"The results to date support the theory that the adduction values are expected to be down to the normal levels after four months," reports Lars Hagmar.
Since April, medical examination are being carried out on the 50 persons who underwent neurophysiological testing at the University Hospital in Lund (MAS) this autumn. In conjunction with these follow-up examinations, an assessment is also being made of any possible work injuries caused by the Rhoca Gil grouting agent.
"The results of these examinations are expected to be completed after the summer," says Lars Hagmar.
"It is a positive development for everyone in the project that we will soon have the results of the medical examinations and can then draw conclusions about the incident," says Jan Stattin, Skanska's project manager.
Båstad, Sweden, May 19, 1998
SKANSKA SVERIGE
Information
For further information, contact: Professor Lars Hagmar, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Clinic in Lund. Tel: +46 46 17 31 85. Jan Stattin, Project Manager, Skanska. Tel: +46 431 782 01, or Lisa Lindh, Information Manager, Skanska Sweden. Tel: +46 40 14 41 41.