Document L3RxDaJqdbx6L3L27nQR5EKb

FILE NAME: Owens Illinois Library (OWL) DATE: 1956 DOC#: OWL047 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Journal Abstract - Industrial Aspects of Bronchiogenic Neuroplasms & Article - Advances in Industrial toxicology for the Year 1955 INDUSTRIAL ABSTRACTS FROM CURRENT LITERATURE nedical supervision, provided that serious efforts are made to reduce mine air dustiness. S herman S. P into, Denver. ndustrial Aspects of Bronchiogenic Neoplasms. L. Breslow, Dis. Chest 28:421-430 (Oct.) 1955. Lung cancer now causes more than 18,000 deaths annually in the United States. Although ach evidence incriminates cigarette smoking as a major factor in the disease, it is not the !e cause. Some persons with lung cancer deny ever having smoked cigarettes. The author feels that in the justified concern about cigarette smoking as a cause of lung >cer too little note has been taken of evidence that several occupations may likewise play a .isal role. After citing literature reports on the connection between certain occupations and pulmonary :cers, the author says that interviews with 518 lung cancer patients in California hospitals ; a like number of noncancer "control" patients confirmed the greater frequency of cigarette king among lung cancer patients. The interviews also covered life-long occupational history, ilvsis of these data disclosed that the following occupational groups appeared with subitiallv greater frequency among the lung cancer patients. The interviews also covered life- occupational history- Analysis of these data disclosed that the following occupational :ips appeared with substantially greater frequency among the lung cancer case histories, ompared with the controls: welders and sheet-metal workers doing welding; electric bridge:e operators in the metal industry; construction and maintenance painters; commercial cooks; kers in the extraction of lead, zinc, and copper ore; steam fitters, boiler makers, asbestos kers; marine engineers; firemen, oilers, and wipers. Further work is under way to confirm cfute the hypothesis that these occupations carry an excessive risk for lung cancer. < line on P ulmonary V entilation in Cases of S ilicosis. N. Zollner, Gertrud Braun, and O. Karl, Klin. Wchnschr. 33:722-724 (Aug. 1) 1955. i`lie subjects of this examination were eight workers, aged between 55 and 67 years, who Ik... acquired silicosis through the inhalation of porcelain dust. All had been invalided for m- ::tlts or years, and in none of them was there any sign of tuberculous infection. Their |iia.:ionary efficiency was determined by means of the Pulmotest-Spirometer before, during, ai:ii after the inhalation of achromycin [tetracycline] in aerosol form. This inhalation took on five successive days. In six of these eight workers there was a definite increase in pulmonary efficiency, and in four of these the increase was statistically significant. M. E. D elafield [B ull. H yg.]I I si sual Case of Grease Gun I njury. J. H. N oble and C. J. T huss, Plast. & Reconstruct. Surg. 16:297-302 (Oct.) 1955. In the past 17 years reports have appeared in the literature on the effects of pene tration of human tissues by lubricating grease and diesel fuel oils under high pressures ranging from 1000 to 7000 lb. per square inch. It has been found that grease or fuel oil can penetrate the skin for distances up to 8 in. or more, that a grossly evident break in the skin is not necessarily produced, and that a surprising quantity of grease can be injected in a brief instant (a total of 64 cc. being removed from the finger, hand, wrist, ami forearm in one reported case). In contrast to the purer long-chain hydrocarbons, lubricating grease and diesel fuel oil produce immediate chemical irritation in the tissues, with marked swelling, local heat, and redness and, following the initial numbness, rather -were pain in cases involving the hand or fingers. Opinions are not unanimous on the immediate treatm ent of these injuries. The patient, whose history is presented here, had been hit in the left eye region by lubrication grease from a high-pressure grease gun. The exact composition of the grease was not known. The patient related: "At first I didn't know w hat happened. The impact was so great that it knocked me backwards about 4 ft. into a pile of 5 gal. oil cans. Then it hurt a little. There was a little cut in the skin and it bled a little. I t didn't hurt very midi." The immediate result of the injury was a slight laceration and marked swelling f the lids of the left eye. The patient then entered the Korean W a r evacuation chain. Various treatments were given during the course of the subsequent weeks, and about 19 weeks had elapsed before the patient was adm itted to the Eye Section of the Surgical Service of an Army Hospital. T he lesion w as excised three months after .-i. i f . A. A R C H IV E S OF IXDUSTRJAL HEALTH rics and gynecology at the same institution. In 1942 and 1943 he was industrial hy giene physician with the U. S. Public Health Sendee assigned to the Division of Indus trial Hygiene, Michigan State Department of Health, Lansing, and later was Director of the Division of Industrial Hygiene. O re gon State Board of Health. Dr. Mancuso received a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Pitts burgh in 1953. Between July of 1948 and July of 1952. Dr. Mancuso was awarded four cancer con trol grants for epidemiologic studies of environmental cancer. Dr. Thomas F. Mancuso ADVANCES IN INDUSTRIAL TOXICOLOGY FOR THE YEAR 1955 In the brief space allotted to review re cent developments in the field of industrial toxicology, those subjects have been selected that appear to be of interest, either because of the unique character of their response or their indications of importance to indus trial health. In the vast field from which to choose it is obvious that other selections might equally well have been made. New Hazardous Compounds Acrylamide (CH 2-CH-CONH2), a chem ical intermediate of great potential useful ness for the formation of polymers and copolymers, plasticizers, dispersants and for other purposes, has the unusual property of being insidiously neurotoxic at relatively low levels of intake, while at the same time From a talk given before a joint A. C. G. T. H .-- A. T . H. A. session in Philadelphia, April, 1956. showing unremarkable toxicity from ; doses (oral LDg0, 170 m g/kg.).1 Acryh is toxicologically remarkable in other v 1. It shows practically no species v tion; effective doses for the cat, dog. rat were essentially the same, 2. Its physiologic effects are proc equally readily by any route, oral, ski; eye. 3. A definite quantity of acrylamide produce the characteristic central ner system syndrome of disturbed gait, pos; tremors, visual and auditory hallucinate, and muscular atrophy irrespective of dosage schedule used. 4. There is an anamnestic response that following cure smaller amounts acrylamide recall the syndrome. Fortuna the effects are reversible, although in sev cases recovery may require years (in mn;. CCUPATIOKAL HEALTH 0 threshold limit definin fe exposure has yet been Acrylamide represents monstration of our curr predict the grave physiolog 'rom chemical structure; th< ide, propionamide (CH 3C :d as an animal feed sup gain, is another striking c; m of a second double bond form a conjugated syste. ce of remarkable toxicity, own example is the icity of crotonaldehyde cc. iturated analogue butyra) .eta pharmacol. et toxicol. ss well known, but equal 1; ighly lacrimatory power of iturated nitrocompounds s obutylene compared with t not conjugated isomer, 1 e which has no mark wers. The potent irritatii e diisocyanates discussed i imples of the effects of iturated compounds. Exa; ultiplied almost endlessly. As a new group of monon sed in foam rubber, lacquer rposes, the aromatic diis< fcially 2,4-diisocyanotoluenc isocyanonaphthalene, and nzene, present interesti roperties. Although extr< lymeric forms, and posses iral toxicity, 1-8 gm/kg.,2 socyanates, particularly tl lerivative, are exceedingly I ipper respiratory tract, prod ihanges in animals at 0.09 It 1 ppm upon repeated i lures. Man also responds ow concentrations with evid. sensitivity such as asthma a >elow 1 ppm. Peculiarly si Is may show responses 1 hich is below the odor threiisoevanate for many indiv A level of 0.5 ppm of >? J ES OF INDUSTRIAL HEALTH ology at the same institution. 1943 he was industrial hy- ~-l with the U. S. Public Health d to the Division of IndusMichigan State Department ising, and later was Director i of Industrial Hygiene, Ored of Health. received a Master of Public i rom the University of Pitts- ii" of 1948 and July of 1952,J j as awarded four cancer con- v epidemiologic studies of Cancer. ' IAL YEAR emarkable toxicity from acut2 Dso, 170 mg/kg.).1 Acrylamide^ ally remarkable in other ways!? s practically no species varia3 e doses for the cat, dog, antj mtially the same, siologic effects are produce y by any route, oral, skin, le quantity of acrylamide-wll characteristic central nervoui ime of disturbed gait, postu il and auditory hallucination atrophy irrespective of th< le used. an anamnestic response, is g cure smaller amounts o f rail the syndrome. Fortunate!; reversible, although in severe may require years (in man); ( 'CUPATIONAL HEALTH NEWS > threshold limit defining the level for i re exposure has yet been set. Acrylamide represents an interesting t; nonstration of our current inability to \ -diet the grave physiologic consequences t tn chemical structure; the closely related ? ide. propionamide (CH 3CH 2CO N H 2), is 1; d as an animal feed supplement. Here, a in, is another striking case of the addit i of a second double bond in the molecule t>- :orm a conjugated system with confere ? of remarkable toxicity. Another wellk wn example is the 44-fold greater t- city of crotonaldehyde compared with its .rated analogue butyraldehyde (Skog, A \ pharmacol. et toxicol. 6:299, 1950). L >well known, but equally striking is the h! :lv lacrimatory power of conjugated uns. rated nitrocompounds such as 1-nitrois utvlene compared with the unsaturated bi not conjugated isomer, l-nitroisobutyl-2er. which has no marked lacrimatory pi ers. The potent irritating capacities of th diisocyanates discussed below are other ex nples of the effects of conjugated un fa;.;rated compounds. Examples could be multiplied almost endlessly. . a new group of monomeric substances used in foam rubber, lacquers, and for other purposes, the aromatic diisocyanates, espe cially 2,4-diisocyanotoluene (T D I), 1,5diisocvanonaphthalene, and 1,4-diisocyanobeiuene, present interesting toxicologic properties. Although extremely inert in polymeric forms, and possessing a very low oral toxicity, 1-8 gm/kg.,2 these aromatic isocyanates, particularly the naphthalene derivative, are exceedingly irritating to the upper respiratory tract, producing histologic changes in animals at 0.09 ppm and death at 1 ppm upon repeated inhalation expo sures. Man also responds at exceedingly low concentrations with evidences of allergic 'ensitivity such as asthma at air levels well Mow 1 ppm. Peculiarly sensitive individ uals may show responses below 0.1 ppm, which is below the odor threshold of toluene liisocvanate for many individuals. A level of 0.5 ppm of TD I produces throat irritation. The tentative threshold limit has been set for T D I at 0.1 ppm. In our present state of knowledge it is believed that the upper respiratory tract is first in volved following inhalation of low concen tration of the isocyanates, pulmonary edema occurring only at far higher TDI concentra tions. All evidence to date indicates no other type of systemic involvement from the isocyanates if the respiratory tract itself is free of involvement. Moisture greatly reduces the toxicity of 1,4-diisocyanobenzene presumably by hydrolysis and destruc tion of the unsaturated conjugated system. Three boron hydrides, diborane, pentaborane, and decaborane, have received con siderable- toxicologic and pharmacologic study.* Used as high-energy fuels these boranes are highly hazardous by all practical routes of entry into the body. Diborane (BH), a gas at room tempera ture (b.p. 92.5 C ), differs from the others in toxicologic action in possessing no neuro toxic properties presumably because of its ease of hydrolysis; it is, however, acutely, subacutely, and chronically injurious to the lungs, producing congestion, edema, and hemorrhage in higher doses and in the kidneys it leads to the production of tubular casts. The threshold limit of exposure has been tentatively set at 0.1 ppm; this is con siderably below its odor threshold of from 2 to 4 ppm. Pentaborane (B 5H#) is the most hazardpus of the three boranes. This liquid (b.p. 58 C), whose vapor in a 2-hour exposure at 14 ppm results in immediate death of mice at lower concentrations, produces symptoms of weakness and tremors indicative of central nervous system involvement but without the lung involvement seen with diborane. Cu mulative effects are seen with low repeated doses. Skin absorption is a possible con tribution to the over-all toxicity. On the basis of hazard from the vapor and its severely toxic effects, a tentative threshold limit has been set for this compound of 0.01 ppm. No medical preventive or effec- * References 3-6. 207 tive therapeutic agent for this compound has yet been developed; complete protection is afforded by airline gas-masks or a mask cartridge layered with soda lime, silica gel, and activated carbon.7 Dccaboranc (HioH m) presents a toxicity picture similar to, but slightly less than that of pentaborane but as it is a solid, it presents less of a hazard than pentaborane; accordingly its tentative threshold limit has been set at 0.05 ppm. The cardiovascular actions of decaborane in animals have been reported.8 It is recognized that the boranes are but additional examples of nonmetal hydrides such as phosphine, arsine, stibine. hydrogen sulfide, etc., which are characterized by their exquisite toxicity. Although ozone is by no means a new compound, two factors have been shown to have remarkable effects on modifying its toxicity, exercise and pre-exposure. E xer cise during exposure to ozone has been shown by the research work at Occupational Health Field Headquarters, U.S.P.H.S., to enhance markedly the toxic effects of ozone; -simultaneous, intermittent exercise during a 6-hour exposure to otherwise noninjurious concentrations of ozone (around 1 ppm by vol.) proved lethal to rats and mice. On the other hand, pre-exposure to the same non-injurious levels of ozone, without exercise, resulted in a rapid devel opment of tolerance to multilethal doses of ozone that persisted for at least 4 weeks. The tolerance which developed within 24 hours protected the lungs from the pul monary edema and hemorrhage common to lethal exposure but did not abolish the characteristic spasmodic breathing or the narcosis. N ew Industrial Cancerigens There is a tendency to belittle the carcino genic potentiality of many substances on the basis that carcinogenicity in animals is no proof for carcinogenicity in man. It would seem a more reasonable view to regard all such com|M)iinds at least ]x>tentially carcino- Suflicient work on beryllium now seems to have been done in one laboratory (Sara nac), at least, by Vorwald, Schepers, and Scheel0 to establish beryllium as a carci nogen in the rat. Inhalation of beryllium sulfate for several months (six) produced eventually what was interpreted as an adenocarcinoma of the lung. The cancer has been successfully transplanted subcutane ously in rats, whence it metastasized to the lung and the lymph nodes of the medi astinum. Inhalation of beryllium phosphor (13% Be) produced in 3 to 6 months lesions in the lungs which appeared to be squamous-cell carcinoma. The beryllium cancer has not been produced by other workers although it is not rat-strain de pendent in the hands of the Saranac work ers. Alkaline phosphatase inhibition appears to be the first step in the physiologic process leading to tissue changes. It is believed that the B e (O H ) + , a form through which all beryllium compounds pass in the fluids of the body, initiates the reaction. The lack of success of other workers elsewhere to re produce beryllium cancer is still disturbing, however. D oll10 has found that the incidence of lung cancer among 105 English asbestos workers employed more than 20 years was tenfold that in the normal population. C artier11 studying over a 9-year period 4000 asbestos miners in Canada, invoK'ing 128 cases of asbestosis, 40 of them with autopsies, found 6 of these had broncho genic carcinoma. Seven cases of lung cancer were found among asbestos miners with no asbestosis. With such relatively small numbers of cases one must be extremely cautious in drawing the conclusion of a causal relation ship between exposure and the disease. Snegireff and Lombard 11 several years ago {minted out in a study of lung cancer in arsenic plants involving similarly snialt numbers of cases that cancer deaths in any decade could have by chance been either far less than in the |x>pulatinn as a whole ' ' r ......i ,i. r seems J (Sara- j rS, and a card* L-rVlliuin roduccd as an neer has biutancd' to the ie mediihosphor months ed to be ieryllium by other train deiac worka appears !c:process ; ieVed that which all fluids of lack of re to reliiturbing, :idcnce of i 1asbestos years was copulation, lar period involving them with 1' bronchoung cancer ris with no xiinbers of cautious in Ktl rclationhle disease. tl1years ago l cancer in lbrly smalt aths in any ' been either j, . as a whole 1? .... i <i,. plant. The question to resolve then in the asbestos exposures is whether a tenfold greater incidence of lung cancer is large enough to be significant when dealing with small samples of this sort. Before a final decision is reached it would seem well to wait until a more impressive number of cases have been documented. Moreover it seems to this author that the question of the nature of the asbestos in different locali ties and the associated minerals such as chromium and nickel, both recognized cancerigens, seem to have been too little con sidered. Asbestos is a fibrous form of several different species of minerals, a point commonly disregarded. Hydrocarbon Products of Incom plete Combustion Carcinogenic hydrocarbons have now been shown to be present among the ex haust products of diesel and gasoline en gines,13 and in the air of E nglish14 and American cities.f These products have been shown furthermore to produce skin tumors in mice. Although these findings were made in connection with community air pollution studies, dieset and gasoline engines are used in many industrial opera tions. Efficient and innocuous operation of a diesel engine from an atmospheric pollu tion view has been pointed out as possible, moreover, without costly engine redesign.13 The fact that human lung cancer has not yet been proved to arise from the inhalation of these hydrocarbon products should not act as a deterrent to an active program to reduce the air contamination of working areas from this source. Recent figures on lung and bronchial cancer from smokers and nonsmokers in urban (Liverpool) and rural areas 15 show definitely an urban " factor." The benzpyrene content of the air of urban areas was 8 to 11 times greater than in the rural areas, a ratio which corresponds with the estimated mortality ratio among nonsmokers in those areas. Although the causal t Chamlicrs. L .: Personal communication to the relation seems tenable, it should not be considered proved, as a considerable part of the evidence rests on the statements of the widows of the deceased as to their smoking habits. Bladder and Skin Cancer 4-Amino diphenyl has now been rcjx'atedly found to produce carcinoma of the urinary bladder of dogs fed this substance.^ the last of these confirming reports being that of Deichmann in 1956. The cancer was predominantly squamous in type and was produced from total doses ranging from 30 gm. (English workers) to 113 gm., 3 to' 10 gm/kg. (American workers). The British investigators consider 4-amino diphenyl as a more effective bladder car cinogen than either benzidine or 2-acetyl aminofluorene, and at least as potent as beta naphthylamine. " A resurvey of the British chemical dye industry13 produced statistical evidence that bladder tumors are associated with the man ufacture of the dyes auramine or magenta (aminodiphenyl and aminotriphenylmethane dyes) but do not necessarily arise from contact with the finished dyes themselves. Aniline, however, has been definitely ex cluded as a causative agent in bladder tumors, at least in the British chemical industry over the years 1910-1952. Straight-run distillates 20 and higher boil ing point fractions of catalytically cracked petroleum 21 may contain numerous carcino genic hydrocarbons. A relationship between exposure to these substances and high inci dence o f ' occupational skin diseases other than cancer has been reported22 and tests in animals with cutting oils have implicated them as possible carcinogenic agents. More recently cutting oils with a sulfonated min eral-oil base have been connected definitely with squamous-cell carcinoma of the skin among Canadian metal cutters.23 Six cases of skin cancer and one case of papilloma have been reported among workers with an average exposure period of about 20 years. 1f\ 10 A. M. A. ARCHIVES O f INDUSTRIAL HEALTH I, ()('< tive therapeutic agent for this compound has yet been developed; complete protection is afforded by airline gas-masks or a mask cartridge layered with soda lime, silica gel, and activated carbon.7 Decaborane (B i0H h ) presents a toxicity picture similar to, but slightly less than that of pentaborane but as it is a solid, it presents less of a hazard than pentaborane; accordingly its tentative threshold limit has been set at 0.05 ppm. The cardiovascular actions of decaborane in animals have been reported.8 It is recognized that the boranes arc but additional examples of nonmetal hydrides such as phosphine, arsine, stibine, hydrogen sulfide, etc., which are characterized by their exquisite toxicity. Although ozone is by no means a new compound, two factors have been shown to have remarkable effects on modifying its toxicity, exercise and pre-exposure." E xer cise during exposure to ozone has been shown by the research work at Occupational Health Field Headquarters, U .S.P.H .S., to enhance markedly the toxic effects of ozone; simultaneous, intermittent exercise during a 6-hour exposure to otherwise noninjurious concentrations of ozone (around 1 ppm by vol.) proved lethal to rats and mice. On the other hand, pre-exposure to the same non-injurious levels of ozone, without exercise, resulted in a rapid devel opment of tolerance to multilethal doses of ozone that persisted for at least 4 weeks. The tolerance which developed within 24 hours protected the lungs from the pul monary edema and hemorrhage common to lethal exposure but did not abolish the characteristic spasmodic breathing or the narcosis. New Industrial Cancerigens There is a tendency to belittle the carcino genic potentiality of many substances on the basis that carcinogenicity in animals is no f t . - ....... ..n .n iritv mi m a n It w o u ld Sufficient work on beryllium now seems to have been done in one laboratory (Sara nac), at least, by Vorwald. Schepers, and Scheel0 to establish beryllium as a carci nogen in the rat. Inhalation of beryllium sulfate for several months (six) produced eventually what was interpreted as an adenocarcinoma of the lung. The cancer has been successfully transplanted subcutane ously in rats, whence it metastasized to the lung and the lymph nodes of the medi astinum. Inhalation of beryllium phosphor (13% Be) produced in 3 to 6 months lesions in the lungs which appeared to be squamous-cell carcinoma. The beryllium cancer has not been produced by other workers although it is not rat-strain de pendent in the hands of the Saranac work ers. Alkaline phosphatase inhibition appears to be the first step in the physiologic process leading to tissue changes. It is believed that the Be (O H ) + , a form through which all beryllium compounds pass in the fluids of the body, initiates the reaction. The lack of success of other workers elsewhere to re produce beryllium cancer is still disturbing, however. D oll10 has found that the incidence of lung cancer among 105 English asbestos workers employed more than 20 years was tenfold that in the normal j>opulation. C artier11 studying over a 9-year period 4000 asbestos miners in Canada, involving 128 cases of asbestosis, 40 of them with autopsies, found 6 of these had broncho genic carcinoma. Seven cases of lung cancer were found ampng asbestos miners with no asbestosis. With such relatively small numbers of cases one must be extremely cautious in drawing the conclusion of a causat relation ship between exposure and the disease. Snegircff and Lombard 18 several years ago pointed out in a study of lung cancer in arsenic plants involving similarly small n u m b ers o f eases th at can ce r d eath s in any plai ash' gn cno sm dec wa ca^ se< the tie ch' ce. si se c< b h: fi A b. tu w. a. e b i. ' l!,. IAL HEALTH i) now `seems atory (SaraehejRTs, ami 1 as a carciof beryllium 'x ) produced rcted ns an he cancer has 1 subcutanetas'ized to the >f the mediiuni phosphor o 6 months peared to be he beryllium ed by other rat-strain deiaranac worfc'bition appears ologic process s believed that Ugh which all the fluids of i The lack of awherc to re fill disturbing, incidence of gli;sh asbestos 20 years was d 1population. 0-year period ada, involving of them with had broncho { of lung cancer liners with no 1 numbers of y cautious in ausal relation- the disease. I eial years ago 1 aiig cancer in i oiilarly small # deaths in anv * OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NEWS plant. The question to resolve then in the asbestos exposures is whether a tenfold greater incidence of lung cancer is large enough to be significant when dealing with small samples of this sort. Before a final decision is reached it would seem well to wait until a more impressive number of cases have been documented. Moreover it seems to this author that the question of the nature of the asbestos in different locali ties and the associated minerals such as chromium and nickel, both recognized cancerigcns, seem to have been too little con sidered. Asbestos is a fibrous form of several different species of minerals, a point commonly disregarded. Hydrocarbon Products of Incom plete Combustion Carcinogenic hydrocarbons have now been shown to be present among the ex haust products of diesel and gasoline en gines,13 and in the air of English14 and American cities.f These products have been shown furthermore to produce skin tumors in mice. Although these findings were made in connection with community air [dilution studies, diesel and gasoline engines are used in many industrial opera tions. Efficient .and innocuous ojxwation of a diesel engine from an atmospheric pollu tion view has been pointed out as possible, moreover, without costly engine redesign.13 The fact that human lung cancer has not yet* been proved to arise from the inhalation of these hydrocarbon products should not act as a deterrent to an active program to reduce the air contamination of working areas from this source. Recent figures on lung and bronchial cancer from smokers and nonsmokers in urban (Liverpool) and rural areas 13 show definitely an urban " factor." The benzpyrene content of the air of urban areas was 8 to 11 times greater than in the rural areas, a ratio which corresponds with the estimated mortality ratio among non relation seems tenable, it should not be considered proved, as a considerable part of the evidence rests on the statements of the widows of the deceased as to their smoking habits. Bladder and Skin Cancer 4-Amino diphenyl has now been repeat edly found to produce carcinoma of the urinary bladder of dogs fed this substance.^ the last of these confirming reports being that of Deichmann in 1956. The cancer was predominantly squamous in type and was produced from total doses ranging from 30 gm. (English workers) to 113 gm., 3 to 10 gm/kg. (American workers). The British investigators consider 4-amino diphenyl as a more effective bladder car cinogen than either benzidine or 2-acetyl aminofluorene, and at least as potent as beta naphthylamine. * A resurvey of the British chemical dye industry13 produced statistical evidence that bladder tumors are associated with the man ufacture of the dyes auramine or magenta (aminodiphenyl and aminotriphenyimethane dyes) but do not necessarily arise from contact with the finished dyes themselves. Aniline, however, has been definitely ex cluded as a causative agent in bladder tumors, at least in the British chemical industry over the years 1910-1952. Straight-run distillates 20 and higher boil ing point fractions of catalytically cracked petroleum 21 may contain numerous carcino genic hydrocarbons. A relationship between exposure to these substances and high inci dence of occupational skin diseases other than cancer has been reported22 and tests in animals with cutting oils have implicated them as possible carcinogenic agents. More recently cutting oils with a sulfonated min eral-oil base have been connected definitely with squamous-cell carcinoma of the skin among Canadian metal cutters.23 Six cases of skin cancer and one case of papilloma H w ' lv .-n iv n n rtc fl rimnn w n r t i 'r . vvilb rin riOXAL HEALTH NEWS V question to resolve then in the xposures is whether a tenfold idence of lung cancer is large !>e significant when dealing with les of this sort. Before a final reached it would seem well to i more impressive number of iiceii documented. Moreover it ;is author that the question of i the asbestos in different locali se associated minerals such as md nickel, both recognized canm to have been too little coni cstos is a fibrous form of nt species of minerals, a point -regarded. son P ro d u cts of Incom plete C om bustion hydrocarbons have now . i>e present among the ex- of diesel and gasoline en- :i the air of E n g lish 14 and . -.f These products have irthermore to produce skin Although these findings- nmcction with community tidies, diesel and gasoline < i in many industrial opera*- <ud innocuous operation of frnm an atmospheric pollu- i n pointed out as possible, "ii nil costly engine redesign.13 ` human lung cancer has not ' i.to arise from the inhalation " Mtiinn products should not nt to an active program to nit,animation of working -nitav. Recent figures on .1 cancer from smokers and 'in i Liverpool) and rural "nitric an urban " factor." nii nt of the air of urban 'm i s greater than in the 'a Inch corresponds with ' dity ratio among non- *''a Although the causal i .I r,tmmmicAtion to the relation seems tenable, it should not be considered proved, as a considerable part of the evidence rests on the statements of the widows of the deceased as to their smoking habits. Bladder and Skin Cancer 4-Amino diphenyl has now been repeat edly found to produce carcinoma of the urinary bladder of dogs fed this substance,i the last of these confirming reports being that of Deichmann in 1956. The cancer was predominantly squamous in type and was produced from total doses ranging from 30 gm. (English w orkers) to 113 gm., 3 to 10 gm /kg. (American workers). The British investigators consider 4-amino diphenyl as a more effective bladder car cinogen than either benzidine or 2-acetyl aminofluorene. and at least as potent as beta naphthylamine. A resurvev of the British chemical dye industry 111 produced statistical evidence that bladder tumors are associated with the man ufacture of the dyes auramine or magenta ( aminodiphenyl and aminotriphenylmethane dyes) but do not necessarily arise from contact with the finished dyes themselves. Aniline, however, has been definitely ex cluded as a causative agent in bladder tumors, at least in the British chemical industry over the years 1910-1952. Straight-run distillates 80 and higher boil ing point fractions of catalytically cracked petroleum 31 may contain numerous carcino genic hydrocarbons. A relationship between exposure to these substances and high inci dence of occupational skin diseases other than cancer has been reported 22 and tests in animals with cutting oils have implicated them as possible carcinogenic agents. More recently cutting oils with a sulfonated min eral-oil base have been connected definitely with squamous-cell carcinoma of the skin among Canadian metal cutters.23 Six cases of skin cancer and one case of papilloma h a v e b e e n r e p o r te d a m o n g w o r k e r s with an average exposure period of about 20 years. t References 16-18. 206 A. if. A. ARCHIVES OF INDUSTRIAL III..II.TII Although most of the lesions appeared on the forearms, one case involved the scrotum of a worker on whom oil splashed contin ually in the region of his lower abdomen, giving a dear definition to the relation be tween exposure and response from this type of oil. On the other hand, no skin cancer or precancerous manifestations have ap peared to date among a group of 180 shaleoil workers in this country studied over a period of the past 6 years. The group will remain under continued observation, how ever. Toxic Thermal Decomposition Products The toxicity of the degradation products of a large number and variety of plastics, synthetic hydraulic and lubricating fluids, and fire extinguishants has been determined chiefly by Treon and associates.24 The im portance of the studies is the finding that the over-all toxicity of the thermally de graded products from each substance was greater by a large factor than the substances from which they originated. The substances studied thus far include Teflon, Kel-F, Fluorolube FS (all fluoro or fluorochloroorganic polymers), silicones, Gafite (a chlorinated methacrylate), a paraffinic hy drocarbon lubricating oil, Skydrol, Pydraul F-9, Arochlor 1242, tricresyl phosphate, adipate and sebacate esters, and Freon F13B1. In a few instances the toxic factors have been partly identified. As might be expected, the amount, nature, and toxicity of the products were dependent upon the temperature of decomposition; in general, greater toxicity was experienced with in creasing decomposition temperatures until a maximum was reached at a temperature characteristic of the substance. Tempera tures above 500 F generally produced the more important amounts of toxic products from most polymers. The hazards of the decomposition products of the synthetic lubricants and hydraulic fluids are no greater than those from the common lubri cating oils; a man would not stay volun- Birmingham. D. J. : Unpublished reports. tarily in the presence of significant concentrations of these products. Another interesting finding was a marked decrea-c in toxicity of the thermal decom|x>Miii,n products of Freon F13B1 in the presence of moisture. The mechanism by which thi> j, brought about is being studied. Trichloroethylene Exposure Problem There is probably no industrial solvent on which there is currently more discussion on the proper level for worker exposure than trichloroethylene. Some indication of ihe lack of agreement may be seen in the widely different threshold limit values in use in America (200 ppm); England, ICI (400 ppm); Russia (9 ppm); Italy, Parniegiani (100 ppm). Ahlmark and Friberg in Swe den, on the basis of trichloroacetic acid excretion values, would prefer an a*.-rage daily exposure to trichloroethylene m, more than 30 ppm;25 Several p inkreasons for these widely dissimilar urs come to mind. 1. Trichloroethylene may contain : rcciable and differing quantities of ' 'dv toxic impurities. 2. Differing methods used for sa: tig and analysis for trichloroethylene. 3. Differing means, of appraising r of exposure to trichloroethylene. 4. National" idiosyncracies of in habits, metabolism, differing genetic rin and worker age groups. The problem has importance th:/ nscends that of the proper level for tr:. <>ethylene; it involves also the more c ra! question whether safe levels set fc mcountry are appropriate for another all instances. To date it is not pos.-i t" decide this definitely because, with d nception of Russia, most threshold nt values in use in foreign countries ha' - cn taken from values used in the United .' c>. Only recently has a beginning been n.; in developing values in other countries >cause of the general importance o: die question, efforts were made to elicit po !>!< causes of the difference from a numU. oi 210 rcuRATIONAL HEALTI. eign investigators famii ethylene exposures. he consensus of tl stigators, Ahlmark (S\\ prance), Grandjean (S\\ bcek (Czechoslovakia), i ve four questions, was ties in the trichloroethyl opling and analysis of the account for the differei rather that their i |ical evaluation, especial h ation, tends to account Sal of trichloroethylene zrd to health than consid vers to the more diffici of the role of nationa [Ter were not forthcomin |ed not to have been estion may have an impor problem, however. Evid hy or national difference plism of an industrial a^ ilned from a comparisoi _workers in Peru and easurable changes in fins lirred in Peruvian worki els above 10yV/l., wherea30yV/l. were required I ^similar magnitude were vanadium workers. In 5.' position of 200 ppm t F trichloroethylene may be Gevably low air values ob ropean workers in the are. Sylene degreasers ( Grandje Rrichloroacetic acid as a m. ng safe exposure levels (Ai !lack of objective evidence Jury among trichloroethy] jonically exposed over a pi rs. Further exploration, I toxicologic, is needed to cl tant question. Li Herbert E. Stoki r. Chief, Toxicology t Occupational He;. > Cincinnati * ? % * ! * & ' 'n * A *' S OF INDUSTRIAL HEAL% -'jar ic presence of s'gnific of these products. A ool iding was a marked deer t the thermal decompose reon F13B1 in the p reset mechanism by which^ is being studied.; hylene Exposure Proble bably no industrial solve^ currently more discussic el for'worker exposunT ne. " Some indication^ ent may be' seen in th< hold limit values in , ppm) "England, T (9 ppm); Italy/P ar vhlmark and Friberg* >asis of trichloroacef s,'would prefer ana? to trichloroethylene^ ) ppm.*8 S e v e r a l ese widely dissimilar thylene may contain tering -quantities methods used fo r | r trichloroethylene^ means, of appraising trichloroethylene// idiosyncracies ..jM j sm, differing geneuS groups.'^ has importance* ie proper level fo n olves also the meg tr safe levels set ropriate..for_miotr date it is not. po$g litely because, tyit isia, m ost. threshoE foreign countries? s used in the UnitS s a beginning beein s in other countr eneral importanc were made to elicl? Fcrence from am i OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH N EW S fori ;gn investigators familiar with trichlo- roe' Hylene exposures. The consensus of the foreign in vest jators, Ahlmark (Sweden), Truhaut (Ft nee), Grandjean (Switzerland), and Sou ;k (Czechoslovakia)/in answer to the abo .* four questions, was that neither im- pur: es in the trichloroethylene nor faults in sair. ing and analysis of the air are believed to z :ount for the differences. They be lieve rather that t their . more thorough med d evaluation, especially neurologic ex am; :ion, tends to account for their ap- prai; of trichloroethylene as a severer baza . to health than considered elsewhere. Ansv rs to the more difficult fourth ques tion ; the role of national idiosyncracies tithe: were not forthcoming or were ad- mitti: not to have been studied. The quest a may have an important bearing on die problem, however. Evidences of geog raphy or national differences affecting me tabolism of an industrial agent have been btained from a comparison of vanadium ' ore workers in Peru and in America.** Measurable changes in fingernail cystine occurred in Peruvian workers at urinary levels above 10yV/I., whereas levels greater 30yV/l. were required before changes Ilf similar magnitude were found among \vs. IVS. vanadium workers. In defense of the position of 200 ppm threshold limit trichloroethylene may be cited the un- evably low air values obtained by 'the iropean workers in the area of trichloro- bylene degreasers (Grandjean),** the use trichloroacetic acid as a means of evalu- safe exposure levels (Ahlmark)*5 and f lack of objective evidence in the U.S. of ny among trichloroethylene workers tically exposed over a period of many Further exploration/ both medical toxicologic, is needed to clarify this im- tt question. . . . . H erbert E . Stoking?, PH.D. _ Chief, Toxicology Services Occupational Health Program Cincinnati ' . REFERENCES 1. Golz, H. H .: Toxicity of Acrylamide, Lec ture Delivered at Kettering Laboratories, Cin cinnati, Ohio, March, 1956. ; 2. Treon, J. F .; Zapp, J., and others: Toxicity of the Diisocyanates, Discussed at Kettering L ab oratories, Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb., 1956. 3. Krackow, . H .: Toxicity and Health Hazards of Boron Hydrides, A.M.A. Arch. Indust. Hyg. 8:335, 1953. . 4. Svirbely, J: L. : Subacute Toxicity of Decab- orane and Pentaborane Vapors, A.M_A. Arch. Indust. Hyg. 10:305, 1954. . 5. Svirbely, J. L .: Toxicity Tests of Decabo- rane for Laboratory Animals: I. Acute Toxicity Studies, A.M.A. Arch. Indust H ealth 11:132, 1955. 6. Svirbely, J. L .: Toxicity Tests of Decaborane for Laboratory Animals: II. Effect of Repeated Doses, A.M.A. Arch. Indust Health 11:138, 1955. 7. Hill, W . H., and Svirbely, J. L .: Gas-Mask Protection Against Decaborane, A .M A Arch. Ind. Hyg. 10:69, 1954. A Walton, R. P .; Richardson, J. _A., and Bsodic, O. J . : Cardiovascular Actions of Decab orane, J. PharmacoL & Exper. Therap. 114:368, ; 1955. , 9. Schepers, G. W. H .: Recent Observations on Chronic Pulmonary Beryllium Disease, in Transactions of the 20th Annual Meeting of the Industrial Hygiene Foundation, Pittsburgh, Nov., 1955. ; 10. Doll, R .: Mortality from L ung' Cancer in Asbestos Workers, Brit. J. Indust. Med. 12:81, 1955. , 11. Cartier, P . : Some Clinical Observations of Asbestosis in Mine and Mill Workers, A.M.A. Arch. Indust. Health 11:204, 1955. 12. Snegireff, L. S., and Lombard, O. M .: Ar senic and Cancer:. Observations in Metallurgical Industry, A .M .A Arch. Indust. Hyg. 4:199, 1951. 13. Kotin, P .; Falk, H. L., and Thomas, M .: Aromatic Hydrocarbons: III. Carcinogenicity --Of Exhaust Extracts, A.M.A. Arch. Indust Health 11:113,1955. 14. W allerj R. E : Benzpyrene Content of Town Air, B rit J. Cancer 6 :8 ,1952. 15. Stocks, P., and Campbell, J. M .: Lung Cancer Death Rates Among Non-Smokers and Pipe and Cigarette Smokers, Brit. M. J. 2:923, 1955. :: -> r - .*..: . 16. Hueper, W . C : Recent Developments in Environmental Cancer, A.M.A. Arch. Path. 58: 360 1954. 17. Walpole, A L .; Williams, M. H . C , and Roberts, D. C : Tumors of Urinary Bladder in Dogs A fter Ingestion of 4-Aminobiphehyl, Brit. / . Indust Med. 11:105,1954. ; 18. Deichmann, W . B., and others: Carcinogenic Action of p-Aminobiphenyl in the Dog: Prelim- 211 r ' e A. M. A. A R C H IV E S OF IX DUSTRIAI. u, .... inary Rejiort, A .M .A . Arch. Indust. H ealth 13: 8. 1956. 19. Case. R. A. M.. and Pearson. I. T. : Tnmours of the U rinary B ladder in W orkm en Engaged in the M anufacture and Use of Certain Dyestuff Intermediates in the British Chemical Industry. Brit. J. Indust. Med. 11:213. 1954. 20. W oodhouse, D. L.. and Irwin. J. O. : C ar cinogenic Activity o f Some Petroleum Fractions and E xtracts. J . H yg. 48:121, 1950. 21. Smith, W . E . ; Sunderland, D. A., and Sugiura. K. : Sym posium on Cancer Control P ro gram for H igh-B oiling Catalytically Cracked Oils. Experimental Analysis of the Carcinogenic Activity of C ertain Petroleum Products, A.M.A. Arch. Indust. H yg. 4:299, 1951. 22. Cruickshank, C. X . D. : Industrial Derm a titis: Recent Studies in Causation and Prevention. J . Roy. San. Inst. 70:480, 1950. 23. Gilman. J . P . \V., and Vesselinovitch, S. D. : C utting O ils and Squamous Cell C an in..; : J. Indust. Med. 12:244. 1955. 24. T reon, J. F., and others: Toxin;- . Products Formed hy the Thermal IVr,.;;.. of Certain Organic Substances, A .l.ll..\ , 16:186.1955. 25. A hlm ark, A., and Fribcrg, L : Si.,,., Maximal Allowable Concentration of Tr:.: ethylene and Sim ilar Substances HiS artvck u. X ord. Hyg. Tidskr. 36:165. I1*:: 26. M ountain, J. T . ; Stocked, F. k . | r Stokinger, H . E . : Studies in Yanadiu:- i cologv: III. Fingernail Cystine as an dicator o f M etabolic Changes in Van;,... W orkers, A.M .A. Arch. Indust. Health 12 ; 1955. 27. G randjean, E., and others: Investigation,, the E ffects o f E xposure to Trichloroeii:jli-i:c Mechanical E ngineering, Brit. J. Indust. Mel 131, 1955. Summary of Meeting of Advisory Committee on Health Hazards in Uranium Mining and Milling Industry A meeting was held in Denver on April 11, 1956, to review preliminary findings and recommendations resulting from the five year research project on radon and its daughter products in the mines and mills in Colorado. The meeting presented an op portunity for representatives of the Occu pational Health Program of the Public Health Serv ice. U .S . Department of Health, Education, and W elfare, the Colorado State Department of Public Health, Colorado Bureau of Mines, Industrial Commission of Colorado and others, and the mine operators and ore processors to talk over the findings prior to their publication. 1. S u m m ary of th e H isto ry and D evelopm ent of the Project M r. H enry N . Doyle, Occupational Health Program, Public Health Service, IVashington, D .C.-- The Colorado Plateau survey has had a two-pronged approach, an environmental study of the atmosphere in the mines and mills and a medical study of persons engaged in the industry. Through- out the study there has been an e. accumulate information which could to formulate standards or criteria f* ations and for the health protectim workers. 2. S um m ary of S tudy on O ccurn Radon and Radon. Daughter Pr in U ranium Mines M r. Duncan A . Holaday, Chief, tiotwl Health Field Station, Public Service, Salt Lake City, Utah.--Dur first year of the survey, samples o: and radon daughters were taken bu. came apparent that the daughters werimportant in determining hazards th radon itself. Previous European studies had bet cemed with radon and had not take consideration the factor of air mo\ and its effect on radon daughter coik tion. A field method of determini: daughters was developed which expconcentrations in equivalent (micro-microcuries per liter) of air 212 IIPATIOXA1. H EA LTH SLAVS 0 ^ data com]tiled and correlated u information, a suggested work ^ J o f 300 /ific/liter was established t! j rs to be safe and can be achiev Bgh ventilation under most circu iples obtained from 157 mines in Co ( K i n 1952 indicated that the major [in excess of 300 /i^c/liter. In folio ears, emphasis was placed on impn entilation and it was found that e\ air movement makes a great deal ence in the radon daughter concent tSummary of the Medical Aspect: of the Study | , W. Clark Cooper, Chief, Occupath nffc Field Headquarters, Public Hct CC, Cincinnati.--Detailed medical nations were begun on miners. 1 roricers, and others involved in uraiv ^ ratio n s in 1950. The first year, yeRons were included in the studv; in 1 there were 456 and the following year . l^these groups, only 65 persons v. (bond who had three or more years employment with underground expos % means that European and Color statistics should not be compared at time, as' manv of the European miners m very long exposures. |l t t 1954, a total of 1319 uranium 1 tpersonnel were examined to establish t t r a study population to be followe f iir work in the uranium mines. If 11 S of this group leave uranium mil effort will be made to continue to c j them. A census of miners complete 55 resulted in the locating of 668 o1 [19 examined the year before. Follow r mail of the remainder resulted in 1 a g all but 171. f i ) r . Cooper said that except for r. graphic evidence of silicosis in occas Individuals there have been no nu Sidings to date which show any e: attributable to occupation in the ura mdustrv. While the findings provid A. \f. A. ARCHll'llS OF IXPLSTRIAl. Hl.AI.lli T he Action or V ariable A mounts of T ridymite and of T ridymite Combined with Coai. on the Luncs of Rats. D. A ttycalle, E. J. King, C. V. H arrison, and <1. \ vuj schmidt, Brit. .1. Indust. Med. 13:41-50 (Jan.) 1956. Pure tridymite dust samples of equal particle size were injected into the lun.es of ran Maximum fibrosis was produced in 300 days by a 12.5 mg. dose, in 70 days with a 25 mj dose, and in 50 days with a 50 mg. dose. The 12.5 mg. dose of tridymite produced lesion- t! 300 days which were similar to the lesions reduced 50 mg. quartz in a slightly sliorirr time. The larger doses of tridymite produced a more rapid and larger total of fibrous tissue thar. did the smaller doses. Fibrous tissue was estimated by analysis of the collagen present. Anthracite and bituminous coal dust alone did not produce lung fibrosis, nor did 1 me doses of tridymite. Thirty milligram doses of anthracite or bituminous coal plus a oik milligram dose of tridymite produced Grade 2 fibrosis. It is suggested that the inert coal retards the movement of tridymite in the lymphatics, causing it to be retained in the lung where it exerts a fibrogenic effect. S herman S. P into, Denver. Dermatitis from Mansonia W ood. L. B. Bourne, Brit. J. Indust. Med. 13:55-58 (.land 1956. Mansonia wood is a tropical wood suitable for general carpentry uses. In the factory under study, the dust produced by fine sanding caused irritation in 7 out of 12 men so ex)mil The commonest symptoms were rhinitis, dermatitis, and localized edema of the affected areas. Removal from contact with the dust resulted in rapid healing of the lesions. No information as to the irritant responsible for the trouble is available. S herman S. P into, Denver. N ew V iewpoints on P ulmonary Cancer in A sbestos W orkers. V. H. Bohi.ig and ('. J acob, Deutsche med. Wchnschr. 81:231-233 (Feb. 17) 1956. In commenting on whether the pulmonary carcinoma observed in asbestos workers differs from other forms of lung cancer, the authors point out that the following distinguishing factors have been attributed to the lung cancer that has been recognized as an occupational disease of asbestos workers: (1) increased incidence; (2) development at an early ace; (3) dependence on duration of exposure to asbestos dust; (4) a latent period between onset of exposure and the appearance of the cancer; (5) the localization; (6) the histologic -:rurture. and (7) the multicentral origin. The authors show that, contrary to the widely held belief that asbestos workers : in great danger of developing lung cancer, the incidence of cancer among these workers - nut greater than it is in the general population. Only women workers in the asbestos in-; -try have so far shown a greater predisposition to lung cancer than have other women. The incidence in women asbestos workers corresponds to the frequency of bronchial carcino in men. As regards the age of onset, the authors found that at least in men there w no difference between the age of onset of pulmonary carcinoma in asbestos workers and btv> nisi carcinoma in general. The duration of exposure to asbestos dust varies in literature r- -ns between 19 months and 42 years, and the authors feel that such a wide span makes it di >tlt to estimate the importance of exposure without regard to the intensity of asbestos du- oncentration. The latent period averaged 23 years, which is the same as that of other carcin- . nic factors. The localization of pulmonary carcinoma is different in asbestos carcinoma; where: - the relative involvement of upper and lower lobes in ordinary bronchial cancer is in the ra: oi 2:1, asbestos cancer is characterized by a greater involvement of the lower lobes. With regard to the histologic structure, reports indicate that the squamous-celled epitheli 'as and the adenocarcinomas, that is, the mature forms of carcinoma, predominate among he pulmonary carcinomas of asbestos workers, but these forms show the same or an even gr, .ter predominance among bronchial carcinomas in general. However, malignant growths ot iie pleura seem to occur more frequently in asbestos workers than in other persons. The rrt.ticentrai development of pulmonary cancer is not restricted to asbestos workers but is obfer.ed also in workers exposed to cobalt and to chromates. Thus, except for the relatively greater involvement of the lower lobes, and the perH.ps Slightly greater incidence of the more mature forms of cancer, little remains of the Slippi -id 278 ridymite Combined w ith Coal . V. H arrison, and G. N agel- \ injected into the lungs of rats, dose, in 70 days with a 25 mg. of tridymite produced lesions in g. iquartz in a slightly shorter arger total of fibrous tissue than L5 iof the collagen present, cei lung fibrosis, nor did 1 mg. ori bituminous coal plus a one is isuggested that the inert coal jt to be retained in the lungs Sherman S. P into, Denver. 1. Ilndust. Med. 13:55-58 (Jan.) carpentry uses. In the factory n in 7 out of 12 men so exposed, zed edema of the affected areas, qf the lesions. No information 5herman S. P into, Denver. 'oftKKRS. V. H. Boh lig and 6.i :rved in asbestos workers differs! hat the following distinguishing! :n recognized as an occupational! development at an early age;! 4) a latent period between onset! ization; (6) the histologic struc- e that asbestos workers are seer among these workers is workers in the asbestos indusl - than have other women. H iQ lufney of bronchial carcinoma n t at least in men there was n iasbestos workers and broni dust varies in literature report ich a wide span makes it diflfi e iintensity of asbestos dust ante as that of other carcinogt asbestos carcinoma; whereas ronchial cancer is in the ratio t o f the lower lobes. : the squamous-celled epitheli ccinoma, predominate among the] ihbw the same or an even great ever, malignant growths o f the! tan in other persons. The multir asbestos workers but is obsei hie lower lobes, and the perhapR" er, little remains of the supposed! distinguishing characteristics of the pulmonary cancers in asbestos workers. The greater ncidence and the appearance at an earlier age in women raise interesting problems. The study of the pathogenesis is still in the stage of hypotheses, and the theory of mechanical pathogenesis is given most consideration at present. Inhaled asbestos needles supposedly are 'lulled" into the interstices and constantly cause microtraumas, or they are transformed into -sbestos bodies by deposits of protein-iron gels. These bodies are always found in the pul- onary cancers of asbestos workers, but the authors feel that this does not necessarily prove lie aforementioned mechanical theory. They cite several factors that speak against a purely : :echanical pathogenesis of asbestos cancer, but they also concede that the development of .-called asbestos warts proves the irritating effect of asbestos on human tissues. uiteria tor the Diagnosis of Occupational I llness. Indust. Med. 10:427-442 (Oct.) 1955. This article is in four sections, each written by an expert in the field: 1. Metals and Other Inorganic Substances--Robert A. Kehoe. 2. Solvents--John H. Foulger. 3. Radiation--Roy E. Albert. 4. Organic Materials--John A. Zopp Jr. 1. This section is on the history of exposure to metals and other inorganic substances and t .animation of the patient. The need for good clinical investigation, using the chemical, micro5 opic, and x-ray facilities to their fullest extent, is stressed. A comprehensive background (. physiological, toxicological, and clinical knowledge is essential to .the examiner. 2. This is a very interesting section on what the solvents are. and the factors that make i: difficult to say that a given solvent has caused a given condition. " I n addition to the usual clinical data, the conditions of exposure to solvents must be known. Theories governing comp-.nsation courts are discussed, as well as the new medicolegal situation. 3. Most types of radiation, damage are nonspecific, and their finding rests heavily on the availability of accurate estimates of radiation exposure. Important to the operation of any process utilizing ionizing radiation is the establishment of rigid exposure controls, with care ful documentation of duration and type o f exposure. 4. There are no quick or easy criteria for the diagnosis of occupational disease due to organic materials. Only when the disease is full-blown is the diagnosis easy. Evaluation of tin- effect of organic materials on experimental animals will lead to a knowledge of what organs and systems are affected and to satisfactory control measures. Nonspecific criteria of stress to excessive exposure may be satisfactory. H azel Midwood. Boston. Health H azards in th e M ining of U ranium Ores. M. Barsotti and L. P armeggiaxi, Med. lavoro 47:21-24 (Jan.) 1956. Uranium ore miners are exposed primarily to a silicosis hazard because of the high quartz content of the mineral gangue. The radioactivity of uranium can induce lesions due to inhalation of radon or to inhalation or ingestion of radioactive particles. The external radiation due to gamma rays seems less important in the mine surveyed by the authors. Artificial ventilation of the mining fields is the fundamental method to protect the miners both from silicosis and from radioactivity hazards. The industrial physician, nevertheless, must take a variety of measures that are discussed in detail. The authors report the results of their clinical and environmental control of a uranium mine that has been active for four years. from the A uthors' Summary. Carcinoma of th e L ungs Caused by Chromates: A n Occupational D isease. H. R inck, Medizinische No. 10, 342-345 (March 10) 1956. Since 1936 primary bronchial carcinoma has been recognized by the German accident insurance laws as a compensable occupational disease of workmen employed with industrial plants in which chromates or chromium dyes are produced and in which chromium is used tor tlie production of various goods. Compensation has been granted because of the high incidence of carcinoma of the lungs among these workers. Two cases of bronchial carcinoma are described in a 54-year-old man, who for 30 years had been employed in the leaching and crystallization departments of a chromate producing plant, and in a 55-year-old foreman, who tor 19 years had been working in a bichromate plant. Eight and three months, respectively, 279 r. a . A R a u r n s o r i x d c s t r i a l d e a l t X that the finest silica particles of 0.0l/i ( 0.02/1 were considerable more toxic than th coarser samples. ^ REFERENCES J 1. Dale, J. C , and King. E. J . : Acute Tom of Mineral Dusts, A. M. A. Arch. Indust, ft 7:478. 1953. | 2. King, E. .1.: Contribution to a Debate; Die Stauhhmgcncrkrankungen. edited hy K.*V Jtten. Darmstadt, Dr. Dietrich Steinkopff Veds; 1954, p. 197. 3. Klosterktter, \V .: Tierexperimenteller Bei: rag zur Frage der toxischen Wirkung moleknb gelster Kieselsure. Arch. Hyg. 136:188, 15t 4. Gross, P . : Biologic Testing of New Mafc rials of Fine Particle Size. Bulletin 28, Industrie Hygiene Foundation of America. Pittsburgh, 5. Jtten, K. \V.. and Klosterktter,-W. :1b Bedeutung der Lslichkeit d e r1Kieselsure it' das Zustandekommen der Pneumonokoniosr Arch. Hyg. 136:1, 1952. - 6. Drinker, P.. and Hatch. T. F .: Industii. Dust. Ed. 2. New York. McGraw-Hill Book Co# pnnv, Inc., 1954. ? 7. Flemmert, G .: Studies on Inorganic Ruttr Fillers: Hedemora. Stockholm, Royal Institute e Technology, 1953. ..eF*` Tr Abstracts from Current Literature E d ited by W . D avid S m a ll G eneral S election of Mixeks: A Survey of School-L eavers in a Valley in South W ales. I. T. T H iccins and P. D. Oldham, with assistance of A. J. Merrick and M. I. Dunsuvn. Brit. J. Prev. & Social Med. 10:32-38 (Jan.) 1956. Elderly miners in South W ales are shorter and lighter than nonminers. These dif ferences may be due either to selection o r to mining environment. To study the problem, school-leavers in the Rhondda Fach Valley of South Wales have been examined physically and physiologically. They were also x-rayed, and a short mental test teagiven. The boys who were taking up mining were somewhat bigger and more muscular than controls. The intelligence of the mining boys was not significant!) dilTeretit from other leavers; nor did the x-ray findings show' any definite differences. The m ost pro nounced difference was a m atter of extra weight at age 15 for the school-leavers taking up mining compared with the otliers. Nothing definite can be deduced from the data gathered, but the boys are to be followed up as far as possible to ascenam whether mining environment exerts any effect in later life. E. I.. I'ol.t.ls Occupational Diseases and Hazards P otential O ccupational F actors in L ung Cancer. W. E. S m ith, Proceedings of American Cancer Society, pp. 77-118, 1956. A historical review' of occupational lung cancer occurring in various imhi-trie- ipresented, including cancer in the German uranium mines, cancer in the chromate in dustry. cancer as a sequel of asbestosis, and cancer of unexplained causes in the maim .'acture of isopropyl alcohol. Altogether, occupational tumor hazards apply to relativeiv -mall groups of men and do not begin to account for the large number of cases that have occurred. They indicate, however, that agents from the external environment may produce lung cancer and that further study of potentially carcinogenous materials to which large populations may be exposed is needed. The following talks were presented in the discussions of this paper. Chromates. By S. E. Miller. Earlier work on chromates as a source of lung cancer is reviewed, especially the investigation made by the Public Health Service from 1948 to 1953. T he manufacturing process is described. Morbidity and mortality data showed that approximately four and one-half times as many deaths from lung cancer occurred as in the general population. Environmental study showed that cancer occurred entirely among those exposed to mists of soluble chromates. No cases followed prolonged ex posure to high concentrations of chromite ore. Research is being carried out in at least two institutions attempting to evaluate the carcinogenic properties of chromates. Arscnicols: Coal-Tar Derivatives. By W. C. Hueper. Lung cancer from these materials is discussed extensively. P art of the conclusion is that no single factor has played a predominant role in bringing out the startling increase in lung-cancer frequency, but that lung cancer is not a disease but a collection of diseases differing in etiological and symptomatic respects. Adenocarcinoma in the Lung o f Albino Rats Exposed to Compounds o f Beryllium. By A. J. Vorwald. The experiments of this preliminary report involve a' strain of 30 penhred rats exposed by inhalation or intratracheal injection of beryllium sul/ate or oxide. Five of these rats developed primary adenocarcinoma, with metastases in two cases. These results indicate that (1) at least these two beryllium compounds may produce experimental pulmonary cancer and (2) primary cancer may he produced in the albino rat, thus offering a tool for study concerning pathogenicity and possible therapy. 487 A. M. A. A R C I I I I F S OF I X I H S T R I . i l . Ut Al y. Radioactive Dust. By M Eisenluid. The occurrence oi lung cancer in the Scliiiccbui ,, Joachitnsthal mines first called attention to this possible source. Xo cases of cancer Innoccurred am ong the many workers who handled radium, thorium, and uranium in ii,, United States prior to the onset of the atomic energy industry, and no cases have ... far occurred in that industry. The maximum permissible exposure is discussed. Krcrm studies of human autopsy material indicate that the radioactive m aterial found in i: lungs is lower than would he predicted on the basis of animal experiments. Asbestos. By K. M. Lynch. The literature on lung cancer caused by asliestos or as a seipi. oi asbestosis is reviewed. From an analysis of the problem as it stands, it appears th.e the available evidence is not conclusive but that it supports the suspicion sufficiently n. require continued investigation. I ndust. H yc. Dicks i. E xperim ental I nfective P neumoconiosis: II. Coal-M ine Dust w ith A ttenuated T uiiek<:. B acilli (B. C. G.) in th e L ungs of I mmunised Guinea- P igs. S. H. Zaidi. C. V H arrison, E. J. K in c , and D. A. M itchison, Brit. J. Exper. Path. 36:539-544 ( Ik v ., 1955. T he com bined action of coal-mine dust and living tubercle bacilli (B. C. G.) ami tinaction of their individual effects have been studied in the lungs of sensitized guinea pig- Coal-mine dust produced no pulmonary fibrosis. B. C. G. alone caused proliteratiw lesions w hich reached a peak at 60 days, followed by resolution, w ith no evidence <> disease after 150 days. Coal-mine dust combined with B. C. G. produced proliferative and extensive lesion T he peak of the disease was reached at 120-150 days, and then it regressed gradual: over a period of one year. There was a loose reticulinosis of the lesions and no nect.--- F rom t h e A uthors' S ummary E xperim ental I nfective P neumoconiosis: I I I . Coal-M ine Dust and I soniazid-R f.si.m a T ubercle Bacilli of Moderate V irulence S. H. Zaidi, C. V . H arrison, E. .1. K: and D. A. M itchison. Brit. J. Exper. Path. 36:545-552 (Dec.) 1955. T he com bined action of coal-mine dust and tuberculous infection produced by catalase-negative isoniazid-, streptomycin-, and PAS-rcsistant Strain 3073 oi My bacterium tuberculosis of moderate virulence and the individual effects of Strain and coal-mine dust have been studied by the intratracheal injection of these substm: in guinea pigs. Strain 3073 alone produced fibrocaseous lesions which regressed, leaving small fied nodules as the only evidence of previous infection. Coal-mine dust alone prodn no fibrosis. T he combined action of bacilli and dust produced extensive tuberculous cavv involving large areas of lung tissue, and killed the guinea pigs. F rom t h e A uthors' S ummary E xperimental I nfective P neumoconiosis: IV . M assive P ulmonary F ibrosis P roduce Coal-M in e D ust and I soniazid-R esistant T ubercle Bacilli of Low Y irui.e S. H . Zaidi, C. V. H arrison, E. J. K ing, and D. A. M itchison, Brit. 1. Exper. I 36:553-559 (Dec.) 1955. T he effects of intratracheal injection of coal-mine dust, a catalase-negative isonia resistant strain of tubercle bacilli of low virulence, and a combination of dust and ba were studied in the lungs of guinea pigs. T h e bacilli alone produced lesions \vi tended to disappear after 90 days, and the only evidences of tuberculosis at 300 were a few calcified nodules in some of the lungs. Coal-mine dust produced no r monary fibrosis. T he com bined action of coal-mine dust and bacilli produced massive pulmor fibrosis. In its early stages the fibrosis was composed mainly of thick reticulin fib and collagen, but over a longer period more collagen was laid down. Serial cultures of the lungs injected w ith coal-mine dust and bacilli yielded grov of tubercle bacilli up to, but not beyond, 120 days. The largest num ber of organis: was found at 30 days. In animals infected w ith bacilli alone, no grow th could obtained from the lung cultures, except from the guinea pig killed one day after t intratracheal injection. F rom th e A uthors' S ummary. 488 ABSTRAC TS FROM Cl RR T reatment ok Contact D erm Brit. M. J. 1:654-657 (Mm The widespread use of p< hazard for physicians and n difficulty, a few develop allot suffer considerable disability, sensitization." using the clan specific sensitizing agent, bu injections of the specific age are recorded which in varyim dose of either penicillin or stt allergic reaction to skin conta ^suppression of reaction may 1 to cover an allergic subject's weeks or months of handling acquired a relatively lasting ment and use of this "cover more familiar program of "d l Mass T richlorethylene I n R. Straus, A. W ilkinso (April) 1956. A serious accident in a i sons. The initially suspecter, as the toxic agent. Demonstvalues excluded the possibili organic toxic agent. The poisoning most prob; was confirmed by animal tox plant alteration, intended as intoxication was the result vented vapors from the trich ing system. T he w eather cc able for it. Some A spects ok O ccupation 11) 1956. This article discusses mai patch tests, prognosis, perio the author regarded the dis. were the m ost frequent can such irritants as a solvent .(32.1%) was the direct or i: of sensitization substances c. facturing of plastics, rubber compounds of chromium ai Patch tests, their use an perience they have been oi 240 patients w ith occupation lost varied from none to tin changed, which helped to ? ;