Document BygoNdKxOrq5RkDeM51XMzwQm

PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT >b X 1 * -v f * ' ?? .mm ssma daa& smsiM At Jflybatna-flnn]iaUt.a Inc. l&nhnla, ?*. `i'/t/v ** A snrreywas aeds of thin' plant on SUrch 14, If, 16, 17, SO, 21 nod 22, 1939 Thin report supplements reports made on el alter surveys conducted la 1930, 1935, ad 1938. The manufacturing operetlone at the time of tills surrey sore the i seae as la the previous surveys* A fee chances have since been made la the relocation of aachlaas and la the application of ekhauat systems for the eolleo* tion and removal of generated dnsts* uch changes are noted In the remarks oolumn in the following tables of results* The asms sequence of sample numbers has been followed as In the previous reports* f 1 D. S. aSBhSTJS Division Ot RAYBSSTOS-kANHArrA'I. INC. ^ a- Saapla No. Location of Staple at Cu. Ft. Air Sanpled Total Count of Ullllons of PsrtlcUs Tjrot per eublc foot of sir of Tuft Rfwrks 1 Preparing or opening roon 3/15/37 38,0 1 res of vtrilotl opener and iftoktr ior*rs| isichlnci *19 and 39 8.0 Asbestos Ths eiVust fsn In silt1.ir iiuVp hood h'-o b^*n lonef.-J to 4 f*et froa t`.i floor rr' Its csoclty '.oer:>.sd Approtlaatsl/ hslf th" botch ml'In? le dons outtld* Ur hood. 2 it operator's position on 3/16/39 46.0 iooa #946 5.2 Asbestos This position Is and ' n*-r the eheera cotton rhlch are being enclosed end * ezhsusUd. 4 Betveen 11 and 2 chaser*} 3/14/39 56.0 machinal 12 snd 3 4.0 Asbestos Thtsc chu^ra ara i bainj provld?4 rit \ erhrurt hoo'ir* j 6 it loading end of tenden 3/15/39 56.0 vertical opener} machine #15 3 it discharge end of tendon 3/15/39 45.0 vertiesl oponerj isucaine 146 5.2 2.5 ' Asbestos and action The exh*.ust hoivi hna batrv tended to cover tha conreyor ani truck Into rhtch th* *et*rl*l fJrooa. 1 j , j i * J Gsnsrl elr smpIs Ukn 3/U/39 at senior of the opening' root % 44.0 left ! The additional looms pitood In this daps.rtai'nt rom not In oo*-rstlon rhen t.hls sample was taken. 7 At Millais crusher 3/15/39 38.0 7* At Qient eutter 3/15/39 36.0 2.6 3.0 * Ho rrpte nntcrlol on th floor at the tiao thla aaainlo mf t/kr-n* f | I Semple <") r/ic t*k~ at the olek-r vhlch.hoc sins* been ellsilnsted. No evhsuct nnnlled to tills 'ischlne. The Dtterlsl dlcchorgos onto the floor. i I t injjmawwwgijmm-i i^muji 6capl Do. Location of Staple Date Cu. it, .Air Saapled tt& taau - 2nd tlaar, dtpi. i 0 it operator' s position, cards 1, 2, 7 43 10 Condensing aseblna #360 3/21/39 42.0 44.6 12 Dept. 2 Between cards 1 and 7, a*chines #232 and 242, at taka-off aids. U Between cards 7 and 13, aachlaas #232 sal 242, addle aids. 3/20/39 42.0 u.o 11 Between cards 3 and 9, Machines #255 and 261, at take-off side 42.0 1) Between cards 9 and 15, 43.5 acchlnes #234 and 248, saddle side 16 Bstween cards 5 and 12, tfehines #257 sad 263, take-off aids. 43.5 15 Between ciiria 12 end IS, 3/21/39 43.5 atchina #264# saddle side 17 Between cards 16 and 22, 3/20/39 35.6 tebioes #266 end 270, take-off side. IS Between cards 13 sad 20, 36.0 machines #258 and 267, taka * * off side. 19 Between cords 17 end 23, i/3i/y) 51.5 machines #271 and 276, take-off side. Total Count of Million* of Pftrttcles Tyne of 1.5 Asbestds and cotton 2.5 ' 1.7 a 2.6 a 3.0 1.7 2.3 a 1.8 1.8 a 2.2 a !.l Remarks Tne #;xhftust cystca on the cards is the s&ae as in 19^8. bo bagging of tat*rlnl it tins this sample was taken, Erboust hood sppll-d over loading trucks. * I r i t i dule Bnt nnlnw Pa at. 20 Bstwsen wules 1 end 2 21 Between wales 5 and 6 22 ' it ihitln spoolers, Machine #416 3/17/39 a a 29.0 34.0 34.0 2.7 2.7 *' 3.2 a a a Both Khitln spoolers now enclosed and exhausted. I! ) X j jifu sag mTf!1 "t* HijTT'nvt- np*LNMH| . V.; * ^m>'8.fr t '* IfN - S c? s8 1s o 5 ' b) . to "* ** O t, Q. S_ au a o 3 4> T3 On h ih i** CO 4 a H 0* o a o 3 3 o0 m <* CM o t*\ C\ r* * r*> Ocn* & (cVv 1 O t* a Ih a* u 0o a. no 0i *4 <r\ y y st r* (n iwfgjwi 1 iL^. ,1'UJ'JU. 1 M*vns**'" ' , s~. ! '\ , V ' ' :i v*3wr ,,Lr',i^v?|l.*i*>|wM"/. '4 , 1 1 r 6spU . Location of pU Not but* LLJ AHaLTSES Cu. it. Air CeieplaC Billions of Pertlole* UHllgrnfl nC per p*r Cu> ______------------------------------ i Clutch tacln.< bant. 50 At Campbell cutter, 3/22/39 aachlne *2321 51 1. At Campbell clutch feeing segment cutter, machine #1156 * 52 Bend lending teblei * 1; Dept, >59 center cf eendrela a> 94 Prett end MiitAey surface grinder, echlne #2340 ' * 57 At Gerdner grinder #14, eeohlne H566 * 34.0 35.6 27.0 31.0 34.2 29.6 4.3 2.5 5.0 2.2 5.6 3.3 JltXieTIVE 0.06 0.261 0.07 0.124 0.07 53 At Blnncherd grinder* machine# #1579 end 1675 27.3 60 Between Gerdner grinder " #7# end #2 drill, i echlne #1593 i i i 42.0 i w Drilling echlne #2346 * ~ end 1654 43.0 \ 63 Segment grinding, echlne #2257 * 42.0 61 letee tender, echlne #733 * 40.3 9.3 3.1 1.8 2.8 2.9 0.459 0.233 0.039 0.304 0.133 ( ' Lead Intake per Remarks ____ .___ ________ . 0.6 Exhaust applied to this opera tion. 2.61 9 *onn nor working es coopered with 5 in 1938. 0.7 1.24 This machine exhausted. 0.7 This msehlnt exhausted; at times pieces being ground rs too large ' for hood end the operator then raises the hood, defecting the purpose. 4.59 2.33 The dust collector now located outside the departoent. 0.39 This nechlne exhausted. 3.04 This nechlne has been relo cated end exhausted since 193 surrey. Formerly sample #49. 1.33 This machine exhausted. - t .j 9 ^ ; t . I i ; i | l j l I I 1 wiwwy /- *r - &-. - ^dagT. r- '^Vi'rV v "^wp cMcmaiam. Am MmMmmoua I j:; Tb# duct coocBtrtlea ro eoapcreblo to thoro round in th 19# 4 ittrv*7 Load eoncoatratlanc la genaral arc lo*r Thla cay bo do* to Inoroaccd < 'v [ 1 ' > . wuiit iff ffftfM 9r tho notarial blsf worked iwjr b*r# a lowor lord Xt i CUfgeotod that tho proctnt prograa of ontending and inprowlng . , axhauat *v>tpaoat hw continued* Ci x. C ( t &m---r-r-rr-^p: 'irr'nTn <r-T* ;<>" i .... ............. 'wi.ympwp if i n iii.|iU|iu|.il,WM....tu f g r * \ S999 93g SIS______99 90 ST 90 ,,60 'JO 60 SO 40 30 zo to 3 Z r go a z OJ acs Percentage frequency o f occurrence of duet particles -9- Itrsutioci Elant, The Stratford plant engages In tho manufacture of molded brake lining, molded clutch facing and packing, The molded type brake lining is made in two different processes. One typ9 Is ms.da by mixing ftabjotoa, rubber, Utlurga, mica, whitinr, pulphur, zino oxide and high test gasoline in a mixer. This mixture is formed into sheets by ordinary rubber mills with heated rolls. Tho sheets are cut into strips for brake lining. The second type is mado of a mixture of rubber, asbestos, lith arge, sulphur, zino oxide and resin. This dry mixture is mado into sheets by means of an hydraulic press. The sheets are cured in steam-heated presses. Strips for brake lining are cut from these sheets. Both types of lining are ground to width and thickness on Gardner grinders or Blanchard grinders. The lining iff formed into arcs in heated presses and holes are drilled for rivets on automatic drill presses. Molded type clutch facing is made from asbestos board. Asbestos and water are mixed in beaters to a pulp. This pulp is made into sheets on wet process machines. The sheets are driod in ovons and rolled to thickness in calenders* The large sheets are cut .into strips from which the clutch facing rings are punched. The rings are impregnated in large tanks. Different speci fications call for different saturants. The rings are ground to thickness on Blanchard grinders. The inside diameters are ground in internal grinders and the outside diameters are ground on external grinders. Rivet holes are drilled on automatic drillers. The finished clutch facing is than inspected -10- bafore packing for shipment. Shoot packing is made from a mixture of asbestos, rubber, lithargo, whiting, sulphur, zinc oxide and high test gasoline. These > ' * materials are miked in closed mixers. The wet mix is nede into largo shoots in mills with heated rolls. It is either sold in largo sheets or it is cut into gaskets or rings on punch presses. The vapor arising from tho heated rolls, due to the gasoline, is collected by hoods and pipes and reclaimed in two large con densers. The following tables show the results of analyses of air samples taken at representative positions: i \ i M la. iuu sa tni>u u idiijijMHStfijJia. is- It Mlter4, ioJn, I*U 1* tn>UH Cm. 21# Up UaplW lilllMI #/ 2artl#l#a par A. ft. ill 0fU4 UUiPM / PaMKIi*, )IA tfclA 10 Altran# la (r**t*lt Alia Mf * ft. IP AUllcrM* *r kill) {TW Uu ,rnr tv. ft. Af Wo Mr if bAlf MUr f Alp U4 fk** Ik Alll|(fl P*f !9>Af </ Mil* Af ijpImi t-r*U.|r< 10 **At< MUn / ir 'Uti-k 1 U(l t Oa*raJ Up, kat*a i ii#!-# /U M 12 s TaPa it fill #1 Airttaal * Irtli tu<K 4 Qantpkl ilr katAiti A al>r* *i, 1, 11 Oil 1 tU| At fill #1 l)2 *! ' * At Ult apmr, trvt* WU( niiaoi im trwk *ovt ilr frM tpiMf 1_ 1 Oaaapal alr tun mat ]*ir ikMf u4 p\tMfe inim OaUaaa tlW MMUI #u mi u* 41)1 rOi 1UI4 10 OaMPAI AlPi 1U'I MAT PmUm nAiMir uu uu> II At Ift WlklM /J 1 j1 u u At MWt r UAlH An mui <iri iunm IW fifla* *Wta art mU mImIm Wrl IaU *4lUM LA*/)i u 0l>rl tip, Ulll MAP MllU'tP f*r ffMlllf UlllUI AafrO u W* MAA #4AlP*4 u u 1n 1' u 11 * u It Atf, lM|AtlAA f trAka UltN OiMral tr, lufun r Utek faclaf a* hrak* Ualif him* K'f *k^ip /) >d it, cvtilag (iWrtti At itiMkrt crlUAp A lUUl faUf AatTM* J IWI At luptili* Mtttui Mr mi Ual'4 At eurlM>*U fPlaAr lltttl MlU httm 1 tot At MUUtU WU f*AA* MAIM lit p * A A 1.0 4f.> A*, 1 .) im 1.) u-i U.T .* 94.1 4A.0 101.0 tO.1" <0.0 41.1 tf.'. 19.4 4S.1 Al.l U.l U.9 4.1 J.) M 1.4 2.0 20.0 U M 1.0 u 4.4 1U l.t 3.6 1.4 1.6 *.) UO 1A M 2.6 4.2 M 1.9 *.) 1.1 1. l.l 9.4 l.l 1.1 )4 l.l 1.4 1.) 1.1 1.2 1.2 o.n l.l 9.9 2.1 0.000 0.000906 o.eooti 0.00216 0.000 - 0.909 0.01J* o.eUl 0.000 0.000 - 0.000 0.000 0.000 9.000 6.000 0.000 -- 0.009 0.1)6 0.U5 0,10 0.000 - 0.000 0.000 0.000 _ - 0.000419 0.000 0.01(4 0.000 o.ia o.ooo 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.009 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 <9 4t Arlll APAPA *!# A 41.* u At kalt M!ir MatahOlrrAwka01H2a9.l AvtilOa if MJ II At latAvanl IfladAp aaUm A02 a ).T 14 At iiitrvl (riiitf MIMM #109 a U.| It At IhupmI fpLMir MtlM M A ytv H At Uiapm! AAtiar MUlM 4124 A 4**4 ft At ]lM 42)0. MkUl aUaf 6At llalAf A 99.4 nya |ataaa t*A OlMCbAPl A 42.1 frloOapii Ay 4 n At cin*fc*rr aaumiu AAVJ9 frlHLif *aaIa* 41 44.2 V il tty## *6lM A2 > Irtli lUiaf 1.2 M . ut 1.9 0.900 0.CWA 0.000 0.011 U.4 U.O u* 1.1 4.1 ).} * 0.000 0.000 1.0 l.J 0.00002 0.029 1.4 1.1 0.000 0.000 12.6 10.? 0.0027 0.019 l.T 1.4 0.0000 0.01)2 2.J l.f 0.40064) 0.0320 prrn ifT iHblM Nr >*ll&ra pa*a O.fll ft J20O.4.**l <1100,] *(Utl> ,Utur~* 9nr prlJla. 4. Xrt ft 0.000 0.11 0.000 0.21 , 0.000 0.19 0.1)3 0.220 *r 9w*t lUM/ti ilbiiUl Lti.M t/Ci film r ILnri ilml tll naiUt lUfiri* In, ntlU( n<Nnp < MWiUi KtlklM 4))0 HkpAplk ClArP *tt Claar flkrA ttMi Wtl 1 aLa ima UxaupPi pipm AaUlWl UU^Pf* AUtlM nMkrp T** ainn map IlMUl Mf< 71vie fa<tA rir< A Tiki nil* Unt hnn a#pa WlA4 ClUaO A irlr ItalM: ) Mt . ) ciiiuti r*tiu hmui liktilM 2 M at A) 1 Ml At 49 AaUA Cam bk*nt ;iW * 1 *a IM Iru. llAltf ClAUh Cam iH PhAUAt l/M 1 lAallM A4h*r UIM 1 tualy CIhUO CaU4 liMut l)iU< IpOlA lltiA* fehital QlUA AA AA CUUfc fA*. * 1* * hUi Hal if A # 2.0. aAtafUl $ I) . r.4. Apt* tintcf /k4iUi mU*UaI* *tr _ mm NCam ranrSlai H< #*Mt tiknit *rua 4 1hi. iMnl vpitaa .11- Comparative Data of 1930 Survey and 1935 Survey * Stratford PIPat 1322. 1321 Cincinati grinder Filling beatera 655,000 529,000 1,400,000 1,400,000 Air velocity readings - taken with anemometer Fibre room - pulverizer - 590 feet per minute fibre opener 1450 n n Blanchard grinder #4 ---- 590. " 1514 " H (right side) " (left sido) Drill press machine #70 - -'571 " Internal grinder machine #102 large opening - 1111 " small openings 434 n External grinder machine'#105 200 w Sandor umohlno #92 743 u 11 e u 656 666 d 99-90 939 529 99 90 9S 90 PC 1 0 GO 3 0 4 0 3 0 20 tO 5 t2 j0 3 C1LZ O r.s J Percentage frequency o f o c c u rre n c /'o f aSst p a rffc le s -12.............................................. ........................... ................................. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOK'ENDATTONS - Stretford Plrnt Sample #6* taken at tho fibre opener shows a high dust count. This is accounted for by the method of handling the fibre and not tho opener itself. The fibre is dumped from bags onto tho floor and then shoveled into tho opener. The fibre is carried to a hopper above and then falls through a pips into a truck which is located about six foot from uho opener. The operator stands between tho opener and the truck and shovels the fibre into the opener at the same time that it is falling into tho truck. Tho dust concentration at this point could be decreased by the proper handling of tho fibre. Samples #2, 3 and 4 show that there is lead present in the air at thesa points. While thoso samples do not 3how a dangerous amount, it would be well if the workmen engaged at these places wore examined periodically for signs of lea4 poisoning. Notice was taken at tho time of this survey of the method of handling litharge. This material is handled carelessly as it can be found lying on the floor in the room where it is weighed and around the mixers. Sample #13 shows a low count. Three men were engaged in filling the beaters. Practically all of the material put into the boaters was waste asbes tos board. Very little raw asbestos was added. No doubt the count at this position would be higher if more* raw .asbestos fibre were used out of tho hags. It is recommended that tho bags of asbestos fibre be stored in a room isolated from the remainder of the plant. This would eliminate dust gonorated in tho piling and unpiling of these bags in the room and exposing more people to the dust than i3 necessary. Samples #15, 24, 28, 30, 31 and 32 all show that lead was present in the air sampled. Sample #30 is the only one that approaches a dangerous amount. -13- TT This sample also shows a high dust count. The high dust count at the two Blanchard grinders.#3 and 4 i3 due to the method of handling tho brake lining during the grinding operation. Thi3 lining is the P.G. molded type and a number of strips are placed together for grinding of the edges. After the edges are ground on one sido, tho operator blows off the clinging dust 7/ith an air hose and reverses the strips to grind tho opposite edges. This type of grinding should be dona on the grinding machines designed for this particular work. It was observed that a great amount of the dust present in the air is caused by the handling of the material after grinding. Dust clings to the individual pieces, and when the stacks are moved about they are not put down carefully. This results in dust clouds arising. Samples #25 and 26 show high, counts. Large size brake lining was used at the time these samples were taken. It was observed that the exhaust ho< on machine #105 did not catch all of the dust from this type lining. When smaller sizes of lining are ground on this machine the hood seems to catch most of the dust generated. The hood should be changed to take care of all sizes of lining ground on this machino. -14- HEALTH HAZARDS Asbestod dust gives rise to a pneumoconiosis or fibrosis of the lungs which has been discussed in the previous report made on the sbestos industry. Developments in our knowledge of asbcstosis are continually taking place and a summary of any new facts discovered will be added to the general composite reporj of the asbestos plants survey which is to be brought out later. Mica belongs to the class of materials in which silica occurs in a combined form known as silicates. Little or nothing is available in the literature with regard to the effects of this dust on the lungs, though it seems likely that it belongs with the more mildly injurious dusts. Our present know ledge of the effects of the silicates is meagre, but work is being carried on in various quarters in an attempt to determine their classification more accur ately with regard to health. Experimental investigation of mica duet was made recently by A. Policard of the University of Lyons, Franco. (1) Hi3 conclusions f > from observations on white rats were that these dusts are noxious to the lung tissue, resulting after a time in changes in the cells and in phagocytosis and producing a mildly chronic fibrosis similar to that seen in silicosis. Mica particles grouped in plaques were found in the alveolar tissues. With his conclusions regarding the theory that sericite is the chief factor in the causation of silicosis, authorities in this country cannot agree, although the matter is constantly receiving attention. of Lead) Toxicity of Lead in Rubber Mixing (Litharge - red or yellow oxide Compounding and mixing are the most hazardous processes in rubber making. If these processes are properly Isolated from the rest, coinpara- (l)Policard, A., Tho Action of Mica Dust on Pulmonary Tissue, Journal of Indus trial Hygiona, Bultlraoro, Vol. XVI, No. 3* May* 1934* PP 160-164* -15- tively few workers need remain exposed. Lead poisoning is the commonest of the industrial intoxications. The toxicity of lead'depends upon a number of factors such as : the form of lead taken into the body - vapor, dust or solid; tha solubility of the lend compound in human tissues; the mode of entry of lead into the body - inhalation, inges tion or skin absorption; tho extent of exposure; individual susceptibility which is heightened by numerous conditions particularly by previous attacks of poisoning. Among the most readily toxic of the inorganic lead compounds are the oxides, the carbonate, the sulphate and the chromate. Lead is a cumulative poison and, with a few exceptions, industrial lead poisoning is usually a chronic condition caused by the inhalation or in gestion of small amounts of soluble lead over long periods of time. This procoss of poisoning may go on slowly for a long period without manifesting any of the characteristic acute symptoms. Lead inhaled, however, is far more rapidly and purely toxic then load ingested, nines it reochon tho blood stream more direotly and comparatively little is eliminated ui mb sorbed. There is little agreoment in tha estimates made by ynrious authorities on the minimum amount of lead which can cause poisoning if taken into tho body. For practical guidance, however, it can be assumed that from 1 to 2 milligrams taken in daily over a period of months or years may cause poisoning. A number of factors also enter into the estimation of.the amount of air breathed by a mqn at active work during the working day. Ten cubic meters of air in a ten hour day is an estimate which very probably errs on the safe side for the average workman. On the basis of these calculations, the lead content of the air of workrooms where men are continuously exposed should be kept as low as .16 0.1 of a milligram per cubic meter of air or elso strict measures for protection should be installed to prevent poisoning. The symptoms of chronic lead poisoning are meny and may manifest thnmoolvoo through tho giintro-i/itentinnl tract an In tho famlll/T "Iruid collo" or the neuro-rausculrr system or both. Among tho symptoms most commonly notod are colic, metallic taste in the mouth, obstinate constipation and loss of appetite, muscular weakness, particularly of the hands and wrists, neuritis and joint pains, loss of weight, headache, dizziness, nausoa or vomiting, gastric distress or fatigue are among tho minor symptoms that may or may not be present The principal diagnostic Bigns for the detection of lead poisoning .j in its early stages or of lead absorption, which is essentially pre-clinical poisoning before the onset of symptoms, are ashen pallor of the skin, tremor, lead line on the gums, stippling or basophilic dcgoncrotion of the red blood cells, homatoporphyrin in the urine and mild secondary anemia. Other abnor malities in the blood which are characteristic of lead poisoning are polychro me tophilia, changed relative proportions of lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, increased mononuclear cells and increased reticulocytes. Repeated physical examinations should ba made of workers exposed to load at fairly short intervals, of from two to six months, depending upon the severity of exposure. It is important to prevent the occurrsnca of lead poison ing, since, even though it is not often fatal under modern conditions, it fre quently results in premature development of chronic degenerative conditions in the circulatory system. The physiocheraistry of lead poisoning and the treatment to be pursued have been the subject. r>f ^ nt.anslve experimentation and study bv Aub(2_) _ar4_his_, (2)Aub, J.C., et al, Lead Poisoning, Yiilliams and Wilkins, Balt. 1926, pp. 265. -17- associates at the Harvard School of Public Health and by Kchoe^ and his colloagues of tho University of Cincinnati. 7oyj-.cl.ty aX'.V.arlp.ua .Solvents eM PlAfilih I Benzol is by far the most hazardous of the solvents commonly used in industry. It has been established that the maximum allowable concentration for ' prolonged exposure is 100 parts per million. Because of itB recognized and very serious danger to tho health of operatives, its use as a solvent in spray coating I operations has been largely supplanted by less toxic substances or by its less harmful homologues toluol and xylol. These substances are not necessarily less dangerous to life if breathed in, but, because of a lower volatility and a marked odor, they are less likely to escape unnoticed into the atmosphere. More/ over, they do not damage the blood forming organs causing chronic permanent injury to health to the same extent as does benzol. Solvent naphtha derived from benzol is a mixture of toluol and xylol and in the sane class with these substances with regard to health hazard, while petroleum naphtha is classed with' benzine, gasoline, the chlorinated hydrocarbons and with the alcohols, acetates and ketones, and with which severe poisoning is rare. Whether or not these sub stances have any action on tho blood is still controversial. Usually poisoning by them is of the acute anesthetic typo. Tho effects duo to exposure to heavy fumes are headache, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, mental confusion and loss of consciousness. These offects generally disappear fairly quickly in fresh air* Chronic effects from prolonged exposure are less definite but similar, with muscular weakness, tremors, and various nervous disturbances. Of the alcohols, all highly soluble, methyl alcohol or methanol is one of tho most toxic to human beings when inhaled, inasmuch as it is not oxi dized in the body to the same extent as ethyl alcohol,which is otherwise more (l)Kohoe.RA., Thnmmnn, F., Cholak. J., On the Normal Absorption and Excretion of tendj I-IVj Jcitirr.'.l of Industrial Hygleno, fept. 1933. _____________ __ ^ i -13- Somo degree of tolerance can be developed tc the anesthetic effect of tho alcohols, particulsirly ethyl alcohol, probably due to acceleration of the normal rote of oxidation. While methyl, butyl end amyl alcohol aro incressingly toxic-judged by thoir respective -:'.r icily poisonous actions, this property is offset, as far as their inckn .: . aspect is concerned, by a decreasing vol.'.tillty and ti solubility. As is the case with benzol, the toxicity of methanol has been blamed ( on its impurities, but there is ample evidence of a sound nature that methanol itself is the chief toxic factor. The effects of the vapor, accumulating as it readily does in the body, are directly poisonous to the nervous system, and have a special affinity for the retina. Large doses cause prolonged coma, blindness and death. The minimal toxic dosage is not well established. Henderson and Haggard (4) quote Loewy as putting it at 200 parts per million for ex perimental animals if inspired over a long period. It has been recommended thst tho concentration should be kept below 1 part per 10,000 parts of the air, or 100 parts per million. (5) Methyl alcohol, in addition to its toxicity, has an irritating effect on tho skin. Bnkcllta - iiuESAi Practically nothing is known regarding the possible effects of bakelite dust on the respiratory system. The phenols in its composition might be potentially harmful if exposure to them in the form of concentrated vapors was sufficient. Cases of poisoning due to inhalation of formaldehyde vapors, except by accident, however, ere rare duo to its extremely irritating effect on tho eyes and jqqsp. which usually onuses workers to remove them solyos_XraELAbe-----(A)Henderscin, Yandoll, and Haggard, H.W. (Yale University), Noxious Gases; Lciuinic':!. Catalogue Jki-iL--Inf., N.Y.C,, 19:27. p. 157.__________________ (5)InternntlM'r-l Labour Office, Occupation and Health Brochure No. 55, Geneva, 1929 1 s* I -19- fumes before injury occurs. Concentrations of formaldehyde in excess of 20 - 2C per million may cause symptoms. (6) k In one CMe studied by a factory medical inspector in Holland marked nervous disorder with strong sonuic'-nce was attributed to such fur.es. (7) p Skin affections due to bakelite are of frequent occurrence and ore popularly known as "bakelite itch". The faco and forearms are moat commonly affected in workers handling these resins. Skin lesions are especially prev alent under conditions favoring perspiration. They may be avoided, therefore, by provisions for good ventilation and by frequent washing of the exposed skin in alkaline solutions. Onusually sensitive parsons should be removed from this type of work. I'lnfi.e&d 11 In addition to the danger of spontaneous combustion, linseed oil when heated gives off irritating fumes of acrolein. No chronic ill-cffects have been noted from this substance though it is irritating to the mucous mem branes of the eyes, nose, and throat. ' Th8 addition of resins to the mixture gives rise to volatile ethereal oils which have caused headaches, nausea and ovon stupor. Although Dr. Bnrncfl(v8) in a study of linneed dermatitis did not find the pure oil as irritating as linseed cuke, dermatitis or infections, especially of the hands are common in workmen who come in contact with either of these substances. (9) Workers showing hypersensitivity to the oil may have to be removed from the work._______________________________________________ (6) Sayers, R.R. and Dallavelle, J.M., Prevention of Occupational Diseases, Mechanical Engineering, April, 1935* p. 232. (7) International Labour Office, Goneva, 1928, Occupation and Health, Brochure #115, Bakelite. (8) Barnes, M.H., M.D., Linseed Dermatitis, Journal of Industrial Hygiene, Vol. XIII,. No. 2, February, 1931, pp. 49-55. (9) U.S. Public Health Service, Treasury Dept., Wash. D.G., Public Health Bulletin No. 215, Skin Diseases in American Industry, 1934, PP 41-45. -20- Pl2,eiLfi.g In addition to the toxic properties of the substances handled, occupational skin disease due to rubber compounds, to accelerators end anti oxidants is very common in rubber workers and in those exposed to the above solvents and 'oils, especially those derived from coal tar products. There is attached our booklet entitled "Prevention of Oil Pimples" which describes some \ I of the protective measures with which these skin troubles may be decreased. One of the most frequent causes of dermatitis in the rubber industry is hexamethylenetetramine used as an accelerator and paranhenylendla mina or similar coal tar compounds. A one per cent solution of "hexy" is said to be sufficient to cause dermatitis and in hot weather skin trouble is almost inevitable if this substance is carelessly handled. It is not, perhaps, sufficiently well understood that continued exposure to certain of those skin irritants may develop a eaveitivity in workers who did not at first appear to be susceptible. Once dermatitis from "hoxy", for instance, has occurred, the individual is sensitized to the substanc and, much as with poison ivy, is unable to tolerate even slight exposure there after without skin outbreaks. Heat usually quickens the reaction. Protective ointment containing alkali has been recommended, r* ' Dark, oily-skinned persons are usually more resistant to the irritating effects. Those having frequent outbreaks of dermatitis or those found sen sitive to these substances through patch tests should be transferred to other occupations. I I r UN r`.\ -21- Protectivo work clothing vrlth provisions for changing It and good facilities for washing, together vdth the enforcement of rules roc&rding personal (10) cleanliness, helps to prevent both skin troubles and cases of poisoning. hr.gm Chrome compounds and the health hazards associated with them are dis cussed in the accompanying booklet "Protection of Workers Exposed to Chromium and Its Compounds"* (lO^U.S. Publio Hoalth Service, Public Health Bulletin if215,' Skin Hazards in American Industry, Government Printing Office, Wash. P.C., 1934 pp. 1-10.