Document JNK8G7JzLEQQnm5VMp5141bX2

O-n ---u (?!) a -2 -^ FOUNDATION FACTS ________________________ -Tarma-ry, .-lQAfl. This n- ws-!eit*v is ismi.i) monthly to n-.ombcr i/ompnmrs :in<l trade- assoi-uumns nftihuu.i with Air Hvciem- Founciniion. Its pir |-'>se is to report Foundation news mid ;kiiviDi.'S. Air Hygiene Foundation is a on: tin-i ship of industry and seienoc oisnnizod to nrotect the health of the I.'i million workmen in heavy industry. ____________________________ No. 1 Proxy Meeting Announced; No Need to Attend Notices are being sent out announcing the Foundation's "annual meeting," which for several years has been a proxy meeting. Actually, the real annual, meeting is held in November. The situation came about in this way: when the Foundation was formed the Code of Regulations fixed the annual meeting for the second Tuesday in Feb ruary. It was soon discovered that November was a more practical time for such a meet ing, and the February meeting became a proxy meeting. This year we wish to amend the Code of Regulations to make the November data the official annual meeting. Please re turn your proxy. X-Ray Bulletin in Press The manuscript for the Foundation's second bulletin on X-ray has been turned over to the printer. It will be issued in several weeks. This bulletin is the result of research supported by the Foundation at University of Pennsylvania. The Study at tempts to develop more definite standards in X-ray reading which has always been "more of an art than a science." A digest of this bulletin was given by Dr. S. Reid Warren, Jr., at the Foundation's November meeting. Meeting Proceedings and Absenteeism Report Being Prepared The formal Proceedings of the Foundation's November meeting, including the text of all reports presented, are now being prepared for publication. The material will be turned over to the printer in the near future. The Proceedings will not in clude Dr. A.J. Lanza's report, and the resulting discussion on sick absenteeism. So important is this absenteeism data that it will be issued as a separate bulletin in our Medical Series. It will also include a manual and forms prepared by the U.S. Pub lic Health Service and revised in cooperation with our Medical Committee. This is for the use of member companies, who will be urged to take part in the Foundation's pro jected study of absenteeism. The bulletin will be available in the near future -- more details in the next News Letter. Industrial Health "Inventories" Urged "....I strongly urge that progressive companies currently obtain information as to dust, fumes, etc., under prevailing working conditions. It is even advisable to have this data prepared by a disinterested and recognized authority in the medical or engineering field of industrial health, because if the information is secured by the company's own employees, it is often disregarded by Compensation Committees or the Courts on the basis that it is prejudiced, just as is often the case when the data has been obtained by so-called 'experts' after cases have been filed, and when it is neces sary to prove that the conditions then found were the same as those prevailing before or at the time of the alleged 'accident.' The Air Hygiene Foundation is in an excel lent position to undertake the 'disinterested' examinations, and if harmful conditions are found, to advise what corrective steps should be taken............. " --Mr. Andrew Fletcher, Vice President St. Joseph Lead Company. IYOIENE rOUNDATlC. 4400 PM 6NUE PITTSBURGH. FA. HWB8-8009933 HwB-GBG993m Air Hygiene Foundation, 4400 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. January 17, 1940. DIGEST OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE Literature--News--Developments News Items: 1. Annual Meeting of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, New York City, February 12-la, 1940. Mr. O.M. Schaus, Chairman of the Committee on Health and Safety in Mines, with the assistance of Daniel Harrington, U.S. Bureau of Mines, and R.R. Sayers, U.S. Public Health Service, has drawn up a very interesting program of which the articles on Health, are hero listod: Pneumoconiosis Due to Certain Silicates. W.C. Drecsen, National Insti tute of Health, Washington, D. C. Sickness Absenteeism--Is Industry Concerned and What Can Industry Do About It. C.D. Selby, General Motors Corp., Detroit. Dust Control Program at the Hiwassec Dam Aggregate Plant. David F. Shaw, Hiwassec Dam, N. C. Pyrophyllite Dust: Its Effect and Control. M.F. Trice, State Board of Health, Raleigh, N. C. Ventilation and Dust Control at Ontario Mines. A motion picture film. 2. X-ray treatments may be of critical value in speeding recovery from carbon mon oxide poisoning. This statemont is based on results obtained with such treat ments of monkeys and other animals. Monkeys exposed to concentrations of this gas that would otherwise have been fatal recovered rapidly when treated with moderate amounts of x-rays. Young rats and rabbits can withstand six to ten times as great exposure to carbon monoxide as adult animals. No such change of resistance with advancing age was found in such higher animals as guinea pigs and monkeys. Science Nows Letter, January 6, 1940. . Papers on Dust, Dust Disoasos and General Industrial ijygieno. 3. Silicosis Research in Ontario. Can. Min. J., 60, 478-481 (August 1939). A summary of the report of the Ontario Mining Association dealing with silicosis. More attention is being directod to the reduction of air dustiness at operat ing drills. Etaphasis is placed on the necessity of collaring wet. A combina tion air throttle and water valve is being developed to insure full flow of water through a drill at all open positions of the throttle. Air throttles having a , blowing position in the valve should be reaaoved after sinking. Although of higher upkeep cost, dustless drills have shown thoir superiority in reducing dust dispersed. Mine managers are reminded of the desirability of protecting steper machine runners until more adequato moans of reducing dust produced by these machines is discovered. Interest is being shown in reducing dust frem blasting. Progress has boon made in more general use of the bum cut or "shatter Cut." There has boon a decrease in amount of early blasting done. More minos are using the waterblast in dead ends. Definite improvement in ventilation of mines in the province is noted with detailed discussion. HWBB-0009935 Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 2. 'C'C- 4. Silicosis in Slate Quarry Miners. T.W. Davies. Tubercle, 20, 543-055 (September 1939)" (British). At31acnau Ffestiniog, Wales slate is mined very extensively. It contains 55$ silicon dioxide, 24$ aluminum oxide and 10$ iron oxide. Among females in this region, the rates for tuberculosis are practically the same as for .Vales as a whole but for males, the percentage of all deaths is 12.7 compared to 5.3 for the whole country. For males up to of, years of age the actual death rates were 0.73 for the whole of l/alos and 1.20 in 31aenau Ffestiniog, whereas the rates for males over 55 wore 0.94 for Wales and 7.32 for tills region. Out of 117 quarry workers examined, silicosis in one or other of its three stages was diagnosed in five-eighths. 5. Tuberculosis Survey in Vermont. I.. Rabinovitz, E.J. Roger and H.S. Slocum. Am. g Rev. Tubcrc., 40., 435-443 (October 1939). The, tuberculosis dv.ath rat: in Washington County, the center of the granite indus try, is excessive even during recent years. For the poriod 1934-1937, the rate was 154 per 1.00,000 which though considerably less than the rate for 1925-1929 (206 per 100,000), was still almost fivo times that for the rost of the state. The rate for the state, excluding Washington County, averaged 34 per 100,000. 6. Fibrosis of the Lungs. G.T. Hebert. Tubercle, 20, 145-160 (January 1939). (British). In a test of modern opinion on the diagnosis of the different forms of fibrosis from radiological appearances alone, thirty films wore selected from different patients, 10 of whom had, and 20 had not, an appreciable degree of fibrosis as judged from a careful clinical and radiological examination of each case. Those were shown to 70 individuals, including radiologists, chest hospital physicians, sanatorium superintendents, tuberculosis officers, and others with experience of radiology of the chest. The question was askod on oach film whether a specified form of fibrosis could be diagnosed confidently in 3omo particular area, or in certain instances in the lungs as c -whole. In the results as a whole, fibrosis was diagnosed when present in 57$ of the replies and when absent in 35$. By leaving out the replies on 11 "difficult" films these percentages were altered to 75 ana 29 respectively. Hence on x-ray films fibrosis does not always give recog nizable evidence of its presence, and at tines evon experts find it when it is not present to a significant degree. The Problem of Pncumoc jniosis and its Relation to Tuberculosis. A. Policnrd. Rev. d*hyg. ot do mod, prev., 61, 161-178 (1958). (French). (Review by Dr. L.U. Gardner for J. Ind. Hyg. & Toxicol., January, 1940). . Prof, Policard states his intention f attempting to summarize current knowledge of silicosis and related tuberculosis, indicating definitely known facts and re viewing various hypotheses that have been advanced. He points out the Internation al Labour Office, by colling together various experts in Geneva last September performed a signal service in clarifying intematkiEl opinion upon this subject. Aftor reviewing the evidence he oincludes that there can be no quostion but that inhaleddust of any type is retained in the lungs, that carbon is harmless, that quartz is irritating and that nixed dusts are dangerous in proportion to the amount of silica that they contain. On the action of silicate dusts ho finds no general agreement. Threshold values for hamful atmospheric concentrations can be established for each particular kind of dust or mixtures of dusts. The average period necessary to produce reaction can also bo detenainod. This poriod is al ways a matter of years and ho regards so-called "acute silicosis" with scepticism since it is almost, invariably associated with tuberculosis. To his mind al most any dust produces a pathological reaction characterized by a generalized fibrosi3 in the interstitial tissue. Silica noroly produces more roaction than KwBB-8009936 Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 3. the other dust3 although it may form microscopic pseudo-nodules without hyaline centers. (The reviewer would point out that such lesions are extremely common in coed miners and that Professor Policard1s other papers have health chiefly with anthraco-silicosis). The roentgenographic pattern of this non-specific pneumo coniosis consists merely of linear exaggeration of the normal pulmonary shadows. Since tho subjects have no symptoms and in most countries are permitted to con tinue at work he believes that this condition is not a disease but merely a path ological state. (American opinion is in full agreement but most observers would go further and include in the same category a majority of cases with simple dis crete nodulation.) Policard admits that tho roentgenograms of the Rand miners may show fine nodulation which passes over into coarse nodulation with the advent of infection but he thinks that autopsy material on cases of uncomplicated silicosis is too .limited to permit evaluation of the pathology. He signals out the ex perimental observations of the reviewer, which purported to demonstrate that sili ca would produce nodular fibrosis in the absence of infection, as immaterial be cause the nodules were not exactly the some as those in tho human subject. He affirms that the experimental nodules were not fibrous, but this is a matter of opinion. The language diffic'iltics at the meeting wore apparently responsible for certain erroneous impressions as to the proportion of silica in dust that would cause reaction. The reviewer reported beginning fibrosis after 3 years' exposure to ferruginous chert containing 00$ silica although Policard stated that no fibro sis resulted vfith dusts containing less than 98$ silica. Ho affirmed that nono of the silicates had caused fibrosis in experimental animals although the reviewer had attempted to demonstrate that inhaled asbestos would produce such reaction but that particulate silicates produced no fibrosis when injected into extrapulaonary tissues. Policard concludes this reaction with the statement that while it would bo preferable to test the effects of injurious dusts upon animals rather than upon human beings, thus far the experimental method has proved inadequate. The solu bility hypothesis, to explain the tissue damage from silica, he accepts in princi ple but points out that the various stngos of such reaction are not understood. He reviews the data on the inhibitory effects of alumina and his own theories on in terchanges of bases in silicates in contact with body fluids, which alter the capacity of such minerals to cause irritation. He reviews in detail important contributions to the subject of the relationship between silicosis and tuberculo sis. He emphasizes the frequent association of the two conditions and points out taeir mutual interaction, the silica stimulating the growth of the tubercle bacill us and the tuberculous lesion favoring the retention of the silica. He discusses silico-tuberculosis, describing the well known features of its pathological, roent genological and clinical manifestations. He then inquires whether there can be any pure pneumoconiosis (silicosis apart from infection) and concludes that if it exists it is marely a pathological condition and not a disease productive of symp toms and disability* 8. An Inquiry into tho Effects of Occupation on the Pulmonary Condition of Stone-Ma sons. K.R. Moore and C.A. Kuhlnan. Med. J. Australia. 2, 267-274 (1939). A report of a clinical and radiological survey of 355 workers in the stone-mason industry in New South Woles, Victoria and South Australia. Inspection of working conditions and dust counts were also made. Two types of pulmonary fibrosis were found as well as evidence of other more acute respiratory conditions which may be occupational in character. Of 368 masons examined, 111 or 41.4$ were found to be afflicted with pulmonary fibrosis of moderate or advanced degree or from tuber culosis. Of the eight cases of silicosis uncovered, all except one were found among workers in sandstone which had a high content of free silica (86$ to 95$). These workers developed fibrosis earlier and in more severe foim than those using granite or other stones with a low silica content. There was also evidence of industrial disease in other groups, such as polishers and sawyers. -`iiif'fck-0009937 Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 4. 9. Structure and Mode of Formation of Fibrotic Areas in Pneumoconiosis. A. Pollcard, L. Crozier and E. Martin. Ann. d'anat. pathol., IjS, 97-132 (1939). (French). Report of examinations of fibrotic sections of lunge of coal miners who have al so worked in rock. The authors report that definite and characteristic signs o tuberculosis wore alv.'ays present and they conclude that a pure silicosis is rar if it exists at all. 10. Secondary Silica as a Probable Factor of Silicosis in South Wales. A.H. Cox. Proc. S. Wales Inst. Engrs., 547 161-167 (September 1958)1 (British). It is the author's opinion that tho high incidence of silicosis in the South Wales anthracite field is due to the free silica, and particularly the secondary silica in the shalo3 'which accompany the coal. It has been observed that much shale- overlying the coal was ripped to make height in working places. Being in 'm exceedingly fine state of subdivision, this secondary silica is difficult to detect microscopically and practically impossible to determine quantitatively. 11. A Cutaneous Te3t for Tissue Reactions in Animals with Dusts Causing Pneumoconio sis. S.R. Gloyne. Tubercle, 20, 561-562 (September 1939). (British). The author uses a compromise between intra- and subcutaneous routes which might be described as a cutaneous inoculation. The test may bo useful as a simple routine technique for dust-testing. The advantago is that the lesion is not spoiled by any natural intorcurrcnt diseases of the animal, such as pneumonia or pseudo-tuberculosis. Study 12. Report of Dust/Conductoa in Granite Monument Cutting Plants in South Carolina. R.M. Brown. Bulletin, So. Carolina"State Board of Health, Ind. Hyg. Div. (1939). In this survey of twelve monument and tombstone cutting plants, high concentra tions of dust were found in every stone cutting operation. Tho average concen trations for the majority of the plants and for the industry as a whole were f'und to be dangerously above the limit of 10 million particles per cubic foot of air for granite dust. ' 13. The Chemical Properties of Siliceous Industrial Dusts. E.V.A. Briscoe. J.Roy. Soc. Arts,^~3S,r 104-122 (December 15. 1939). (British). In the author's opinion, there has been no clear proof that the causative agent of silicosis is silica. Since substances other than free silica, such as asbes tos, or tho silicates present in anthracite coal dust, can also produce disabling changes in the lung similar, according to the author, to those produced by free silica dust, ho feels that both "free silica" and these silicates have some con stituent in common which i3 the real cause of damage. As evidence that soluble silica is not to blnrne, tho author quotes tho examples of exposure to cement dust or coal dust containing siliceous ash which produce no lung disease. In his opinion, the accepted methods of dust collection such as wetting, produce changes in tho samples which lead to erroneous conclusions as to their chemical reactivity. His e_^satisfaction led him to doviso new methods of collection which ho divides int.. three classes: (a) volatile crystal filters; (b) soluble crystal filters; and (c) the "labyrinth." Using dust collocted by the latter means, it was found tnat dust of the magnitude of less than 1 micron was three timos as soluble as dust of 2-3 microns. It is believed that there may be a selective solubility effect on the various mineral dusts so that methods of col lection using wator as a medium do not give a true picture of the dust as it is breathed. Little value,according to tho author, can be placed on findings obtained by examining minerals in the lung at autopsy; these may have been con siderably changed. He feels that further experiments need to be undertaken v/ith artificially prepared dusts using careful control of its characteristics so that any resulting effects could be absolutely attributed to than. Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 5. BB0B09938 14, Method of Neutralizing the Condition Producing Qualities of Finely Pulverized Siliceous Materials. J.J. Denny and W.D. Hobson. U.S. Patent24-56,378 (ilay 2, 1939). That silicosis can be prevented by introducing finely powdered aluminum dust i quartz-laden air, as in mines, is the claim of these authors. The method for dispersing the aluminum is by mixing it into the blasting charge. They also sugg* gost that silicosis can bo "neutralized" by allowing silicotics to breathe the " aluminum dust by means of some inhalator device. 15. Dusts Produced by Mining Processes. H.S. Patterson. J.Chem. Mot. & Min. Soc. Sc. Africa (May 1959). Following a survey of the difference in dust clouds in mining operations and other means of production, the author who is engaged in dust researches at the Physico-Chemical Investigation Department of the Transvaal Chamber of Mines, Johannesburg, discusses the particle-size distribution in dusts produced by wet & drilling, dry-drilling, hand-hammer drilling, ore-bin tipping, blasting and shov elling, and reports briefly on the dust concentrations inhaled by various opera tives in ahe gold mines in Witwatersrand. 15. Servicing Respirators and Goggles. M.K. Krononberg and H. Guilbert. National Safety News', 40, 66 (October 1939). To clean, sterilize, inspect and repair their large investment in goggles and respiratory protective equipment, the Pullman Company has provided a central agency for this purpose. If necessary, the attendant can service one hundred men a day with this type of equipment. However, a larger supply than is needed is kept on hand to allow for passage through this storeroom. This new arrangement is very popular with the men since they have more confidence in their protective equipment and value it more highly because of the Company's efforts to keep it in perfect condition. 17. Breathe Freely. V.'.P. Biggs. Safety Engineering, (November, December 1939). A discussion of the various typos of respiratory protective equipment with com ments on care and use. The author is Safety Engineer of the U.S. Navy Depart ment and mentions the special tests such as resistance to sterilization, to cor rosion, freedom of materials from skin irritants, etc., which are required by that organization. 18. Ohio Industrial Hygiene Bulletin. Ohio Department of Health, 1^, 2 pp. (November 1939). , Contains a discussion of lead poisoning in Ohio and reports a large proportion of the total number of occupational disease cases to be of this disease. A brief article considers the basophilic aggregation test warning that in chronic lead poisoning this tost may be positive, but usually is not. In persons exposed to lead and other substances such as benzol, toluol, xylol, etc., abnormal percent ages of basophilic-containing colls nay not be caused by the lead alone, but by those other .substances .jt both. The anemias, other diseases involving the red blood corpuscle and occasionally certain infectious diseases may cause the normal range to be exceeded. Further consideration is given to the subject of vapor determinati ons .and control of the halogenatcd hydrocarbons. 19. Ohio Industrial Hygiene Bulletin. Ohio Department of Health, 1, 2 pp. (October 1939). ~ Contains a discussion jn halogenatcd hydrocarbons dealing mainly with their chcm- istry, physical properties and industrial uses. There is also a general report on carbon monoxide poisoning for the statistical period, October 1, 1938 to September 30, 1939. SL,-. f=3 -a Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 6. 20. Hole of Engineer in Air Sanitation: IT* rn tfs Typical Problem in Industrial Sanitation* J.J. Bloomfield. Proc. Am. Soc. Civ. Engrs., 65, 1484 (November 1939). A discussion of the role of the engineer in industrial sanitation studies, indi-S eating the trends in this field of public health. After the physician has recogja nized the existence of those diseases associated v.ith tho working environment, is the engineer's function to study the conditions that may be detrimental to x health, and by precise quantitative measurements, to determine the extent of the hazard. Onco tho nature and degree of the hazard have been demonstrated, it is also an engineering problem to devise methods for minimizing or controlling tho dangerous condition, and lastly to estimate the effectiveness of these measures. 21. Twenty-Five Years Progress in Prevention of Accidents and Silicosis in Witwatersrand Mines. E.H.A. Joseph. J. Chem. Met. & Min. Soc. So. Africa, 40, 34-50 (August 1939). A review of measures adopted to reduce tho risk of accidents and silicosis; legis lative control of safety and health in mining; and the results achieved. A dis cussion of silicosis prevention work and the prosent organization is also given. 22. Disabling Illness in Slaughter and Meat Packing Industry. H.P. Brinton, H.E. Seifert and 2.S. Frasier. U.S. Pub. Health Reports, 54, 2196-2219 (December 15, 1939). This is another of the reports covering statistical material collected by the Occupation Morbidity and Mortality Study of the National Health Survey of 1935 1937. Tho data was transcribed from the sick benefit organization records of the participating companies. The highest frequency rates for illness lasting 8 or more days were found among cold meat workers, among white males; scalers, wrappers and packers, among white femalos; and by-products workers, among Negro moles. These high rates were duo in large part to an excessive number of respiratory dis eases. Rates for rheumatic diseases were high in warn and cold meat workers, sausage and casing workers, and curing workers. Exposure to high humidity and wet conditions showed the highest rates in environmental analyses, while of the material hazards, hides and wool, glue and entrails, appeared to be the most dangerous, with digestive diseases as the apparent sequelae. 23. Evaluation of the Industrial Hygiene Problem of the State of Maine. E.W. Campbell, Director, Dept. Health and Welfare, Bur. of Health, Div, of Sanitary Engin., Augusta, Maine, 1938. This publication has just recently been made available. It is a survey, accom panied by numerous tables, of the potential health hazards of this State. It re commends the formation of a state bureau of industrial hygiene. 24. . Industrial Medicine in 1938. Internat. Labor Office Year Book, 1938-1939, Chapter IV, pp. 107-126. A general article on various industrial maladies, studies made, and laws passed in various countrios. The nutrition of workers is widely studied and the problem of rest pauses, lunch periods and factory meals investigated. Lead, mercury, chromium and other toxic agents are considered; pneumoconiosis is given special attention. Eyesight, X-rays, ankylostomiasis and cancer are briefly considered as well as the position of the factory doctor, medical care, hygiene in special trades and medical inspection. 25. Survey of Industrial Disease. W.J. Connell. Safety Engineering, J78, 37-38 (December 1939). An outline of a lecture delivered at New York University's Center for Safety Edu cation. The author discusses very briefly dusts, gases, fumes, toxic substances and other general problems of industrial hygiene. HW8B-0UB9940 Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 7. 26. Preliminary Industrial Hygiene Survey of Indiana Industries. L.W. Spolyar. Indiana State Board of Health, Bur. Ind. Hyg., Indianapolis, Ind., pp. 162, 1939 This is another of the series of surveys undertaken under direction of the U.S. Public Health Service. It evaluates the potential problems of industrial hygien found in this state. A convenient type of chart presents the frequency distri bution of plants according to the number of workers employed. 27. Occupational Diseases of the Pharmacist. E.R. Hnyhurst. The Merck Report. {July 1939). J"U Occurrence of occupational disease is rare among pharmacists, only 31 out of 3,803 claims being reported for six years in Ohio. Of these, fifteen were fe males, chiefly employed at soda fountains. Of the 31 cases, twenty-two were for dermatitis, cleaning solution accounting for 9; various other chemicals for 9; two of impetigo and epidermophytosis, probably from handling money; one from hand 0 ling labels and wrapping paper and one duo to irritation from a starched apron. Two casos of constitutional poisoning occurred in women from filling capsules with dinitrophenol. Tenosynovitis of the wrist joint occurred in a labeler, also in a wrapper and prepatellar bursitis in a man who was trimming windows. Three cases of chronic, low-grade carbon monoxide poisoning were reported in clerks checking stock in the basement of a drug store. Most of the afflictions of this trade fall in the partly occupational group. 28. Mines Inspection in 1938. Colliery Guardian, 159, 866-868 (December 15, 1939). (British). The nystagmus figure for 1937 showed a considerable reduction compared with other years. The incidence of beat knee increased by over 50% in the period reviewed. The rates for silicosis for the Northern division are extremely low. There is an apparent lack of progress in the use of protective equipment. 29. Efforts to Use Workers who are Chronically 111. J. Am. Med. Assoc. (Berlin let- tor), 113, 1748 (November 4. 1959). . Attention is being directed in Germany toward the employment of the chronically ill, because of tho shortage of workers. It is the factory inspectors respon sibility to find tho right job for the right person and to see that the health of these workers is not undenainod., 30. Artificial Sunlight for Miners. J. Am. Med. Assoc. (Stockholm letter), 113, 1653 (October 28, 1939). Associated with the use of a solarium for underground workers for two years, is a decrease in frequency of 1-day illnesses and of catarrhal diseases of the respir atory tract, the latter very marked. There was also a reduction in the morbidity rate from 9.7 days per head to 8*5. After three months use, the average calcium content of the blood serum rose from 9.9 mg. to 10.5 mg. per 100 c.c. 31. Miners' Health and Welfare. S.W. Fisher. J. Roy. Inst. Pub. Health and Hyg., 2, 476-484 (August 1939). (British). This article deals with the health and safety of coal miners in Great Britain. A description of tho existing statutory requirements for first aid is given. Other subjects dealt with are rescue work, miners' nystagmus, incidence and pre vention of silicosis, beat hand, knee and elbow, boils and carbuncles. Boils as well as generalized dermatitis occur mostly in mines where the air temperature is high and the velocity low. VL. Ke> (?=3 -^5 <. = Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 8. 32. The Bnployment of the Deaf in the United Kingdom. M.L. Clark and G.P. Crowden. Joint Report. National Institute for the Deaf and the Department of Industrial Physiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, 1939. This study investigated the difficulties of the deaf in securing employment and ways in which these obstacles might be overcome. The data covers 6155 individ uals in 345 occupations. Tables are shown listing occupations successfully fol lowed by the deaf--the skilled worker has no difficulty in holding a position in the industrial world, the difficulty comes with the older unskilled workers. The replies from industrial finns reveal that there is a definite belief that the employment of a deaf person is an additional risk, placing an unjustified liability on the employe- 33. The Effects of Working Conditions upon the Health of London Central Buaaen, Re port of Conferences. Ministry of Labor. H.M. Stationery Office, London, 1939. (British). The conferences were held to investigate the complaints of bus workers that their work was unduly exacting and injurious to their health. Comparison with a previous study showed that those workers had about 15# moro days of gastric ill ness than might bo expected from their ago groups. Stress was laid on two gener al factors in the causation of these gastric distrubances: (1) irregularity of hours of work and meal times; and (2) nervous anxiety and temperament. It was suggested that consideration be given to the desirability of introducing a system providing for a longer interval between shifts of work, shortening of spells of work before a meal relief, increase in tine allowed for meals, etc. While it is obvious that there is some nervous strain involved in operating a passenger ve hicle through congested traffic, there is no means of estimating its importance as a contributory factor in the observed excess of gastric illness. 34. "Huwood" Dust Collector. Colliery Guardian, 159, 547 (October 20, 1939). (Brit ish). A description of a device which acts in a manner similar to a vacuim cleaner. From a spocial collar on the drill steel, a rubber hose loads to a cylindrical tank which is filled with a bag-like filter cloth. An injector worked by com pressed air is provided and the tank cover is fitted with a system of baffle plates through which the injected air escapes. 35. Formation, Collection, and Treatment of Coal Dust in Minos. D. Harrington. G.S. Bur. Mines, Inf. Circ. No. 7089 (September 1939). The author points out that a combination of watering methods around working faces on loading piles, on the floors of main haulage ways, etc., together with rock dusting all other dry surfaces, maintenance of circulation of fresh air, and pro hibition of open flames or electric ar-cs "will ultimately solve the combined hoalth-safoty problem in coal minos, as regards prevention of widespread explo sions and fires, as well as the avoidance of diseases of workors through breath ing of hamful quantities of dust." 36. A Standard Air Filter Test Dust. F.B. Rowley and R.C. Jordan. Heating, Piping & Air Conditioning, 11, 633-638 (October 1939). This dust'i3 made up of 80# Pocahontas ash screened through a 200-mesh sieve plus 20# double bolted carbon dust of 100 mesh. Variations of this could be made to conform to the type of dust the filter would meet in practice. In the described tests, dust was fed at the rate of 40 grains an hour and the face velocity at the filters was 300 f.p.m. HUBB-00999U  _ CN Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 9. 37, Flow Pattern and Pressure Drop in Cyclone Dust Collectors, C.B. Shepherd and C.E. Ltpple. Ind. Eng, Chean., Indust. Ed., 31, 972-904 (1939). The results of experiments conducted in a 12 inch glass cyclone arrestor indicat spiral flow patterns without evidence of secondary eddy currents. A theoreti cal analysis of flow characteristics correlates data on pressure drop with varia tion of design, proportion of inlet width, inlot height end exit duct diameter, on the assumption of primary energy loss in the high velocity upward spiral of the exit duct. Formulae are presented for such calculations in practice. The use of straightening vanes in an extension below the exit duct results in an appreciable reduction of pressure drop, which was also reduced by heavy dust loading. 3Q. The Time Factor in Deep Mine Ventilation--Some Deductions from Borehole Temporetures and Allied Observations. J.P. Roes. J. Chcm.Mot.Min.Soc. So. Africa, 39, 311-312 (April 1939). The rate of rock cooling and the heating effect of the rock on air have been mathematically analyzed. A discussion of the general moasuros for combating the heat problem is given. 39. 02one in Vontilation--Its Possibilities and Limitations. W.N. Wither!dge and O.P. Yaglou. Heating, Piping and Air Conditioning, 11, 648-653 (October 1939). A concentration of 0.015 p.p.m, of ozone which can barely be smelled is suffi ciently effective in reducing the smell of body odor to pomit a reduction of at least 50% in the requirement for fresh air. Higher concentrations wore irritat ing to tho upper respiratory tract, while lower had no effect on body odors. Its action appoars not to be by oxidation on the air of the room but on the nasal mucosa by masking. Tho main objection to the application of ozone to ventilation is lack of control. Until adequate means arc devised for controlling the ozon ators from the actual concentration in occupied spaces, the use of o2one should be discouraged because of its great toxicity. 40. On tho Seasonal Variation of Forehead Temperature and Its Relation to Feeling of Comfort. W. Liose. Gesundheits-Ingcnieur, 62, 345-50 (June 24, 1939). (Geigtan). A study made on a number of persons in 1938-39 giving relation of the temperature of tho forehead to goneral physiological foaling of comfort. A bibliography is given, 41. Air Conditioning. D.O. Shiels. Health Bulletin, Dept, of Public Health, Victoria Australia, Nos. 55 ana 56, pp. 1553-1560 (July-December 1938). A discussion of the physical and physiological principles of air conditioning and its application to offices, schools, industries, hospitals, etc. 42. Air Conditioning and Comfort at Altitudes between 1500 and 2700 Meters. U. H. Hottingcr. Gesundheits-Ingonlcur, 62, 193-197 (April 3, 1939). (German). A Swiss survey of atmospheric conditions and physiological comfort at varying altitudes. Comfort curves are given. 43. Summer Cooling Requirements in Washington, D.C., and Other Metropolitan Districts. F.C. Koughten, C. Gutborlot and A.A. Rosenberg. Heating, Piping and Air Condi tioning, !!_, 587-591 (September 1939). An effective temperature of about 71F. is the most popular in warn weather after the occupants have become adapted to the cooled atmosphere. This has been con firmed by recent comfort studies on 73 men and women working in the cooled offices of the Federal Reserve Building, Washington, D. C. .'PS) ~--ZJ es Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 10. 44. Subjective Impressions of Freshness in Relation to Environmental Conditions. T. Bedford and C.G. Warner. J. Hygiene, 39, 498-511 (September 1939). Results of observations made upon the relation between subjective impressions of freshness and the temperature, velocity and humidity of the air. It is shown that maintenance of a suitable degree of warmth is not the only requisite of a really satisfactory system of heating and ventilation, even though the index of warmth considered makes adequate allowance for the thermal effects of air volociDp and other variables. The room should bo as cool as is compatible with comfort, chore should be adequate air movement which should be variable, the relative hu midity should be kept well below 70$, the average temperature of the walls should not be lower than that of tho air and, lastly, the air should be free from objec tionable odors. 45. Spectro-Analysis in the Diagnosis of some Occupational Diseases, Experimental and Clinical Investigations Employing ELectrolytical Methods. F. Capclli. Med. del lavoro, 17, 206-216 (1939). (Italian). This is an account of experimental work with mercuric chloride with animals and also on a female hat 'worker. Tho author shows tho advantage of electrolytical and spectroanalytical methods. Ho also reports on a study of tho literature re garding cadmium sulfate and experiments on rabbits. 46. Methods for the Detection of Toxic Gases in Industry? Chlorine. Leaflet No. 10. Dept. Sci. & Industr, Research, H.M. Stationery Office, London, 1939. (British). Exposure to chlorine occurs chiefly during its manufacture and use, generally as the result of accidents in which large quantities escape. Dangerous concentra tions may be found in alkali, bleaching and chemical plants, dye-making and dyeing works, the tinplate industry, at water purification systoms, etc. Acute poison ing is unusual as its physical qualities make it easily detected. As low as 1 p.p.n. can be recognized by smell. It is possible that there is some degree of tolerance acquired but chronic effects such as chronic bronchitis, eye affections, chronic gastritis, end sleeplessness have been described. The effects of var ious concentrations (parts by volume) are: 1 to 1000, brief oxposure rapidly fatal by asphyxia; 1 in 10,000, exposure of few seconds is intolerable; 1 to 20,000, exposure for 30 minutes causes acute pulmonary edaaa; 1 in 100,000 will cause bronchitis in ono hour; and 1 to a million, prolonged exposure is permissible. A simple method of detecting and estimating is described. Samples of the air to be tested are drawn, by a hand pimp of known capacity, through a bubbler of o-tolidino until the depth of color is equal to that of one of a series of stan dards preparod from potassium dichromate solution. By reference to a table, the number of pump strokes will give the concentration. Is Gas Present? E.G. Meiter. National Safety News, 41_, 24 (January 1940). An able review of modern methods for tho control of industrial gas hazards. The writer discusses tho flame safety lamp; the Hoolamite and ampoule-type carbon monoxide detectors, the carbon monoxide indicator, alarm, and recorder; the hydrogen sulfide and hydrocyanic gas detectors; the portablo gas interferometer; the halide refrigorant gas leak detector; and the various devices for the detec tion of combustible gases. 48. A Now Method for the Mi predetermination of Manganese in Bilogical Materials. A.C. Wiese end B.cV Johnson. J. Biol. Chem., 127, 203-209 (1939). This method is based upon the oxidation of benzidine by pormangate in the pre sence of nitric acid. The yellow green color i3 road with the photoelectric colorimeter with a 4200 A. filter. It is possible to perform 6-8 filtrations through the samo filter and then read the colors developed, in this way reading 30-40 determinations in an hour. From 0.1 to 100 gamma (micrograms) can be esti mated and recoveries range from 92 to 106$. MBB-0009943 CS/CF=3 Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 11. 49. Apparatus for Taking an Average Sample of Variable Flow of Gas. A. Blackie. J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 58, 293-296 (September 1939). A description of two typer, of apparatus for sampling gas (or liquid) flowing in pipes. By utilizing a pin hole orifice and appropriate containers and weights in the lines leading from venturi tap3 on the pipe, samples of the gas are ob tained which are proportional in composition to that flowing. This arrangement . takes into account variations in velocity, pressure, and density in the main stream by virtue of the similarity of pressure drop through venturi and orifice. 50. Atmospheric Pollution. ?. Drinker. Ind. & Eng. Chcm., 31_, 1316 (November 1939). Any departure from normal air may be regarded as evidence of pollution. This may take the form of any abnormal concentration of gas, mist, solid or even radium emanations. It may bs harmful to plant and animal life, it may be a nuisance, it may fono explosive mixtures with air or it may be detrimental to machinery or manufacturing processes. Such pollution is usually the product of man'3 acti vities but may be, as in the case of fogs and dust stoma, of natural origin. Those of human production are in the main preventable; the control of those of climatic nature are in the experimental stage. The solution of many pollution problems has been speeded because of economic rocoveries of valuable materials but too often it requires the threat of damage suits to initiate change. The article discusses the various types of contaminants and the methods of determin ing and controlling them. 51. Influenco of Repeated Physical Effort on the Function of the Suprarenal Capsule in Man. G. Bonetnto. Travail human, /, 153-162 '{i39). Examination of the suprarenal glands of young rats that had run for a month in a turning drum were found to be largor and heavier than nomal. Injection of his tamine showed a stronger function in trained students. In the author's opinion the bettor function has an important effect on the development of the constitu tion and favors the production of the pyknic type. 52. Chronic Systemic Diseases. H.Y<f. G.arton. Industrial Medicine, 8_, 459-464 {November 1939). ' The author urges concerted effort in the detection and treatment of the chronic systemic diseases as an integral part of an industrial hygiene program. Increase in health and efficiency of workers; decrease in absenteeism and mortality; im provement in health of the community; and reduction in costs of compensation are all dividends which should bo the reward of an intensive program of preventive medicine in industry. 53. Diffuse Sclerodenaa and Raynauds Phenomenon from the U3e of a Pneumatic Hammer. D. Leys. Brit. Med. J., p. 692. (October 23, 1939). This man, a mason, worked with a compressed-air hammer for a period of six years. He first noticed numbness of the fingers during cold weather when using the ham mer. A fall, some nine years after stopping use of the hammer, brought him to nodical attention. His face was immobile and expressionless with a small mouth, ' the aperture of which was about 1-1/2 inches. The skin of the face was tense, thin and inelastic. Both hands showed Raynaud*s phenomenon. Though scleroderma and Raynaud's disease are commonly associated, there is a question hero whether the cold or vibration of the hammer which brought about the condition of the hands, also set up the scleroderma, 54. Cases of Human Infection with Brucella Abortus Bang Reported During 1938. Reichsgesundheitbl., 14, 764-765 (1959). (Geraanh There are between 500-600 cases of this disease reported each year. In 1938 there were 600 cases; in 280 the cause remained unknown; 145 were traced to contact with sick cattle, 1C-. to ingestion of raw milk, and 45 to these causes together. Most of the cases are found in the farming and dairy industry as might be expected. HttBB-0009944 HHBB-00099*o Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 12. 55. Tissue Reactions to sone Carbon Arc Pu3ts. E.L. MacQuiddy, J.P. Tollman, L.W. LaTows^y and S. Schonberger. J.Ind.Hyg. & Toxicol., 21_, 49B-513 (December 1939) Animal experiments showed that peritoneal injections of dust in white rats gave more marked reactions than those given by the skin or lung of the rabbit. Some of tho high intensity carbon arc ashes give mildly proliferative reactions and the authors suggest that it might be deduced that if they were inhaled over a long enough period of time, a proliferative type of pneumoconiosis might be pro duced. However, no conditions whore sufficiently high concentrations to produce such a lesion are known to exist. Nevertheless, proper ventilating precautions must be taken as recommended by Drinker and Snell. 56. The Reduction of Noise in Buildings. Building Research Spec. Report No. 26, H.M. Stationer:,'Office, London, 1939. (British). As the result of intensive research on the problem of noise in buildings, certain broad principles have emerged. The technique of insulation against "contact" or "impact" noise is different from that required for "air-borne" noise. The relation between weight and reduction of air-borne noise in simple structures has been found to vary as the logarithm of the weight of the floor or partition. A useful start has been made on the evaluation of the importance of "flanking" sound transmission. Numerous tables are given on the sound insulation values of various materials. 57. Physical Efficiency and Service Flying. A.F. Rook. J.Roy.Naval Med. Service, 25, 203-217_(July 1939)* (British). This contains a discussion of tho relationship of physical efficiency to the pro blems arising in the selection and care of Service pilots from a medical stand point. Nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular stresses are considered. Signs of hypernervousnoss at facing medical examiners do not, the author feels, pre clude the candidate from flying. Respiratory difficulties have largely been eli minated by the use of air-tight suits or cabins. Above 15,000 feet the diastolic pressure fills to an extent which may embarrass the cranial circulation. In high speed flying, the centrifugal effects may cause serious symptoms. Al though freedom from organic disease is essential, in the author*s opinion, temper ament is more important. 58. Tho Distribution of Electric Current in the Animal Body: An Experimental Inves tigation of 60 Cycle Alternating Current. A.W. Weeks and L. Alexander. J.Ind. Hyg. &. Toxicol., 21, 517-525 (December 1939). A knovdedgo of current distribution is of importance in evaluating the effects of shock because it has an important bearing on the type and severity of damage. The paths can be fairly accurately determined if the points of contact are known. Electric current passes through the body in the shortest path frem contact to contact without deflection by anatomical structures. 59. Influence of Work on Osmotic Resistanco of Erythrocytes. A.L. Relwicz. Pflugers Arch, f.d.ges. Physiol., 242. 35-48 (1939). (Goiman). Influence of Bodily Work on the Calcium and Potassium Content of the Erythrocyte. *.L. Relvdcz. ibid, 49-53 (1939). (German). -r Heavy work will increase the resistance of erythrocytes, although the change is only slight in well trained animals. Work done repeatedly and for a long time will, as a rule, diminish the resistance. Augmented resistance, it is thought is duo to the increase in potassium content. 50* The Physiology- cf Water E.R. Reay. New Zealand Med. J., 38, 79-90 (1939 The Physiology of Water Exchange. N.L. Edison, ibid, pp. 266-270 (1939). Reviews of the present knowledge of water interchange between man- and environ ment, and of the functions of water and salts in metabolic processes. Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 13. 61. A Study of the Hazard from Tubercle Bacilli in Environmental Air. R.P. Sim and*a- F.B. Flinn. Am.J.Hyg., 30, 135-140 (November 1939). Tubercle bacilli, because of their size, tend to fall out of the atmosphere rapidly. As expelled from the mouth, they are coated -with albuminous material which tend to stick wherever it strikes and is thus not stirred up into the atmos phere again. ee Papers on Industrial Poisons. Cancer, Dermatitis, etc. X 62. Acute Poisoning in Animals after Intraperitoneal and Intratracheal Administration of Dusts. J.P. Tollman, E.L. MacQ,uiddy and L.W. LaTowsky. J.Ind.Hyg. & Toxicol., a-i L-- J 21, 514-516 {December 1939). In the experiments reported in Item 55, certain of the injections caused the acute death of the animals. Upon investigation, this was found to be due to a soluble cupric ion. The authors warn against the possibility of errors arising out of the presence of toxic foreign substances in mixtures used for tissue re action experiments. . 63. Osseus Changes in Experimental Chronic Fluorine Poisoning. F.I. Lang. Klin. Wchnschr., 18, 1035 (1939). (Goman)". S> The conclusion is made that fluorine produces disturbances in the mineral metab U* olism, especially in calcification of the basic substances, changes in the bones and cartilages, which resemble the osteosclerosis seen after healed rickets. This is based on the results of experiments published by Kellner {Arch. f. exp* Pathol., 192, 546, 1939). 64. Severe Acute Anemia with Slight Kidney Disturbance after Absorption of Metallic Tin and Lead. A. Laporte, A. Meyer and I. Bouser. Bull, et mem. Soc. hopit. de Paris 55, 955-961 (1939). (French). A man treating himself for furunculosis took twice daily a sizeable amount of ground tin which contained a "remarkable" amount of lead. He became very weak, unconscious and vomited. Blood examination showed 40# hemoglobin and two million erythrocytes. In a month he recovered, but one year later dovolopod edema and albuminuria. 65. Poisoning from Thallium Dust. W. Schwarte. Munch. Med.Wchnschr., 86, 1299-1300 (1939). (German). A typical case of thallium poisoning evidently caused by a woman inhaling a con siderable amount of thallium dust while cleaning a drawer in which Zeilocoms (grain impregnated with thalliim acetate) had been placed. 66. The Occurrence of Atmospheric Lead Resulting from use of Colored Blackboard Crayons. H.W. Ruf and W.Z.Fluck. Am.J.Pub. Health, 29, 1149-1153 (October 1939) Lead was found present in only various shades of yellow, orange and green in the 27 samples analyzed. The maximum quantity of lead found was equivalent to 12# by weight. 67. Chloropicrin as a Provraraing Gas in Ship Fumigation. G.C. Sherrard. U.S. Public Health Reports, 54, 2297 (December 29, 1939). The use of lethal gases in the fumigation of ships presents hazards to hiaan life which necessitates the utmost care and the use of any and all chemical or mechan ical devices in prevention of fatal accidents. This is an account of studies undertaken for the purpose of developing a practical method of applying a prewarn ing gas preceding the introduction of the lethal gas. Of the various gases stud ied, chloropicrin seemed to offer the greatest possibilities for the reason that an irritant effect could be produced which was unbearable in a concentration far below the lethal dosage. Digest of Industrie! Hygiene - 14. 68. Studies in Lead Mobilization. S.L. Toapsett and J.N.M. Chalmers. Brit. J. Exp.-S1 Path., 20, 408-417 (October 1939). A further investigation by these authors on cases of clinical plumbism and increased lead absorption, especially on the influence of diet and medication ones the blood level of lead. The experiments showed the extreme mobility of lead: high calcium diets produced a fall in blood lead, while low calcium diets with cflP without ammonium chloride produced a rise in blood load. Increase in blood lead*: docs not necessarily mean parallel increase in lead excretion: this raises the question of the wisdom of de-leading, as the process may result in largely in creased lead in the soft tissues end circulation without compensatory increase in excretion. Single estimations of blood lead may produce erroneous results in diagnosis due to the influence of diet. In suspicious cases, if the blood lead is normal the estimation should bo repeated after a course of low calcium therapy, preferably with ammonium chloride. If possible, lead excretion should be examin /S. ed at the same time. 69. Acute Tunnel Gas Bronchitis. M.G. Henry. Industrial Medicine, 8^, 477-480 (Novem ber 1939). A case report of acute tunnel gas congestion with comparative x-ray photographs. The construction of tunnels through volcanic*deposits is complicated by the pre sence of irritating gases which in combination with the gase3 produced by explo sions are sufficient to produce severe and acute gas poisoning. 70. What We Don*t Enow About Carbon Monoxide. M.R. Mayors. National Safety News, 40, 38 (November 1939) A discussion of the problems in carbon monoxide poisoning which still remain tc be solved. The subject is handled from the viewpoint of the toxicologist discuss ing exposures tc low concentrations, carbon monoxide headache, mixed gases such as illuminating gas and automobile exhaust. Of interost in the proper diagnosis of instances of poisoning and in just settlement of compensation cases. 71. Safe Practice in Viscose Rayon Industry. W.H. Chestnut. Rayon Textile Monthly, 20, 632 (November 1939). The toxic gases involved in this industry are carbon disulfide and hydrogen sul fide as the result of a reaction in the spinning bath. At the plants described in the article, measures have been taken for protection by ventilation. Designs for two types of automatic recording equipment for these gases are shown. 72. After-Effects of Exposure of Men to Carbon Dioxide. W. Alexander, P. Duff, J.B.S. Haldane, G. Ives and D. Renton. Lancet, 2, 419-420 (August 19, 1939). (British). This work arose out of the disaster of the submarine "Thetis," when it became de sirable to determine the effect on men of breathing oxygen in an escape apparatus after prolonged exposure to air containing high carbon dioxide and low oxygon concentrations. The tests were made in a steel chamber which was brought to 1.1 atmospheres, with carbon dioxide between 6-7# rod correspondingly low oxygen. Of the six persons who breathed such air for an hour, there was headache when air or oxygen was breathed later and half of the subjects vomited, which latter reaction suggested the reason for the lose of some of the victims of the disaster. It is concluded that air or oxygen should be breathed for 30 minutes bofore attempting to use the escape apparatus. 73. Fighting Fires Involving Toxic and Irritant Gases. VJ.VJ. Stephen. Fire Eng., 92, 98-100 (1939). ^ A discussion of the following hazards and incidents related where they were en countered in fires: ammonia, benzene, bromine, carbon monoxide, carbon tetra chloride, chlorino, hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide, sulfur dioxide and smoke. A review of the use of proper gas masks in fighting chemical fires is also given. Digest of'Industrial Hygiene - 15. 74. Poisonings with Hydrogen Sulfide in Cleaning of Sulfuric Acid Tanks. T. Bauer.oo Arbeitsschutz, 241-244 (1939). (GermanH Two cases, one fatal, of hydrogen sulfide poisoning in men who cleaned sulfuricg acid tanks. An investigation, made 16 hours later, gave negative results, but la additional study showed that hydrogen sulfide developed when the sludge was scraped off. It was caused by the presence of iron sulfide and sulfuric acid, so The latter should have been neutralized with lye before cleaning. This shows tjj^ importance not only of testing enclosed spaces for toxic gases, but also of con* sidering what reactions may be brought about by the processes for which they are entered. 75. Carbon Monoxide: A Public Health Hazard. L.B. Franklin. Minn. Med., 22, 623-632 (September 1939). Occurrence of carton monoxide is so frequent and widespread that it may be con sidered as a public health hazard. It is generated in burning building, in many industrial processes, in mine explosions and, perhaps most commonly, by automo bile engines, the exhaust gases of which may contain about 7$. If 0.03$ be considered as the dangerous concentration, surveys have shown that 5$ of the cars tested have toxic amounts at the driver's breathing lovol. Wider education of the public regarding this common hazard and legislation covoringits control aro needed. 76. Systemic Effects from Exposure to certain Chlorinated Hydrocarbons. L. Greonburg, M.B. Mayers and A.R. Smith. N.Y. State Dept, of Labor, Industrial Bulletin, 18, 343-346,367 (October, November 1939). A report with case histories on systemic poisoning by the chlorinated naphthalonos and diphenyls. These compounds evaporate in industrial practice and condense on the clothing, tools and skin of workers, producing a rather characteristic acneform skin eruption. However, systcmically it causes acute yellow atrophy of the liver and there are reports of three fatal cases in the literature. This article discusses in detail three deaths in persons exposed to these known hepatoxic sub stances and in whoso cases no other etiological factors could be discovered. The authors warn that persons suffering from the acneform eruptions should be removed at once from the exposure; that persons with any past liver disease, no matter how mild, should not work with these substances; persons being treated with arsphenamine or taking drugs believed to be injurious to the liver or who are pregnant should not bo axposod. Workers who have been exposed, if requiring a general anesthetic for an operation, should not be given chloroform or overtin, and vice versa, individuals who have received these anesthetics should not immed iately thereafter go back to their former work, or work with any other substances believed to be toxic to the liver. 77. A Study of the Fate in the Organism of some Chlorinated Hydrocarbons. H.M. Barrett, J.G. Cunningham and J.H. Johnson. J.Ind.Hyg.&Toxicol., 21, 479-490 (December 1939). A study was made of the quantitative sensitivity of the Fujiwara reaction, given by dilute solutions of many halogonated hydrocarbons or their derivatives. Methods were devised for studying the fate in the organism of soma of these compounds. Five to 8$ of the trichloretbylene absorbed by dogs was excreted in tho urine, probably as a salt of trichloracetic acid. A substance giving a positive Fujiwara tost appeared in the urine after exposure to tetrachlorethylono. Carbon tetraciiloride, 1, 1, 2 trichlorethane and chloroform are evidently not converted to trichloracetic acid. It appears that the liver damage following administra tion of S-tetrachlorothnne is not due to hydrochloric acid as believed by some workers. The authors feel that further investigation is necessary before conclu sions regarding the metabolism of these compounds can be drawn. Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 16. HW8^0009949 78. Benzol Poisoning. Safety Engineering, 78, 40 (September 1939). A brief summary on benzol poisoning; the occupations most likely to be exposed; how it occurs; signs and symptoms and eight points on prevention. 79. Hemopathies Caused by Benzene. F. Mignolet. Sang, 13, 268-281 (1939). (French Workers in a heliographic shop wore exposed to a solvent containing 80$ benzene and 20$ toluene. At first there were nervous symptoms, acceleration of the pulse, insomnia, headache, petechias, bleeding of nose and gums. Of 26 cases, 14 were severe and 1 fatal. The latter case showed a red cell count of 600,000 and 1100 leucocytes. Seven showed occhymoses, 5 bleeding of the gums and one hemoptysis. Other losions were: ulcers of the cheeks from which noma and agran ulocytosis developed, enlargement of the livor, etc. In some cases the red count fell more than the white count. Mostly there were hyperchromic anamias and there was no parallel between the latter and the intensity of leucoponia, which was a neutrophilic granulopenia. It is the author's opinion that thrombopenia and not decrease in number of leucocytos is the first sign. Bleeding time was found to be not as reliable a guide as coagulation time. The best therapy is transfusion. 80. Fatal Intoxication Following the Use of Carbon Tetrachloride as a Fire Extinguish ed G. Castrovilii. Mod, dellavoro, 30. 193-206 (July 1939). (Italian). This is the report of a fatal case of a workman 49 years old who had boen exposed to vapors of carbon tetrachloride and of burnii^ oil, benzine and gasoline, in an effort to extinguish a fire in a closed room. The clinical history is very scanty. He suffered, soon after his exposure, from symptoms of mild narcotic poi soning, but accompanied by anuria. There was evidently no autopsy. The article is chiefly devoted to a review of the literature in carbon tetrachloride poisoning and to a discussion of the possibility that other vapors nay have been involved, phosgene by heat decomposition of carbon tetrachloride, or metallo-organic com pounds, formed by the union of carbon tetrachloride and metallic ftmes. The author concludes, however, that carbon tetrachloride alone is capable of produc ing such a clinical picture. 81. II. The Effect of Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning on Experimental Animals. P.Y. Mytnik. J. Physiol., 26, 120-127 (1939). (U.S.S.R.) ' ' "'""" The results of prolonged poisoning of rabbits by daily intramuscular or subcutan eous injections of 0.3 cc. of carbon tetrachlorido are suppuration and necrosis at the site of injection, anemia, loucocytosis, cirrhotic and fatty degeneration of the liver, pleuropneumonia and death in 46-50 days* Increase of the daily dose to 0.4 cc. reduces the time of survival by one-half, but the blood is not significantly affected and no pneumonia occurs. 82. Bleaching Wood with Hydrogen Peroxide. National Fire Protection Association Com mittee on Manufacturing Hazards. The Travelers Standard, 27, 237-240 (December 1939). While this article is principally concerned with the fire hazards of hydrogen peroxide, it does mention the skin irritating possibilities. Exposure to its vapors will also irritate the eyes and lungs. The eyes should be safeguarded by safety goggles and long rubber gloves used to protect the hands and aims. Any direct contact should be immediately followed by prompt washing with water. 83. Dermatitis from Rock Wool. J.Am.Med.Assoc. (Queries and minor notes), 113, 1756 (November 4, 1939), Cases reported by the U.S. Public Health Service showed that patch tests confirm ed rock wool as a cause of dermatitis. R. Prosser White considered the quick lime (10$), the calcium sulfide (5$) and the spicules to bo the irritant proper ties. HM88-0009950 Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 17. 84. Safe Skin Cleansers. J.V. Clander and E.R. Gross, National Safety News, 41, 22 (January 1940). One phase of the prevention of dermatitis is an engineering problem. It has to d with eliminating skin contacts, general plant sanitation, etc. The other phase is the use of protective creams, neutralizing solutions and the various methods of cleansing the skin. The lotter aspect is the subject of this article. A survey was made by the authors to determine methods and products used, frequency of washing, etc., in industry. It was found, as a general rule, that the quick er its cleansing action the more harmful the cleansing agent. A common practice among workmen is to use the solvent or chemical used in their work where better methods were not supplied. Various foxmulae for safe solutions and emollients are given. The best agent for cleansing the skin, in the authors* opinion is a toilet cake soap. 85. Industrial Dermatitis. J.Am.Kod.Assoc. (Queries and minor notes) 113, 1661 ^October 28, 1939). Contact was made in this case with Pep-Tex, Diversol, a boiler compound, copper polish and chlorine, all of which may be damaging to the skin. Treatment should be limited to mild lotions, and long rubber gloves worn during work. 86. The Pole of the Nervous Factor in Chronic Intoxication by Industrial Poisons. P.Y. llytnik. j] Physiol., 26, 120-127"Tl939). (U.S.S.R.). Visceral hemorrhage, trophic ulcers and leucocytosis are the results of experi mental injury to the nervous system. Poisoning by subcutaneous injections of benzene results in leucoponia and visceral hemorrhages. If injected subsequent to nervous trauma, benzene causes only a slight reduction in the nvanber of leu cocytes, followed by leucocytosis. 87. Occupational Keratitides and Corneal Dystrophies. M. Davidson. Arch, of Ophth., 673-683 (1939). ( Abstract from An". J. Ophth.). Occupational superficial punctate keratitis and dystrophy are often diagnosed as subacute or chronic conjunctivitis and as band-shaped keratitis, and the true nature of the conditions is overlooked without the use of tho slit-lamp. Three types of this fom of keratitis may be recognized. The first is an acute or sub acute occupational superficial punctate keratitis, apparently due to particulate matter in spraying processes, which clings to the corneal epithelium, rather than to gases. The second is a chronic occupational superficial punctate keratitis vorging on a dystrophy and apparently due to hard and sharp spicules penetrating the cornea, such as silica or metals. This type is more important because of the hype3thesia, but is not cosmon and is seen only among the older workers, being principally due to exposures in the presafety era. The third type is an occupa tional band-shaped keratitis soon in the form of a post-traumatic lime band. Modicologally, an interval of from 1 to 5 days is to be considered a requisite for a causal relation between a corneal injury and a herpetic corneal disease. The problem of prevention of occupational keratitides and dystrophies is essen tially one of safety engineering. oco =--= \ HMBB-0009931