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Case Reports
. 2013 Nov 1;25(1):31.
doi: 10.1186/2052-4374-25-31.

Two cases of methemoglobinemia induced by the exposure to nitrobenzene and aniline

Chang Hwan Lee, Soo Hyeon Kim, Do Hyung Kwon, Keun Ho Jang, Yong Hoon Chung, Jai Dong Moon  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Two cases of methemoglobinemia induced by the exposure to nitrobenzene and aniline

Chang Hwan Lee et al. Ann Occup Environ Med. .

Abstract

Objective: To report two cases of methemoglobinemia induced by inhaled nitrobenzene and dermally absorbed aniline.

Methods: We have evaluated a 37-year-old male worker exposed to nitrobenzene by inhalation while conducting maintenance job of mononitrobenzene pump and a 25-year-old male worker exposed dermally to aniline while unloading.

Results: The first case is a 37-year-old male exposed to nitrobenzene. His blood methemoglobin concentration level was initially 19.8%, and chest X-ray was normal. After oxygen therapy, the blood methemoglobin concentration level decreased to 2.1%, and the symptoms were alleviated. The second case is a 25-year-old male exposed dermally to aniline. His chest X-ray was normal, but blood methemoglobin concentration level reached maximally 46.8%. He was treated with methylene blue due to relatively high blood methemoglobin level. Gradually after the treatment, his methemoglobin concentration level was normalized to 0.8% and simultaneously symptoms were resolved.

Conclusions: After the thorough exposure investigations and medical evaluations, we have concluded that these cases were methemoglobinemia induced by occupational exposure to nitrobenzene and aniline. We suggest that businesses which handle methemoglobinemia-causing substances control the engineering process strictly, implement periodic screening, and establish emergency patient management system.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic diagram showing the principal operations leading to the production of MDI.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Skin irritation of upper and lower eyelids of both sides. (A) Left eyelids. (B) Right eyelids.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Skin lesions of antecubital fossa of both arms. (A) Left antecubital fossa. (B) Right antecubital fossa.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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