[The effect of desferrioxamine in aluminum-processing workers]

The presence of aluminium, iron, copper, zinc and manganum was evaluated in workers who were professionally exposed to aeropollution, especially to metals i.e. aluminium (n = 25) and workers who were not exposed to toxic noxe (= 18). The instantaneous presence of metal concentrations in the blood and urine was not a sufficient sign in the evaluation of the body burden. The intramuscular administration of desferrioxamine had a significant effect on the mobilization of iron- and aluminium-depots. On the basis of increased aluminium elimination, changed values of total transferrin (TIBC) and increased activity of alkaline phosphatase in the serum provoked by desferrioxamine it was possible to evaluate the presence of aluminium in exposed workers. According to the obtained results desferrioxamine had no effect on copper, zinc and manganum in the organism of these workers.