Document GLy2n10pny8dqqOyN6YDknGx

r >C* ^ ev \ / Air Hygiene Foundation of America, Inc. 4400 Fifth Avenue, Fi'rtrburgh, Fa. October 1, 1937 REFERENCES 70 HECENT LITERATURE ON INDUSTRIAL DISEASES (A) News Items. 475 OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES. Survey of Labor Law Admin., p. 6. (Aug. 1937) Five States - Delaware, Indiana, 'Michigan, Pennsylvania, and V.'ashington - have recently passed occupational disease compensation legislation. This makes 21 States and the District of Columbia that compensate for some or all occupation al diseases, a new Pennsylvania law also provides a special State fund to handle the "accrued liability" problem in silicosis. Instead of placing the burden on the injured worker or his dependents through greatly curtailed ben efits, as some Stntes have done, Pennsylvania, out of a special fund, assumes the obligation of a part of the awards over a transition period of 10 years. Further legislation to compensate for occupational diseases is foreoast by pro- visions for investigation this year in seven States - Arkansas, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. 476 ATTENTION CALLED TO FOUNDATION'S PROGRAM. Bus. Week, p. 1. (Sept. 4, 1937) Late in July the United Automobile Workers (C.I.O. subsidiary) announced,the es tablishment of a Medical Research Institute to promote industrial hygiene and to assist workers in thdir accident and occupational disease oases. Both U.A.7T. and some of the newspapers seemed to feel that the new agency was the only one doing serious work toward the conquering of silicosis, lead and chromium pois oning, and industrial skin diseases. Friends of Air Hygiene Foundation of America, Inc., Pittsburgh, have been quick to point out to ihe papers, and the papers even quicker to publish, that it is doing yeoman work along -these lines and that the 180* companies supporting its non-profit endeavors will welooae the cooperation of additional company supporters. *Now 190. 477 OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE EXHIBIT, Safety Engineering, 74 , 43 (Aug. 1937). Ho re prints are available but information may be secured from the Division of Labor Standards, U. S. Dept, of Labor, W'ashington, D. C. A special occupational disease exhibit has beer, prepared by the U.S. Department of Labor and is available for display at conventions, exhibits, etc. It shows the effects of occupational diseases upon workers, employers and the general public. It also suggests remedies, emphasizing prevention rather than treatment. The display shows various corrective measures which may be taken to overcome occupational diseases hazards, adequate exhaust ventilation of the working at mosphere, and in general healthful sanitary working conditions. One panei eontains four transparencies illustrating certain occupations Therein dust la the . ohief hazards. Stone finishing, underground mining, sand blasting and mixing of lead pijjaents are taaang the occupations included. Another panel illustrates the hazards from inhaling fumes and toxic gases. 478 SILICOSIS CHARGES REDUCED IN CALIFORNIA. Eng. News Rec. 119, 283 (Aug. 1937) A 75/5 reduction in the silicosis surcharge rate on industrial compensation in surance was approved last month by the above consnission. There is an indica tion of a trend towards elimination of surcharges. HH66-* 0009611 -2- (ft 09612 479 PROGRAM Or 22 INTEKATIOKAL IA30R CONFERENCE OF JUNE, 1937. C. Goodrich. U.S. lionthly Lab. Rev. 44, S85-94 (Apr., 1937). On the program of the International labor Conference, which met in June, the f lowing subjects vrero to be consid:red* the desirability of raising the age limits for employment; the reduction of hours of vrork in the textile, printing^ nr.d chemical trades; safety provisions for workers in building construction arj? the planning of public works in relation to employment. Any agreements reached" by the Conference, by a two-thirds majority, will be referred to the member gov ernments for formal action. The United States has been a member since 1934. 480 BRITISH STUDY TOXIC GASES IN INDUSTRY. Heating k Ventilating, 34, 70 (Aug. 193?; A series of booklets describing standard methods for the detection of toxic gases in industry is published by the British Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The first issue deals with hydrogen sulfide. The use of an efficient system of mechanical ventilation or air purification is necessary wherever this gas appears. It is pointed cut that ir. concentrations of one part in 1000 by volume this gas is nearly as poisonous as hydrocyanic acid and can kill almost as quickly. 481 KITE - CAPS FOR RESPIRATORS. H. S. Cover, South Bend, Ind., Nat. Safety News, 36, 100 (Sept., 1S37) Information obtainable from the author, who is manufac turer. A "r.ite-cap" is a knitted hood that may be slipped over the filter apertures of respirator, and is especially suitable for work in heavy dust. "When a heavy de posit or cake is fomed on the cap, it may be taken off and shaken, and usually replaced. It was especially designed for the manufacturer's respirators, but fits others having a similar flat surface. 482 GAS INDICATOR. The Linde Air Products Co., 30 E. 42nd. St., New York, N. Y. Heating, Piping, Air Conditioning , 136 (Sept., 1937) Information obtainable from company. The company has developed a new gas detector known as f,U.C.C.,f gas indicator. It shows presence of combustible gases, indicates oxygen deficiency and includes a toxic chamber for determining the presence of carbon monoxide and hydrogen sul fide in toxic concentrations. 483 WON'T HAVE DUST. Arthur Van Vlissingen. Factory Man. Main. 95, 83 (Sept. 1937) No reprints. A brief account of the air conditioning and dust removal system in the foundry o the Ford plant. It includes local exhausts for dust and pickling fvsaes and warn air blowers in hot locations. The materials used in the blowers, etc., are se lected to fit local conditions. In cases where an ordinary blower will last 6 months or more, it is used and replaced, rather than one made from a more re sistant material. (3) Papers on Dust, Dust Diseases and General Industrial Hygiene 484 OCCUPATIONAL AID ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS OF THE CEMENT, CLAY AND POTTERY INDUSTRI R.R.Sayers, J.K. DallaValle and S.G. Bloomfield. Public Health Bull. No. 238, 50 pp., 1937 Obtainable from Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D.C., fc 20 cents, cash. The bulletin presents a complete occupational survey of the three industries, ar. is the result of a study of 9 cement mills, 16 potteries, and 47 clay plants, ir. eluding brick, drain tile and other tile, sewer pipe, stove lining, terra-cotta products and other refractories. For each industry, a general description of th process is followed by flow-sheets showing the course of the materials and tho operators who handle or control them, and by an alphabetical list of all occupa tions, with the materials handled, important and contributory exposures and a brief description of the operations, for each listed occupation* A classified list of occupations by departments is also included. The survey does not invofSe an original study of occupational diseases, but the hazards are discussed and studies of diseases as have been made are reviewed. In the cement industry, workers are predisposed to certain diseases of the resjS*- atory system and to diseases of the skin, eyes and ears, and the exposure to dq,t is possibly a faotor in the high rate of digestive illnesses among workers in tKfe finishing end of the mills. Although the frequency of minor respiratory diseas*j5 is high, the more serious diseeses, such as pneumonia and tuberculosis, have oaused relatively little disability among these workers. The serious exposures in theclay industry appear to be the following: inhalation of clay and other dusts, extreme dry heat, exposure to weather and dampness, lead poisoning, and carbon monoxide. The dust hazard varies with the olass of dust, free silica content, concentration, particle size and length of exposure, Many 95 of the inorganic dusts appear to be harmless, but those containing free silioa produce serious damage in a short time. These irritating dusts cause chronic catarrh, pleurisy, hard breathing, bronchitis, and predispose the workers to tu c=f\ berculosis. Lead poisoning in the glazing department depends upon the method used >-- and the lead content of the glaze. Pouring and "fettling" (removal of superfluous glaze) are the most hazardous occupations in glazing. In the pottery industry the hazards are much the same as in clay work, especially silicosis and lead poisoning. Danish and English surveys have shown a high inci dence of silicosis among pottery workers, although tuberculosis is not frequent. e A survey of this nature has been much needed, both in the industries reported and in others, and the Bulletin will be valuable to all concerned with occupational hazards. 485 kV INQUIRY INTO TEE HEALTH HAZARDS OF A GROUP OF WORKERS EXPOSED TO ALUMINA DUST(British) Charles L. Sutherland, A, Keiklejohn and F.N.R. Price. J. Ind. Hyg. 19, 312-19 (Sept., 1937). The serious mortality from silicosis among workers in the china biaouit process in the manufacture of English bone china has been traced to the fine flint used la the "placing" of the clay ware for the biscuit firing. Research directed toward discovery of a suitable substitute has led to the trial of alumina (aluminum oaide The question immediately arose whether alumina is free from any health risk com parable to that from silica. A representative group of workers in an aluminum factory, exposed to considerable amounts of fine alumina dust, were submitted to clinical and radiographic examination. Ho evidence of pneumoconiosis or other lung disease was discovered and there was no indication that any system or oi'gan was adversely affected. In the manufacturing process gas containing faint trace:? of fluorine was generated, sufficient to cause a transient irritation of the uppe* respiratory passages, but no lesion arising from inhalation of the gas was dis covered. 486 SILICOSIS - PART 3. LEGAL AHD MORAL -RESPONSIBILITY. Charles S, Pearce. Ceram. Ind. 27, 50-52 (July, 1937). The author points out that the employer has a moral responsibility was well as a legal one, for accidents and industrial disease. Industry should carry its share of the cost of occupational disability and the manfuacturer should charge enough for his products to oover expenses incurred in the care of his workmen. Compensa tion laws are not made to tax the manufacturer but to compel him to protect his employees^ and just as accidents in the plant are considered a liability on in dustry, so should lead poisonii^ silicosis and other disease contracted in perfor mance of Indus trial activities be compensable. In the last few years suits in silicosis cases have reached a half billion dollars; compensation laws to cover all industrial diseases constitute a protection both to manufacturers and o,, rp'r', *2< -4employees. The question has arisen whether vitreous enamel spraying causes silicosis. However 'with the modem equipment fer dust removal, working ccrn^e ditiens may be made so ideal that tho effect of this substance may never be de termined, and reflection should r.ot be cast on the enameling industry. In awarding compensation, the small weekly cr monthly payment is better for the i needs of the vnrkcr, than the payment of a large sum. Tho system of conpensa tion should cover appropriations for investigation and rose-rch. Personal * histories of employees should be kept and all vrerkers entering an occupation * involving lung hazards should have x-ray chest examinations. 437 discdssio:: cr iixust^al accidents and diseases. 1936 convention, INTERNATION AL ASSOCIATION OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDEIKBOARDS A'X COlZilSSIOMS, TOPEKA, K..NS-S. V.3. Dept. Lab-r, Div. Laber Standards, Bull. No. 10, 1937. Obtainable from Supt. ''f Documents, Wa.shir.gt n, D.C. fer 20 cents, cash. The r.cxt 5 abstracts and No. 523 include the papers of greatest interest fr^r. the standpoint of occupational diseases. In r.Vitron there is a y:* deal of discussion cf coapcnsati-'r. problems, several pfpers rz. y oyo disabilities, one cr. preoccup:;.ti~,ra.l examinations, and others -r.' injuries and occupational diseases outside -ur field. 438 A PRACTICAL DISCUSSION 0!' THE SILICOSIS PROBLEM. 0. A. Sander. Above Bulletin pp. 253-9. Bulletin attainable as above. The author, who hr.a had unusual experience in the diagnosis of silicosis md appraisal cf disability, presents an account cf the 4 year old survey of 15,000 Wisconsin vvrrksrs. There has beer, r.- trouble in getting employee* in this State to submit tc x-ray and -*>thor examination, as the medical records re main the private property of the examining physician. Only individuals with advanced silic-sis or with active tuberculosis are prohibited from reentering a dusty trade. The effect cf silicosis is r.ot noted by the individual until a great reduction in lung capacity has occurred* The author believes that only the unusually heavily dusted individual "progresses" toward increased fibrosis* progress!.ci 'f the slightly dusted person is so slow that injury would not be apparent in the course cf an ordinary working life. 489 SILICOSIS EXPERIENCE IE ONTARIO. G. Wilkie and T. N. Dean. Abovo Bulletin pp. 164-75. Bulletin obtainable as above. a description of the costs and practical operation f tho Ontario WerVaaon1 s Compensation Act as it applies particularly to silicosis. Tho most significant facts shown by the tables arc that in tho mining industry the compensation rate is $2*43 per $100 payroll, including only those exposod tc silica, and in stor.ecutting $3.50 per $100 payroll, while in foundries the rate is $0,36, and ir. all ethers, including p^rcolain end glass, agriculture.! implements, autos, etc., porcelain ona^slware, and all ether industries, the rate is below 10 cents per $100 payroll. 490 THE MAKING OF ARTIFICIAL SILK IV THE UNITED STATES AMD SOTE OF rX &1FGERS AT TENDING IT. Alico Hamilton, H.D., Div. of Lab*r Standards, Dept, of Leber, Washington, D.C. Abovo Bulletin, pp. 151-9, 1937. Reprints obtainable from author, and entire bulletin obtainrblc as abr-vc. A brief history ar.i a good description of the rayon manufacturing processes is presented. The visc-.-se process, whioh is most generally used, involves the hazards cf exposure to hydrogen sulfide and carbon disulfide. We arc badly in need of precise inforr.cti-.n ->r. the effects of carbon disulfide* in fact, there is deplorable ignorance of the hazards of this occupation. Err: yT.) -5- 491 DIAGNOSIS OF SILICOSIS. ... L. Kefauver. Ohio State lied. J. 33, 910-11 (Aug* 1937). !Io reprints. This paper is a brief review of the diarysis of silicosis, first pointing that there have been many theories to explain the action of silica on the lung but that they have been disproved by exhaustive animal experimentation. A bri account of the relation of particle size ard time of exposure to silicosis is followed by a concise list of diagnostic signs, the most common being dyspnea, and the list emphasizes the fact tint simple silicosis has few clinical syr.pto The importance of x-ray examination is stressed, and tlx relation of silicosis to tuberculosis is discussed briefly. 492 \ SILICOSIS. H.M.F. Sehraman, M.D., 450 Sutter St,, San Francisco, Calif. Calif. West. Mod. 46 (Apr, 1837). Reprints obtainable from author. This paper is a brief review of silicosis especially in its industrial aspects, and supplements an earlier paper paying more attention to the medical side. The well known facts about silicosis - prevalence, cost rf claims, stages, suscep tibility t-' tuberculosis - are presented briefly. The author believes that every silicosis victim is, or was, an active quiescent or potential tubercular, otherwise silie-.sis would net gain the headway it d*es, nor would tuberculosis kill 75> of silicosis victims. After a brief discussion of the legal phases, especially of responsibility for the "silicosis rocket", ho suggosts the follow ing measures as a solution of problems of prevention of the disease end tho honest disposition of half a billion dollars worth of claims* (l) compensation lav:s that will allow and recognize the physical *nd radiologic examination of applicants fer employment in dusty trades? (2) periodical examination; (3) pre ventive ncasuroc, including dust counts, increased ventilation, wet processes, central of dust at its point of generation, determination of what is a harmful dust, prohibition of dusty work for tubercular workers, standardisation of records, examinations -nd inspections, aaccrtc.inm.cnt of dust hazard and limits of safety, ar.d the use 'f an efficient respirator? (4) creation of a medical board cf appeal? (5) compensation. a*,vards made only on occupational disability, and (6) first-aid safety measures. For the disposition of cases now pending, tho recommendations aro: (1) cooperation between the legal profession, the doct'-r and the employer, and allowing only export witnesses of tho highest caliber, vrith approval of the expert, review -'f the testimony, or both, by the local or national Roentgen Ray Society? (2) expenditure by employers for estima tion and elimination of hazards; (3) modern legislation, and (4) elimination of the quack and charlatan in medicine and law. The most important move in tho author's opinion is -the creation of a medical board of review, to decide wheth er a case is compensable, and a lay ccmrissi n to decide to what degree a claimant is disabled. 493 THE SAMPLING OF INDUSTRIAL DUSTS BY KEAKS OF TEE "LA3YRINTE". H.V.A* Briscoe Janet W. Matthews, P.F.Holt and Hiyllis V. Sanderson* Bull. Instn* Min* Ifet. (June, 1937). Colliery Guardian, 155, 283-8 (Aug. 13, 1937). Roprints obtainable frem Institution of 1'ining and Metallurgy, Salisbury House, Finsbury Circus, London, E. C. 2, England, Price- Is 9 d. IThen it is necessary to obtain large samples of industrial dust as for sol ubility tests, filtration methods arc inadequate, and the authors developed an apparatus consisted of a rectangular box containing 32 copper plates, 6x3^ in., alternately supported at tht top and bottom, leaving a free space 6x3/4in. The collected dust is easily removed after taking off the side of the box, and may be taken separately from each of the 16 or 17 compartments. In a later form the baffles were similarly arranged in a copper tube 3 in. in internal diameter, with an inner celluloid tube which facilitated removal of the dust. This apparatus permitted an air flow of 1000 cu. m. per hour (about 600 cu. ft. per minute). In one cose where there was little dust, it was run for 25 days, sampling about half a million cubic meters of air, and 100 grams of dust were collected. Tests were made with both instruments on several types of dust, flint, cement, asbestos and sillimanito. KUBB-W09615 a 0 Ch) x: s -6The dust was collected end weighed separately from each centparbnent, end in ^ some cases sice distribution counts were made# Both the weights and average ** particle sizes show a gradual decrease from the first to the last compartment. Both by extrapolation and by the use of the salicylic acid filter, an efficient cy of collection averaging about 95?* was found for the apparatus. On the others hand, using the particle oount as a criterion and the thermal precipitator as ea a means of sampling, E. E. Vfatson found an overall efficiency of 44?. Of the particles from 0.2 to 0.8 micron in diameter, more were found at the outlet * than at the inlet. Watson attributes -this effect to the breaking up of ag gregates, but the authors also su.-- .st that largo particles of hydrated materials may break up under the heat ..-.oossarily used in preparing the thermal precipitator samples forming many smaller particles. However, the object of the apparatus is not complete collection, but large scale collection for sub sequent examination, and in or.c exporirrent in which two labyrinths were used in series, the dust at the outlet of the second had practically the same si2 gradation and apparent composition as at the outlet of the first. The advan tages of this apparatus lie in large scale collection of dust without altera tion of its original properties. The data are presented in a number of tables, or.4 scvercl illustrations show the apparatus and the gradations of dust ob tained. V494 MEMORANDUM OF THE COMMITTEE ON DUST SAMPLING INVESTIGATIONS. (TEE INSTITUTION . OF MINING AND IS TALLURGY.) K.S.Patterson. J. Chen. Met. 4 Min. Soc. So. N^frica 37, 355-7 (Feb, 1937). This paper is a contribution to the discussion of a paper by Green and Watson, published ir. 1935. The author points out that the efficiency of the konimeter decreases with increase in the numbers of particles and that almost the came counts were obtained by the konimeter for clouds containing numbers varying be tween 4,000 and 2,000 particles per cc. For fine dusts (mostly belar 0*5 mi cron), as found in South African mines, the efficiency of tho konimeter is again much smaller, often far below 50?*. 495 DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS IN FULimiRY DISEASE. P. H. Ringer. N, Y. State J. Med. 37, 1005-10 (June-1, 1937). The author lists 9 diseases that nay be expected if respiratory tract symptoms are in evidence. The discussion is devoted mainly to tuberculosis, but occupa tional dust diseases are mentioned os one of the possibilities, and the great importance cf the patient's history is pointed out. 496 v CLEANING THE FOUNDRY AIR. The American Foundry Equipmaat Co., Miahawr.ha, Ind. C. A. Snyder, Nat. Safety News 36, 54, 102 (Sopt., 1937). Mimeographed oopies obtainable from author or company. Tho foundry operations involving a dust hazard include} (l) sandblasting? (2) tumbling barrels; (3) grinding wheels; (4) shakeouts; (5) sand handling equip ment; and (5) miscellaneous operations. Sand.olaitirg should be dono in rooms with sufficient mechanically fcrcod draft tc kt-c.r the dust inside the enclosure It is also essential that each operator be svrorli.d with an efficient air-pres sure helmet. The airless centrifugal method, now used to some degree, eliminate the need for an operator in the blasting area. Tunc! ing barrels should be oper ated with ample ventilation. A vent pipe velocity of -=,000 to 5,Q0C feet per minute will give a sufficient air movement to keep dust concentration below this danger point. In shakeout end sand handling equipment each problem requires special consideration, no set rules being applicable. For general work tho use of vacuum cleaners above the rogul:r working sone is highly recommended. Variou types of OK dust collectors are discussed. Centrifugal collectors, with ef ficiencies r'tcd at SC to 80% by weight, are not recommended. Uultiplo cyclone collectors have much greater efficiencies on account of the more effective ap plication of centrifugal force. T.'et collectors have attained an efficiency ranging from 90 to 95 per cent. 61oth screen arresters can be installed whet*'' requirements are severe, and efficiencies of 97 per cont are reached. Cloth HUBB-0H09617 tube or bog collectors ore favored by many industries because they ore a more ef ficient cleaning mechanism, consume less power, -re easily maintained and in spected and have efficiencies of 98 per cent or more by weight. Dust counts of discharged air show 10 million particles or less as determined by the ir.pingor method. Although the olcctricol precipitation system is the most efficient of all air collooting devices, its usually prohibitive high installation cost lind its use to cases where reclaimed dusts are exceedingly valuable. 497 CONTROL OF DUST IN ROCK DRILLING. Theodore Hatch, Nat. Safety News. 35, 23-24 (Sept. 1937). No reprints, but a fuller paper will be published later. The author has written a number of papers on tnis subject, end the present paper is a brief review. Underground operations due to confined spaces arc the most dangerous, as dust concentration builds up higher than it would be in the open. The principal sources cf dust crct rock drilling, blasting, mucking and ether rock handling operations. Pneumatic drills shatter rock to a powder, and par ticles thus generated vary in size from l/4 of cr. inch to sutmicroscopic di ameters. The amount cf dust produced by a rock drill is surprisingly large. One rock drill operating at tho rate of 100 feet of drilling per day actually crushes over 200 pounds of rock in 8 hours. It has boon found that in one minute a rock drill produces as much as one billion particles of hygienic in terest. Dust control methods in rock excavation include: (l) wet drilling and. wetting down r^ck walls and muck piles; (2) general ventilation; (3) dust ex haust hoods on drills and over mucking operations and other sources of dust; ar.d (4) personal protection by means of respirators and positive pressure mtks, 498 HCT.7 TO CONTROL DUST IN CLAY PLANTS. John Kane, American Air Filter Co., Brick 4 Clay Rec. 91, 69-71 (August 1937) No reprints. Dust control ir. elay plants is practical, effective and inexpensive, and on im portant factor in the tendency toward improved working conditions is the con fining of dusty operations. The usual dusts generated ir. brick plants aro net as hazardous as these- found in allied ceramic operations, because their free silica content is low and derived largely from impurities in the clay# Howover, the presence of silica, ever, in low concentrations, and the unfavorable effect on workmen of the presence of any dust, have been added incentives for con fining tho dust at its source, thereby preventing its dispersion in tho work room. Details of the application of confinement of dust aro given for bucket elevators, conveyors, dry pans, screens and bins. Protective measures for all these appliances can be summarised under two head ings; adequate ventilation and tight casing wherever possible. In bucket el evators not only the exhaust frer the elevator, but additional volumes from the point where the clay is fed to the elevator boot, must bo taken into account. In conveyors, exhaust equipment is necessary only at the point of material transfer. Although the dry pan is one of the major dust producing units, it car. be effectively hooded, and the dust generated can be completely confined by a dust hood made in sections and fitted tightly to tho framo supporting the vertical shaft. The exhaust r.ir will carry a minimum of finos from tho process without distrubing batch ratios. The confinement of duet from screening equip ment requires careful study. A hood with removable sides can be fitted olosely to the screen deek, enclosing the screening operations without interfering with inspection and servicing. Storage bins for dry clay requiro exhaust connec tions, as the air displaced by the falling material carries with it tho fine dust stirred up by the falling clay. Tables showing necessary air volumes and design of exhaust equipment are given for each operation to bo protected. The principles of operation and relative advantages of the various typos of col lectors arc discussed briefly, including the cyclone collector, the dynamic precipitator, the wet collector cr.d the filter. A G_n 69 a o==ri e*\ -8- 499 FIL7ERIMG HARMFUL DUETS. E. Kurdig, Corpus Engineering Ccrp., Worcester, Mass, Safety Eng* 74, 41-42 (Aug. 1937). Information obtainable from author or ^ Company. A unit air filter so designed that the filter ur.it car. readily be cleaned is da*, scribed in this article. The size ->f such a unit is usually about 20 inches square in face ar a -nd will handle approximately 80C cu. ft. per min. with a pressure drop of 0.20 tc 0.25 inch cf water. Multiples of these filters are sibb plcyod to suit the individual requirements. P-rtable air filters with connect^ ir.g hose of 3 inches t-' 4 inches in diameter leads to the to^ls of the ir.divid^* ual workers whore the dust-laden air is drawn off and sucked at a high velocity into the filter chamber. The air tb.cn passes at a lev; velocity through the ci r filter and is freed from, silica dust, and nay be discharged back into the room through the fan. 500 A HIGH PRICE F'K "EGL2CT, John Lc Verne, Nat* Safety News, 6, 51-52, 76 (Aug. 1937). Thousands of miner injuries become major ones because employees reflect treat ment. Forty vercor.t -f all w-'rkers who have held skilled positions are obliged to pursue unskilled jobs after injury. Occupational skin diseases require the analysis of the material with which the worker c mos ir. contact in or "or to de termine the cause f the dise'se. Different kinds of dusts in varying atmos pheric o.;nccr.tr:ti--.ns ir.va'e the lur.-.s through inhalation. The dar.ror of silica dust is not overestimated, an' unless it is generally recognized it will be in creasingly dav re r<"us The *nly direct means <*f attack on silicosis is preven tion, involvin rtm >val fr-m the atmosphere bp* exhaust systems and improved ven tilation, ar.:. the use cf respirat-.rs. 501 "PORTABLE" X-R..'* AH~RATUS. Roswell T. Pettit, 133. 728 Columbus St. Ottawa, 111. Ini. Med. 5, 353-5 (July, 1936). Reprints obtainable from author. The author cr.l'T nttcr.ti'r to a nur.ber of requirements that must be mot in order to obtain accurate r-cr.tgcru-proms in the diagnosis of silicosis and tuberculosis Toe often these roquirements have not been fulfilled, especially in "portable" x-ray apparatus, offered by a number of manufacturers. In spite of the claims made for them, they ere not ear-able of the accurate representatien of fine de tails that are essential in working with silicosis. Portability is not often a requirement f-r adequate x-ray apparatus; ^r. the ether hand, whore transportetic. is necessary, a complete standard outfit cur. be carried on a cne-ton truck. Whom apparatus is thus taken to a plant and set up the actual taking of photographs car. bt accomplished quickly - often 60 exposures in an hour. SOLUBILITY OF SILICA DUSTS. E. J. King. Nature 140, 320 (Aug. 21, 1937) Ir. a recent paper, Easons and '.Yilccx reported that scrioite and asbestos havo a much higher solubility in bleed senna than free silica. The author oriticises \^heir procedure in that the speed and tire if ccntrifucclization was insufficietb separate fibrous materials, xvhich settle more slowly then roughly spherical particles. Using the ph'sphoncly'die acid test as a measure of silica actually in solution, and. keeping the materials suspended fer 1 tc 8 days at 37 C (the body temperature), King found that the quantity of silica dissolved from soricite (plate and fibrous) in sodium bicarbonate solution was decidedly less than than from quartz, and a similar relation hold at 100 C. Also, in aoetic acid solution, the s. lubilitics of kaolin end mice were much lower then these of quartz and precipitated silica. -9- 503 0CCUPftTI0:- DISEASE DL-GNOSIS. Leonard Greenburg, .M.D., Executive Director, Dig* of Industrial Hygiene N. Y. State Dept, of labor, 30 Centre St., New York, N.Y.** Ini. Bull. 16, 306.7 (..ug., 1937). Reprints obtainable from author. Jg Cor.ponsaticr. f>-r occupational disoasc prosup~oscs that we know a great deal abc such diseases. In order that wo nay adequately compensate we nust necessarily s knew both diagnosis and treatment, fer the amount of compensate~n is certainly correlated with the necessary duration of therapy. The essentials of diagnosis are outlined, including the two important factors of occupation ar.-5 the history* of any special exposure. Occupational diseases are directly traceable to the vast increase in the number of new substances ir. industry, chiefly as a result of cher.icnl research. There are three sources cf tho difficulty of diagnosis. In medical colleges the students as a rule arc not given sufficient training in cccupc tional diseases, and ir. practice many physicians hove no opportunity to loam abcut them by experience. Due to tie rapid strides in chemical industries and tho ir.tr: '.ucti 'n of r.ew substances little is known about their toxicity. For a more adequate exnminortion of the worker it is necessary; (l) tc secure his pas' occupational history as well as his present occupation; (2) tc investigate the working environment, with reference to heat, cold, moisture, noise, ventilation, Illuminati*n, etc.; (6) to knew what substances arc used and to what hazards he is exposod, such as dust, fumes, gases, chemicals, etc. A well directed occupa- tir.nal history exr.rn.ir~t?.on will suggest to the experienced physician just what ti lock fer ir. thv p: tio.it In order that diagnosis be n jst effectively and uniformly, cocp;r~ t?.*n and supervisi^by t.\c Goat- is r.uee.s'.ry. The ideal State administrative ergonizotion for doling v/ith t.L: diagn.'.o<od the occupa tional diseases should consist of; (l) wfcil trailed physicians, experienced in occupational disease; (2) chemists for the analysis of sample.1. material in the laboratory *.r/ in the work place; (3) a well equipped chemical laboratory to handle all the v-uk cxpiditiously; (4) access to important reference books and periodicals; (3) facilities fur the hospitalization of eases; (d) a eorr-i of ir partial medicaJ experts to pass on medical examinations, and (7) more tine do- voted by the medical schools tc training the student ir. the field occupa tional diseased There should be closer cooperation between the compensation unit and thu industrial hygiene unit. 504 EXPERIENCE T7IE SILICOSIS ONDLS WISCONSIN'S V.rORK?:EN'S COMmSATION ACT, 1920 TO 1936. K. D. Kossoris. U.S.Monthly Labor Rev*, 44, 1089-1102 (May, 1937). Wisconsin is the only State with a long and continuous experience in compensa ting silicotic disability* During the 17-year period surveyed, many important questions have been answered by the courts, necessitating amendments to tho com pensation act. Preliminary statistical data show a heavy concentration of claims -during 1933 and 1934, due partly to unemployment and partly, it is olaimo to the fact that as a result of subjecting enpiloyees to medical examinations nary of those with symptoms cf silicosis wero discharged, although most of them wore not disabled. 505 SOME FACTS ON COMPENSATION COSTS 77TH SKCIAL REFERENCE TO INCLUSION OF OCCUPA* TIONAL DISEASES. Henry D* Saycr, Manager, Casualty Dept. Assoc, of Casualty & Surety Executives., 1 Park Avo. New York, N. Y. Safety Eng. 73, 51-2 (ifey *37), 73, 52-55 (June '37) 74, 45-46 (July *3?). Re-prints obtainable fr-vs author. The author calls attention to some difficult problems in the flold of oceupotioral disease compensation. Tho cost of workmen's compensation has been grad ually increasing, largely because its field has been constantly broadened. It has boon claimed that since the inclusion of occupational discr.se the cost of compensation has increased only by a small percentage, but that is true only if the additional c^st is assumed to be spread over all industry, whioh is not a fair assumption. In 7Ti scans in, for instance, it has been increased tenfold among the industries actually affected. The "classical" occupational disoases, such as lead poisoning, do not involve a serious increase in compensation, es pecially with the development of protective methods. New industries, however, such as radium painting, present special difficulties, as the danger was not dir 9") - 10 - covered until damage was done, and the companies involved have been subjected ^ true and false claims for large compensation sums. In the field of compcnsati^i for silicosis, "accrued liability* presents a difficult problem. Should the cflfr pioyer be responsible for the entire liability for silicosis and asbestosis whj^h were developing slowly and urxoticcably, before it was made compensable? The * author thinks not, and that it is not the insurer's liability. The worker musE assume some considerable portion of it. Another point of view is that part of^ tho burden should be publicly assumed, but there is no concensus of opinion on that point. Another difficulty is' the estimation of the cost of compensation for silicosis or ether lung diseases, in advance of the actual claims. Accrued cost is a. large factor in accentuating this difficulty. Tho oxpcrienco of other countries having compensation laws does r.ct help materially in solving this prob lem, because the laws sr.d systems of Ontario, Great Britain, South Afric-, and other countries arc so unlike ours. Another difficulty lies in the relation of dust diseases to tuberculosis. The tubercular should be removed from dusty oc cupations, but h-. should not be cast into the industrial scrap heap, .igain, silicosis may bo sc slowly progressive as not to disable affected workmen ap preciably before the usual termination of their working lives. An aged silicotic workman, retiring in old ago may die from pneumonia, apoplexy or hardening of the arteries, where it may be credible that he would haw pulled through for a few yeors longer had his lungs been unaffected. In such a case, is the dis ablement to bo charged entirely to silicosis, and ir. ease of death, are the de ceased's dependents to be entitled to full death benefits? If so, tho oost will be incalculable. How is partial disability to be compensated? An im partial and. expert board of physicians is an imperative need to determine the medical questions involved. In Ontario the average medical cost per case is $3,000. Under the British law there arc nc medical benefits. The most vital factor ir. keeping devr. costs is prevention, but difficulties aro involved even here# Too much cannot be expected from preventive measures. They will not ob viate a lung fibrosis already formed. Prevention, h/wevor, is net a matter of dust control alone, or of silicosis. Tho safety engineer of the future must be disease prevention-minded, as well as accident prevention-minded, and the indus trial chemist and hygienist must play a part. Finally, the author advocates compensation far specific diseases, rather than all-inclusive laws, as are now in force ir. several states, as mention of spocific disooscs will emphasise pre cautions against the partioul r -'iscasc* 506 COMPENSATED INJURIES. New York State Department of Icbor, Division of Statis tics and Infoiraticn, Ind. Bull. 16, 256-63 (July 1937). A copy of the Bulletin is obtainable fr-m the Industrial Commissioner State Office Building, Albany N.Y. for 10 cents cash. In New York Stato in 1936, awards amounting to $500,000 wore made in 1882 cases of disability caused by exposure to harmful substancos or by continuous mechan ical action such as rubbing, friction, pressure and vibration, excluding casos of accidents, injury, but including both occupational diseases and accidental in jurios due to harmful substances. These cases arc tabulated according to spe cific harmfulg^tstanccs and to industries. Out <- 984 eases of occupational disease, 481/cascs of dermatitis, and soap, washing powder and cleaning solu tions were responsible for 114, the highest number. Out of 597 accidental in juries due tc corrosive substances, 175 ".ere- caused by lime. Claims for all classes of disease and injury shoved an increase aver the 1935 figures. - 11 - 507 METHQJ6 IN HANDLING THE SILICOSIS PROBLEM IN ONTARIO. G.C.Bateman, Secretary, l=hUtfB-0009621 OntaWi; Mining Assoc. 320 Bay St., Toronto 2, Ont. An. Inst. Min. Met. Engrs. \ Tech. Put. 822, in Mining Tech. 1^, July 1937. 11 pp. Reprints obtainable fr-vn author. The author gives the various stages through which the workmen*s Compensation Act of Ontario passed, from its inception in ISIS to the present day. Results of examinations made by a doctor believed to be an expert in diagnosing silico sis showed an incidence so high that the accuracy of diagnosis was questioned, and advico was asked from South Africa where the techniquo of examining was we established. A survey disclosed that the number of silicotics was very much smaller than actually reported. This led to the adoption by Ontario of the South African methods ar.d standards of diagnosis. However, a huge present and prospective liability was created. Men had been awarded sums ranging from $500 to $2,000 as silicotics and removed from industry with the idea that removal would arrest the disease. It was also thought that with this award the em ployer's legal responsibility ended. However, it developed that the legal posi tion was different. Awards could only he considered as compensation, which could only be fer disability and as a progression of the disease was considered a result of the original disability, the mine's wore hold responsible. Later it was discovered that removal from dust exposure did not improve or arrest the dis ease. Men lost hepe, their economic status was lowered, they were difficult to rehabilitate, and wh t was no doubt nest important, the psychological effect of the notification that the individual was a silicotic was extremely bad. A care ful analysis of progression rates shows practically no difference in favor of those removed. Eight of nine men classified as silicotic in 1926 are alive and working today. The ninth died of pneumonia. However it is only just to say that the basis of classification has beer, substantially raised since 1926. In 1933 some amendments were made to the act, discarding lump sum awards and making the industry responsible at any time for increased disability resulting- from the progression of uncomplicated silicosis. The company would not be responsible for tuberculosis unless it developed within two years from the time of leaving dusty employment. The amendments ere not quite clear, so individual cases arc tried on their merits and there is a question regarding the two year period, which may possibly be lengthened. Competent diagnosis is a noeessity, as there ere- practically no physical or clinical signs, and only an x-ray can give any indication of the diseascj its interpretation, however, is to a great degree a matter of personal opinion. Emphasis is placed on the need for having canpotcnt unbiased examiners trained in diagnosis of silicosis. The article concludes with an explanation of how the act is administrated} -- examinations, compensa tions, assessments and costs. All applicants are examined and no ono is acccpte v/ith the type of chest that would indicate a susceptibility to tuberculosis or silicosis. All workmen below ground have certificates and must bo examin ed annually. The responsibility of issuing or refusing certificates rests upon the physician. Compensation claims made to the Board include medioal aid, hos pital or sanatorium costs, without cost limit. In case of death compensation is paid to widow for life or until remarriage at $10 for each child up to 16 years of age. Compensation to the widow is a fixed sum, irrespective of what the claimant nay have received. Assessments and. costs arc carried by the mines ac cording to the number of men employed and the nixnbcr of dust shifts worked. Every effort is r.-.dc to rcduco hazards and immense improvements hevo been accom plished through active and intelligent cooperation of the industry. <=f) 3_- 'J U! -12- 503 PnEVE'TIVE AND INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH. NEXT STEPS IN ORGANIZA TION AND ADMINISTRATION. Lcvcrctt D. Bristol, M.D., Health Director, American Telephone and Telegraph Company, New York, N* Y. Ind. Med. 425-8 (July 193 J. Am. Med. Assoc. 109, 245-3 (July 24, 1937). Reprints obtainable from autho The author predicts ttu-1 tte dividing line between curative and preventive med icine will be less ar.d less evidnet, that medicine will become decreusingly pathologio and increasingly more physiologic, ar.d that voluntary and state ef forts for preventive medicine will be more adequately interlocked. He suggest as an immediate step in that direction, that a county association be selected, under the sponsorship of the American Medical Association, to carry on an ex periment in the organization of preventive medicine. Four steps desirable in the future development of industrial medicine include: (1) more emphasis on pre ventive medicine; (2) bettor nrd more teaching of industrial hygiene in medical and public health schools; (3) a method now being planned for the measurement or appraisal of industrial health and sefoty activities, and (4) a plan whereby the quality ar.d quantity cf medical services in industry mr.y be surveyed, measured and poseibly approved and certified. The American Medical Association has authorized the formation of a Council of Public Health, which will serve as a guide tovrrd the two aims last mentioned. City health administration must become more decentralized with the possible de velopment of neighborhood health districts and full time district medical of ficers, and committees of private physicians and health representatives should K set up for advisory supervision. On the other hand, rural health administra tion should be more centralized, with the county as the smallest unit, and the state department of health, with federal financing if possible, should ossuno more authority. No one pattern for usual health administration is applicable to all communities, but the isolated sma.ll town health departments must be suc ceeded by a better organisation. 509 PERIODIC EXAMINATIONS OF INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYEES. 7,\ S. Austin, Ind. Msd. 6, 422-424 (July, 1937). No reprints. ~ The author deals with the desirability and importance of regular periodic exam inations of the worker ir. industry ar.d entrance examinations for the applicant. No employee should bo discharged for his age alor.c, and tho faithful, long-time employee is cf more value to the company, provided he is physically fit, than the r.i/w v/orkcr who still must be trained. Examinations should be thorough, yet not fatiguing. The doctor*s relationship to tho employer end employo is a del icate one; he must have tact and be just to both parties. The old idea that a doctor is examining e. worker to disqualify him for work should be removed from the patient's mind. He should be educated to understand that it is to increase his efficiency and keep him at work longer than otherwise. Also, there should bo cooperation between the industrial examiner and the employee; for instance, abnormal conditions discovered on examination should be referred to the employee own physician, while in ease of industrial injury or disease, the company physi cian should usually take charge. 510 AN ALTERNATE METHOD OF COMPARING THE DUST ARNES T.iNCE OF AIR CLEANING DEVICES, i.rthur Nutting, Chief Research Eng. Am. Air Filter Cc., Louisville, Ky. Heating, Piping & Air Conditioning. 9, 511-512 (Aug. *37). Reprints obtainable from anther. A method .f testing air filters according to the Standard Cod dstnblished by tho A.S.H.V.E. has beer, used for approximately on year and numerous checkups were made. This code prescribes dust standardization, dust feeding method, rate of dust feed, air velocity through filter, method of rating resistance, method of sampling for arrestar.ee rating and method of rating filter for duet holding capacity. The article includes calibration curves with standard dust and fly ash screened through a 325 mesh sieve. HtffeB-000?6^2 <2-* -k Cs -13- 511 recent advances i:; ov? mno'.tledge of ?hs problem of air conditioning, c.-e.a. e* Wir.slcv:, Dr. P.H., Diroct:r, Jchn B. Pierce Lab. of Hygiene, New Er.vcn, Conn. c A::.. J. Pub. Health 27, 757-75 Uug., 1237) Reprints probably obtainable fremg author. Air is essential to life in supplying oxygen and regulating the supply of waters light and tcr.pcraturc, but is also a potenti/1 carrier of injurious substances and org&nisr.s. The broad purpose of air conditioning is tc obtain the positiv* factors at their best ar.d to eliminate sources of injury. Dust is first consid ered. The author believes that tho total influence of silicosis and associated tuberculosis or. the mortality of the working population nay be more serious than that of industrial accidents, and that they are of vastly greater significance than industrial ooisoning. Control of tlx dust hazard is one of the basic prob lems of air hygiene. The success in silicosis prevention in South Africa has sho*> what can be done. The affects of ncn-siliccous dusts, though r.ot as acute a problem., must 'Iso be- considered. Outside of industry, we have little exact in form.-ti on or. the effect of atmospheric dusts upon health, but there arc certain! esthetic advantages, r.t least, in remove! of dust and soot from air before it en ters buildings, and rcr.ovt! of poller, from the air of a single room or of a larg building has beer, proved practical ir. hay-fev-.r treatment. Other topics discussed can only be mentioned briefly here. They include the- fol lowing: cir-bomc bacteria, which have boon shewn to be suspended in the cir in considerable numbers, but still may not be of great practical importance; body and other odors, which have no direct harmful effect, but impair health indirect ly by affecting the appetite and comfort; ionized air, about which earlier the ories hi. vo bc-.r. exploded, but which has c minor effect; and finally, heat inter change as related to comfort. The last is a complex problem, as the action of the body is more complicated than that of any of the instruments that have been devised to measure comfort. The problem, of th-- heating and ventilation engineer with reference to these va rious phases of air conditioning is discussed, and some now solutions for some o. the problems are mentioned. The author says in conclusion that we should no Ion* er bo satisfied with th-. avoidance of obviously harmful conditions, but should achieve atmospheric conditions which produce an active sense of physical well being. 512 SOME MEDICAL ASPECTS 0? A MINER'S LIFE. S/.V.Fisher. Sci. & Art of Mining 47, 290 (Mar. 27, 1937); Colliery Guardian 154, 439-30 (Mar. 12, 1937). The author briefly discusses several occupational diseases including silicosis. In the case of silicosis he draws the conventional Picture of the course of sil ica and other dusts after they reach the lungs. He adds, however, that the process described occurs in healthy lungs. If abnormal conditions are proser.t, due to a previous acute luna disease, frequent colds, or perhaps an inhereted tendency, the normal elimination of dust is seriously interfered with, and the inhalation of fine, presumably innocuous lust, may result in accumulations which grcetly aggravate the original accumulation and lead toMfcrying degrees of fi brosis. Thus many miners with little or no working history of drilling or shot firing develop fibrosis. In other words, if for any reason alveolar dust climir. ation does net keep pace with dust inhalation, any type of dust can be harmful. 513 THE SAMPLING OF MIKE ROAD DUSTS. N. Simpkin and S. V. Wild. Sci, & Art of Mining 47, 262 (Feb. 27, 1937,. Methods in actual use may be divided into four classes: (1) removal of the dust, wholly or partial1;, in a definite strip from the roof, sides and floor; (2) removal of the dust- in increments; (3) the use of some form of vacuum sampler, and (4) collection from smooth plates fixed at chosen points on the roadway. In vestigations were unf.crte.kcn v/ith the object of throwing light upon two points: (l) a reliable but simple method that will ensure a true representation of the road dust from the viewpoint of combustible matter present; and (2) the reason able and allowable deviation from the true composition of the dust. No con clusions arc reported. HWBB-000962** - 14 514 ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS IN DEEP JUNES. (257H REPORT TO THE COMMITTEE ON "THE CONTROL OF ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS IN HOT ANT) DEEP NINES".) B.R.Lawton. Trans. Instil. Min. Engrs. London 9, 37-47 (Apr., 1937). The results of investigations of temperature conditions ir. deep coal nines, oarried on in Greet Britain during the past few years, arc summarized in this brief jftpor. The depth of the mines investigated arc from 2700 to 3900 feet. At the coal-face the. dry-bulb temperatures ranged up to 106F., end the usual wet-bulb range was 7C-88F. The air temperature was generally below the strata temperature by 7 to 35. It was shewn that the presence of men raises the humidity. The air velocities used insured comfortable working conditions in spite of the hi y: humidity. Air velocities cannot be increased int';--,i.n:.tcly without stirring up cast clouds. In one case 600 f.p.n. wr.s fonn- ore high, at a particularly dusty location, although the usual range was from ICO to 800 f.p.m. 515 A SUGGESTED SCHE!2 FOR THE COOLING BY COMPRESSED AIR. W. J. Yfalkcr. J. Chem. Net. & Tin. See. S. Africa 37, 351 (Feb. 193?}. The author proposes a system of re gene rati-.'; cooling similar to that used by Claude for liquefying gases. Air is compressed at the surface to a suitable pressure ar.d then expanded to a pressure ccrrt^rancing to about i;sF. Ih9 cooled air passes dtwn the nine in an ir.oul*ta_ pipe and then -.o '*he places where cooling is needed. Suitable heat exabenyr.z s extract ncae from the mine a air and the reheated air is finally utilized in driving air manor:: for various mine operations. The ccld air discharged from these motors produces an addition al ceding effoct. 516 SURFACE REFRIGERATION AT THE TURF SHAFT OF THE ROBINSON DSP, LUTE TED. E. J. !5aeWillian and J.T. TcIntyre. J. Ohem. Met. & Tin. Soo. So. Africa 37, 438-57 (Ifcr. 1937). A description of the largest mine-cooling system in the world, capable of cod ing 12 tons of air per minute from 65 to 33r-' wet bulb, thereby allowing access to rich veins of geld ore heretofere inaccessible. An incroase of steping depth of 1,500 feet beyond the present depth of 8,500 feet is expected. (C) Papers ~n Industrial Prisons, Cancer, Etc. 517 BRONCHOGENIC CARCINOMA. Carlton B. Pierce and Charles F. Ingersoll. Ind. Med. 6, 411-422 (July, 1937). The article describes a series of cases of lung cancer taken from all occupations According to tills survey, farmers were most frequently afflicted, and housewives next, while laborers in the various industrial tvnd-.a were least afflicted- How ever, the ratio for all trades and professions was a'-jat equal. In sex domdnar.c.. moles were higher chan females. Fourteen d'fferen': . .res are dcs-jrited ^iuh oharts showing various stages of progression cf tue diewase. EniphasJzod is the insidious character of the disease and the peculiarity of the or.caning sympeems. Concrete relation to industrial occupation in coirir.onion with ths disease is not considered. 518 INDUSTRIAL HEALTH IN SHANGHAI, CHINA; II. A STUDY OF TFE CHROMIUM PLATING AND POLISHING TRADE. B.E.Read, S.G.Hatom, Y.B.Diu *nd W.Y.Lce. Chinese Mod. Assoc. Spec. Rept., Ser. Ho. 6, 1936. This report deals with a study of diet and general health conditions in the plat ing and polishing industry in Shanghai. As a general practice workers ore housed where they work and given their food as part of their remuneration. Twenty-sevor per cent of the workers were boys aged 11 to 15 years, and the diets supplied wer entirely inadequate for the needs af growing boys or for hard work, and very de ficient in fats and animal proteins. Underweight, poor general health and dis eases due to dietary dcficior.cy are prevalent. The usual working day is 11 hours with only 2 rest days per month. Work is dono under appalling conditions of over crowding, bad ventilation and `dnstinoss. Apprentices sleep on the workshop floe ^ / GLrfz^, 0 Ui, _ es - 15 - and a loft above the shop is considered a superior sleeping accomodation. No yx protection against the irritani action of chromium fumes is afforded, and con-^ sequently nasal affections are common in the majority of workers, and serious g cases are frequent. Altogether the report presents a sordid picture of work -k'TB done in the worst possible environment, chiefly by children and young persons with little or no protection against the laiown hazards of their occupation. jj 51S ULCERATION OF THE HASAL ITERATES 3 PERFORATION OF T~S. -SEPTCS! IN A Copper- * PLATING FACTORV, UNUSUAL AND 3UDXI' INCIDENCE. M.H.3ars''y, K.Y.State j. Med. 37, 1031-4 (J\jr.e 1, 1937). A sudden outbreak of ulcerated nasal mer.brsr.es and other nasal disturbances oc curred in a plant limited to copper, bronze and nickel plating, and was follow ed by one pneumonia death. The author's investigation showed that as a result of changes in the process ^r.d the working conditions, there had been an increase in the amount of spray emanating fran the cyanide baths. The alkaline mist thus produced contained sodium copper cyanide, free sodium cyanide and caustic soda. The tanks to which most of the atmospheric contamination was traced were farth est from the windows which served as the main source of ventilation and which were closed in cold weather. After improving conditions, omearwhile closing the plant, no more trouble was experienced. The author believes that many such cases have not been recognized, as he has found no reports of similar cases in eopperplating establishments. 520 LEAD POISONING DIAGNOSIS. May R. Mayers, MD. Division of Industrial Kyg., N.Y. State Dept. Labor, 80 Centre St., Hew York, N.Y. Ind. Bull. 16, 289-90 (.July 1937) Reprints available at above address. Under the present excellent development of laboratory technique, there is a tendency among physicians to rely on laboratory findings in diagnosis, to the extent of neglecting the clinical picture presented by the patient. This is es pecially true in lead poisoning cases. Instances of this situation include cases recovering very slowly from lead poisoning; others where., in a patient who has been discharged as cured, there is a recurrence of symptoms after an interval of time has elapsed; and in cases developing subacute or chronic symptoms where there has been lead absorption for a Ion* time but never an acute attack of the disease, and other similar situations. In the cases mentioned, the laboratory information cannot possibly supply the complete picture The most puzzling situation arises when repeated laboratory reports show a very small but persist ent number of stippled cells. Instead of prolonging laboratory tests, the pa tient should be examined for other causes, with the same thoroughness as in the original examination. For such patients there are two possible methods of treat ment:- (l) de-leading, which will both indicate whether the stippled cells arise from the mobilization of stored lead, and remove as much of the stored lead as possible, and (277Xnerapy which insures the continuation of the lead in the stored state. De-leading must be carried on under carefully controlled condi tions, as there is danger in excessive treatment. In lead poisoning, as in other industrial diseases, there is no short cut to an accurate diagnosis and all factors must be considered. 521 CHRONIC LEAD POISONING. A. Nyfeldt. UgesW f. Laeger, 99, 283 (March 11, 1937) (Danish) Chronic lead poisoning was contracted by an employee of the criminal identifica tion bureau of the police department whose daily occupation for 26 years has been the examination of articles for finger prints. White lead is dusted in large amounts on each article and brushed away, causing considerable quantities to be inhaled by the operator, who is bending over to make the examination. The first symptoms of lead colic and lead neuritis appeared 20 years ago, and re cently symptoms of lead arthralgia have appeared. The presence of basophil punctuated erythrocytes confirmed the diagnosis. ij fz6 /S' /=3 r---^y1 iO 522 LUMINOUS PAINT POISONING. Linr.ie M. McMahon, Division of Industrial tygiene, N,Y. State Dept, of Labor, 80 Centre St., New York, N. Y Ind. Bull. 16, 251-2^5 (July, 1937) Reprints available at above address. ^ Luminous paint is made from zinc sulfide crystals -which have been made radioec-g tive by combination with radium and sometimes mesothorium salts, mixed with s either drying oil, varnish or a gum and -water. It is U6ed on watch and clock ^ dials, gauges and dials for airplanes, and scientific instruments. The industrg began in this country in 1913, and 2,000 workers of whom 350 were painters, wer* employed in 1929* The occupation proved to be hazardous, and a number cf deaths and disabilities resulted. In 1929 a survey of the industry in New York State was made by the above bureau, showing that 33 workers were using luminous paint. Seven were found to be radio active, indicating that they were in danger of the consequences, including necro sis of the jaw and other bones, and anemia. No official code of preventive rules has been adopted, but rules have been formulated from the best practices observed. There are 26 of these rules, which include medical and dental examination,. in struction in the hazards, the use of rubber gloves in all possible contacts with the paint, enclosure of materials in lead glass and metal containers, washing of utensils, covering the tables with paper, prohibition of eating or keeping food in the workroom, the use of smocks and caps during work, large and well ventilat ed rooms, and above all, strict prohibition of pointing the brushes with the mouth or fingers and of all contact of the paint with the skin. Neglect of this rule was the principal cause of the deaths that occurred in this industry in its early stages, end it is now rigidly enforced. However we do not yet knwr the effects of exposure to emanations of low power over long periods, and it must be considered potentially hazardous until further tests and studies have been made and sufficient time has elapsed to show any susceptibility under the best work ing conditions. 523 HEALTH PROTECTION FOL 7/ELDERS. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., New York City. Pamphlet, 27 pp. 1937. Free copies are obtainable from the Company. The health hazards to which welders are exposed include electric shock, burns, action of injurious light or heat rays, toxic gases and fumes, and metallic dusts. In oxyacetylene welding, the greatest danger is that of gas fires and explfdrtfins, and in eleotrie welding the greatest care must be taken to avoid ac cidental contacts, and in the treatment of shock. All emergency cases should be treated as respiratory failure. Men trained to give artificial respiration should be available at all times. The radiant energy given off in welding in cludes light and infrared and ultraviolet reys, in sufficient amounts to be in jurious, and eye protection must be given by goggles and helmets. Speoifioetions for such protection have been drawn by the U. S. Navy and by the American Stand ards Association. Harmful gases generated by the flame or arc include nitrous gases, carbon monox ide, and ozone. The nitrous gases are formed in electric welding, but rarely in injurious amounts in gas welding, and include nitrous oxide, which has no par ticularly irritating effect, and nitric oxide and nitrogen peroxide or dioxide, which are highly irritating. In prolonged exposure, 39 parts per million is the maximum permissible concentration, and 240 to 775 parts per million are rapidly fatal. Cases of poisoning among welders from oxides of nitrogen and ozone have occasionally been published in the medical literature. Carbon monoxide acts as an internal asphyxiant and is particularly dangerous because it gives no warning of its presence. The maximum allowable concentration is placed at LOO to 200 parts per million for prolonged exposure. Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, is not so dangerous unless it is so abundant as to reduce the oxygen supply. The es sential first aid treatment both for nitrogen oxides and for carbon monoxide con sists in removal to fresh air and artificial respiration. The following preven tive measures are recommended by the Harvard Laboratories of Industrial Hygiene: (1) general ventilation; (2) local exhaust ventilation: (3) use of respirators for gase6 and dusts, and (4) use of positive-pressure air helmets. p_0 'IP - 17 Harmful metallic oxides giver, off in the form of fumes or dusts in the welding process include lead, manganese, zinc (including brass and bronze), cadmium anc^ some rarer metals, and non-metals, such as phosphorus, selenium, and silicon, inj certain alloys, are possible sources of danger. Lead is the most dangerous, ^ partly because when taken in the lungs it is not eliminated but is deposited in various organs. Absorption of lead, however, is not necessarily followed by pois oning, and individuals vary greatly in ability to absorb and eliminate lead. ^ The only safe preventive measure is either a respirator designed especially for lead, or a positive pressure helmet. Cadmium is also definitely toxic, especial* ly in vapor farm, but nenganese and zinc are not seriously so. Workers with alloys containing silicon have shown fine nodulation in the lungs, resembling silicosis, but there was no clinical evidence of silicosis. Several possible explanations for this condition are suggested. Ventilating exhausts and suitable respirators should be provided for all possible sources of metal fume poisoning. 524 CARBON TETRACHLORIDE (IETRACHL031E THANE). Industrial Data Sheet D - Chen. 25 Nat* Safety News 36, 38 (Sept. 1937). Supplied to members of National Safety Council at 5 cents each. The principal hazard is that of poisoning by inhalation or by .contact with the skin. A concentration of 100 parts per million parts of air is considered the safe maximum for continuous exposure, but intermittent exposures may be higher for shorter pe riods, for example 400 parts pr million for 30 minutes. The health hazard is slight if proper equipment and ventilation are employed. Symptoms of chronic poisoning by inhalation include nervousness, loss of appetite, headache, nausea, jaundice, and kidney inflaasnation. Acute poisoning is indioated by head ache, nausea and lachrymation. Coma and death rarely follow in industrial activ ity. A victim should be removed to fresh air, and a physician should be simmoncd if symptoms are severe. Closed containers should be used if possible, but if rot, there should be adequate down draft ventilation, and gas masks and safety belts should be provided. Only selected persons should work with tetrachloride, exclud ing alcoholics, exceedingly fleshy or undernourished individuals and those with pulmonary disease, gastric ulcers, high blood pressures, liver, kidney or heart trouble. When carbon tetrachloride is mixed with other liquids, as in fire ex tinguishers, to reduce their flammability, only approved liquids should be used, and they should be mixed thoroughly, preferably by mechanical agitation, and tested frequently with a hydrometer to make sure that evaporation has not ohanged the proportions. Physical examination and frequent inspection of the processes are necessary. Carbon tetrachloride in contact with the skin dissolves the skin fat, causing it to dry and become irritated so that it will ohap, and mild derma titis may follow. Coeoa butter, vaseline or a good cold cream will restore the oil to the skin, ande lotion containing gum and glycerin is a good protectiTO agent. 525 POISONING BY TRICHLORETHYLENE. E. Holstein. Zentr. Gewerbehyg. Unfallverhut (German) 24, 49-54 (1937). "Tri" poisoning has occurred in Germany with 25 fatal results out of 280 cases during the last 20 years. The factories showed 75# of trichlorethylene cases due to oement used for fastening uppers. 526 APRAXIAS AND OTHER NEUROLOGICAL SEQUELAE OF CARBON MONOXIDE ASPHYXIA WITH A RE PORT OF A CASE. I.C.Nichols and M. Keller. Am. J. Psychiatry 93, 1063- 72 (Mar.'37 The paper describes autopsy findings in carbon monoxide poisoned patients who lived at least 7 weeks. Neurological and psychiatric manifestations are also dis cussed with special attention to aphasic disturbances. The case reported is that of a young man who could not relearn to write or copy simple geometrio figures, and was finally taught to write by spoken directions for each movement. After 2 years in the institution he developed eplleptio attacks. Other cases were mention* ed in the discussion, and the condition was attributed to anoxemia. MMBH-0009628 - 18 - 527 ASPHYXIATION AND DEATH I!' OXYGEN DEFICIENT AIR. Edwr.rd J. Powers. An. J Pub Health 27, 880-82 (Sept., 1937). A ccse is described ir. which three men were killed in a linseed oil reservoir which had been closed for three months. Tests of the blood of the victims proved that they died from the effects of oxygen deficiency end a pressure of carbon dioxide that far exceeded that in alveolar air. 523 INFLUENZA AND INDUSTRY. 'V. Blood. 3rit. Med. J. 1_, 1079-81 (May 22, 1937) A study of the epidemic of influenza affecting industrial workers showed that 19 of the 6,354 workers examined in a period of 2 months were -.ttacked in spite of usually excellent working conditions, and that factory v;.v-:er- af both sexes were more subject than other classes of workers. The rcaao.* ,'cr t.-.is may be the unavoidable contacts of a large number of persons, ratr.c- tr.ar. poor hygienic conditions. Females and young workers are tho most susceptible. The relation of public conveyances to the spread of influenza was also considered, but no evidence was found. e ,V*?)