The frequency of toxic methemoglobinemias in people living in the vicinity of refuse dumps in Barycz.

In the paper a thorough study of the influence of the methemoglobin levels and the occurrence of certain syndromes of clinical symptoms was made in the inhabitants living in the immediate vicinity of the large refuse dumps. During a 2.5-day clinical hospitalization the following examinations were done: general medical, specialistic and neuropsychological examinations, biochemical-analytical examination, EKG, chest X-ray, USG of the abdominal cave, spirometric tests, toxicological investigation of body fluids: carboxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, lactates. The air pollution was measured and included: continuous measurement of the suspended particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide and the sum of nitrogen oxides. The evaluation of the refuse dumps gas showed that its main compounds were: carbon dioxide, methane in the amount of a few volume percent. Other pollutants were: carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, methane homologues and aromatic hydrocarbons. The results of biochemical investigations were within normal limit. The elevated methemoglobin levels were found in 8 patients. The increased values of blood lactate concentration were found in 14 people and in 8 people the elevation of carboxyhemoglobin level was noted. The results of toxicological investigation do not unequivocally indicate the occurrence of toxic methemoglobinemia. However, the elevated levels of methemoglobin and lactates indicate a slight degree of oxygen deficiency in the body. In the examined people typical symptoms of methemoglobinemia were not observed, the only symptoms which may indicate their impact on the central nervous system were frequent headaches and neurovegetative disorders.