Acute methemoglobinemia - A common occupational hazard in an industrial city in western India

Cases of acute methemoglobinemia reported to the Poison Information Centre at NIGH over a period of six years from 1993 to 1999 were analyzed. Of 1067 acute poisonings, there were 30 cases of acute methemoglobinemia, the majority of which were due to occupational exposures. The causative agents were mostly aromatic nitro amino compounds used as intermediates in the manufacture of dyes. Diagnosis of acute methemoglobinemia was made on the basis of clinical presentation and occupational history. A particular occupation viz. washing chemical contaminated plastic bags was responsible for many cases of methemoglobinemia. This report highlights the risk of acute poisoning among workers in the small scale chemical industry and also among self employed workers handling toxic chemicals.