The investigation of the custer of patients suspected of receiving chemical in a frozen fish carrier Hua Khao Subdistrict, Singha Nakhon District, Songkhla Province, 1-8 November 2019

Abstract

This descriptive epidemiological study in which the main objectives were finding the measures for control and prevent injuries from freon leakage. The study beginning with the investigation of diseases, clinical of patients illness, collecting gas samples, interview the witnesses and environmental survey. The results was found that the incident occurred in a Panama ship loaded with frozen tuna from the Pacific Ocean which weighing 4,047 tons. There was a freon leak on October 28, 2019. The boat had been repaired. There were 25 people injured with no deaths. 6 patients received emergency room treatment, 6 (24 %) of patients had no hospitalization, 10 (38.5 %) had a burning sensation of nose and throat, 8 (26.9 %) had dizziness, 6 (23.0 %) had unconsciousness, 5 (19.2 %) had nausea and vomiting, 3 (12.0 %) had sensation of numb limbs weakness, 3 (11.6 %) had irritant conjunctiva and 2 (7.7 %) had palpitations. The average recovering time from all of symptoms were 2 hours. Patients were found to work in the second and third positions of the ship.  The first patient started to get sick on October 28, 2019 and the latest on November 5, 2019. Most of them live in Sub-district Hua Khao District Singha Nakorn, which is close to the deep-water port. The air quality measurements results on the boat had measured the levels of oxygen, methane, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and carbon monoxide before work and repeated measurements which no abnormal values were found. We do not measure freon levels because there are no tools and analytical agencies. We suggest for incorporate guidance for working in the ship. When the air quality is found to be normal then open the lid for at least 30 minutes before allowing work.