[Hygienic evaluation of the occupational risk in working with Bulgarian bentonite raw material]

The use of bentonite in various branches of industry, and first of all, in foundry workshops, grows rapidly. The literature data on health injuries by bentonite dust are rather contradictory: due primarily, to the changeable mineralogical composition of the raw material from different deposits. That requires a specific hygienic assessment of each deposit in exploitation. The authors studied the mineral composition, quantitative ratio of the mineral components and morphology of the particles from the respirable fraction of aerosol in the extraction of Bulgarian bentonite. The microscopic mineralogical analysis in phase contrast, established a basic mass of clay minerals, confirmed by the X-ray structural analysis. The free silicic oxide is presented by low-temperature crystobalite and quartz, more rarely opal and chalcedony. Its quantity does not surpass 1-2%. The experimental studies on experimental animals confirmed fibrosis, degree I and II, according to Belt and King. The clinical studies on the workers established the presence of reticular changes in the lungs, type S and L, according to ILO-UC classification. The hygienic characteristic of the Bulgarian bentonite provided grounds for its broad application as a substitute for more dangerous raw materials, quartz sand in the foundries, in particular. Regardless of its advantages, bentonite is not harmless. The adherence to MAC for dustiness and periodic control of the quartz content in the raw material and aerosol in the working environment, are compulsory.