login
Become a member
Quick Registration
Full Registration Benefits -
Free Homepages for Doctors
Free Homepages for Hospitals
Free Homepages for Medical Conference
Free Homepages for NGO's
Personal Health Record Creation
Access to all Medical Slides
Access to all Jobs & Products Sale
Chinese-made Flame-retardant Uniform Makes Australian Workers Sick
The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) says more than 250 Ergon Energy workers in Queensland broke out in rashes and vomited after wearing new suits, rolled out recently at a cost of about $3.5 million. Ergon Energy is a state-owned corporation.
One man had welts that left his back numb, while others reported blistering and rashes covering their groins, arms and nipples.
Workers also claim the uniforms release a yellow, bubbling substance when ironed that causes nausea and vomiting.
Ergon has sent samples of the workwear for testing but the Electrical Trades Union is demanding a full recall.
While at least 143 workers have lodged health and safety complaints, ETU assistant secretary Peter Simpson said more than 250 workers were affected.
"We only got wind of the problems in August but it looks like a lot of the men were suffering the symptoms in silence," Simpson said.
Lodged complaints don't include members of the workers' families who also have reported symptoms after coming in contact with the uniforms.
Simpson said: "It is a serious issue. We don't know and they aren't telling us what the short and long-term effects of these things are.
"One doctor has advised an Ergon employee that the effects of the chemicals could be cumulative."
|
|
|
 Comment & Contribute
|
Medwonders Health Network
- Health News Index
- News Quick Links
| News Categories: |
| » | Scientists Develop Compound That Triggers Cancer Cell Death |
| » | Iraqi National Hopes to Find Affordable Treatment for His Cancer in India |
| » | New Technique can Help Doctors Detect Pancreatic Cancer |
| » | Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors Probed |
| » | Breast MRI 'Better Than Clinical Approach for Predicting Chemotherapy's Efficiency' |
| More Cancer News | |
|
