Document N2qOGd7Db7vNvpbOzDMdwXv5p

1953 ANNUAL INDEX Industrial Hygiene Digest INDUSTRIAL HEALTH NEWS LITERATURE ABSTRACTS MEDICAL ENGINEERING CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGICAL INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE FOUNDATION MELLON INSTITUTE 4400 FIFTH AVENUE PITTSBURGH 13. PA. - :j '/9 A Ca:o cl Pulmonary A s b1-sto s , with Ita Devclaome:it FoLov.-ed by X-::. and Its P j at Mo rtcrr. Stucv. P. Luton, J. Champcix, ana P. Faurc. Arc:-., maladies profess. L2, o29-o33 {1951) French. The case reported is said to have been the first one of asbestos;* kr.oxa to have occurred in France. The man had been exposed to hign con centrations of asbestos for 11 years. Symptoms and progressive x-ray find ings are described. After death the lungs showed general thickening through out, especially of the plurae, but with no localized nodules. Many asbestos bodies were seen, isolated and in groups, together with giant cells and min eral particles. No evidence of tuberculosis was found. The dust particles could be traced not only in the lung vessels, but also in the vessels of the liver, kidneys and spleen. The action of asbestos is apparently mechanical rather than chemical. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 80 Bvssinosis. J. B. M. Vismans, Ned. Tijdschr. Geneesk. 96,800 (Apr. 5, 1952). Dutch. Byssinosis occurs in workers in the cotton industry, chiefly in those who handle the cotton before it is sent to the spinning room. The author quotes from the literature and presents the histories of seven patients observed by himself which illustrate the three stages of the disease. He also comments on the incidence, etiology, pathologic anatomy, and diagnosis. Generally, the disease develops only after the worker has worked with cotton for at least five years. A constricted, tight feeling in the chest is usually the first mamfestation, and since this symptom is often severest on Mondays, the term "Monday fever" or'Monday cough" has been applied to it. Patients with the advanced form of byssinosis may die of decompensation of the right side of ike heart. Prophylaxis is of primary importance and should involve giving atten tion to the selection of workers and to dust control in cotton mills. -- Arch. Ind. Hyg. & Occ. Med. 1 j 1 ` , { ; ' 81 Studies on Cotton Dust in Relation to Byssinosis. Part III. Comparison of Cotton Dust"and"HouseDust by Chemical-and"Skin tests. H._R. Cayton, G. Furness, D.""s". Jackson, and H." "B. "Maitland"! Brit. J. Ind. Med. 9, 303-308 (Oct. 1952). ~ An extract of cotton dust has been compared chemically and by skin tests with extracts of house dust. Both contained a polysaccharide associated with a polypeptide grouping of amino-acids giving none of the usual color reactions for proteins. Quantitative and chromatographic tests revealed a similarity in the sugars and amino-acids detected. Both extracts producec the early type of skin reaction. Cotton dust generally produced also a late skin reaction, whereas the house dust did not. The two extracts, therefore, were not identical. Polysaccharide-polypeptide compounds were probably responsible for the early skin reaction. Their source is not known but they I 'r'a* Hvj'-cr.e Digest - 29 Jai .l md after treatment. It improved in 62% of the miners on an aw.-ra.*'* cu 104 cc. The improvement of neurotic conditions present in the mui.u r/.ty of silicotvcs is an essential part of treatment. Rehabilitation as siciii* onispossible in the early stages of the disease. It will be possible ti cuofuder the rehabilitation of patients no longer suitable for work in the r.irjtis-only vhen they have been retrained for other work. - - Cond. from Arch. Ind. Hyg. St-lcnr. idfcd.. Investigation of Silicotic Lungs with the Electron Microscope. >1. aO-iv-g. ScaubNo. 28, 31-33 (Mar. 15, 1952) German, The lower limit of visibility, which is of the order of 0 5' rr.'j-r-r.aji for the light microscope, can be extended to particles 100 timef mruj.'er by the electron microscope. Electron diffraction patterns and cheniuruh re si* mould be used to identify the components of dusts. Digestion o/ lung - >*- jue containing silicotic nodules with concentrated sulfuric acid i.ta sium nitrate yielded platelets showing signs of chemical attack. Git cb* other hand, when the tissues were treated, with hydrogen pero:e^ or washing the tissue below 300* C and digestion with potassium ch^-ruce tir particles were less attacked and gave the electron diffraction pa;^orx uc montmorillonite. Whether the montmorillonite was formed in ti-u Jvjm' ot weathering of mica or whether it already occurred in the airborne i.i.sx mams to be studied. Identical lung residue shows quartz by x-c iy an but montmorillonite under the electron microscope. This is expa-i^i the fact that these minerals occur in different size classes. Bc.h .intirniids should be used. -- Cond. from Buj.. T?vg.. Silicatosis; Etiology, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Treatment. M. A. Kovnatskii and others. Gigiena i Sanit. No. 8, 28-32 Russian. `'JO'.;.. A review is given of the disease caused by particles of' s.. rather than those of the type producing silicosis proper. A stucv ai r.ue disease caused by asbestos particles showed that the chemical .* -w? huAL#-:*vraj) features are increased rate of respiration (compensatory) and L: ir.t level of blood saturation with oxygen is essentially normal, altk:u-.u vir.a.T-n-s in the myocardium are evident on the electrocardiogram. The * mv oi iu..e veins is reduced, and the permeability of capillary walls suffer* k in a considerable number of cases. This affects the oxidative p oc s j as shown by the increase of oxidized glutathione and a decrease ,*' glutathione. -- Ch-m. ums. treated animals dufuse cei i cate cor.nec five tissue, consisting of loosely .<r.;t i-.be : and thm-'^ailec blood vessels, surrounded the silicotic nocuies. In the controls a cellular fringe with fibroblasts suggested that active fibrosis was still pro^res The authors were unable to detect any reduction of collagen in established silico nodules m the treated animals, although further fibroblastic proliferation was apparently retarded. Tins suggests that cortisone will not have any lasting uer.c on the collagen m human silicosis, although it might arrest progression of the lesions while it was being administered. -- Cond. from J. Am. Med. Assn. 23 3 Pulmonary Tuberculosis in the Rhondda Fach: an Interim Report of a Survey a Mining Community. J. G. Cox and T. F. Jarman. Brit. Med. J. 2, 343-653 {Oct. 16, 1 952). . A field experiment was designed to study, in a mining community with a . high prevalence of pneumoconiosis, the effect of reducing tuberculosis infectivit- upon the rate of appearance of progressive massive fibrosis in miners already affected by simple pneumoconiosis. The present report is concerned with the findings of the first roentgenological survey of the adult population. Figures ar. given for the prevalence of tuberculosis by age and sex. The extent of tuberculo is rpparently typical of such areas in the country. About 30% of the miners ana e* -miners had some roentgenological signs of pneumoconiosis; 15% had progrtrs massive fibrosis. All but two patients with infectious tuberculosis were given pital treatment. The number of infectious cases has been reduced by about 60*1 and the patients are all being closely supervised by a health visitor. Future s-. veys will show what effects this reduction will have on the tuberculin positively and on the rate of appearance of new cases of tuberculosis and massive fibrosis -- Cond. from Authors' Summary 28 4 A Clinical and Pathological Study of a Case of Pulmonary Asbestosis. H. Bastemer, H. Denolin, A. Decoster, and R. Denoiin-Reubens. Arch, hel med. sociale, hyg. , med. travail et med. legale 10, 61-70 (Feb. 1952) French. A diagnosis of asbestosis must depend upon a history of occupational exposure to asbestos dust, associated with effects on the respiratory organs. .*. case is reported in which a woman had worked for 25 years weaving asbestos ir. a factory with heavy dust exposure. The symptoms described are typical. The authors compared this case with those of uncomplicated silicosis; in the latter residual air is frequently increased, expiration is prolonged, and the maximum, respiratory capacity is reduced, but hyperpnea is less, rapid breathing is not sc intense, and anoxemia is never so important during effort, as in asbestosis. I differences are stressed as important when necessity may arise in determining the occupational origin of a case with obscure diagnosis. - Cond. from Bull. H-. Hv gier.c Di?est - 21 ' Critical Review of the Chemical Theory of Silicosis. Luise Ho'r-a*rrfe2. Silikose-Forscn No. 15, 1 -19 (1952) German. The solubility theory is first reviewed and reasons are g. -\n n ..i.'.r.ot be maintained in its original form, which says that silicosh .& e to ..ssoived silica. . The main argument is that silicosis requires ya "i. tr develop -r.iie the solubility of quartz drops in the course of days -or week.- A .tzujci- ..'d solubility theory is suggested by the author's published work i.tu tn oe? rcent results with carbohydrates. From plant extracts, afractio: :untucructg -rbohydrate and silica could be isolated, and experiments with l.uca u.tid -ciart .-.cwed specific adsorption of a galactose complex. The galactosi- neci r. quartz still reacts with hydrazine, demonstrating that the aldervdu- rrerip .oes not take part in the reaction with quartz. Next follows a vei\ .upter dealing with the structure of silica-galactose complexes. --fx, is v.ri to contain galactose but there is no evidence on its structure. T.fce : aa- .-r.s reaction can be used to demonstrate quartz in human silicot.r .i.i i:r_, as eil as to demonstrate galactose adsorption on quartz, and a nunhorc cd rzlored '.ustratxons of this effect are shown. Electron micrographs of ioestos after disintegration in water are also shown. - - Cond. from BuT.. Hrg. "-nsirierations on a Case of Progressive Massive Silicosis Follcwm-r Ptst ..mited Exposure. M. Bodo and L. Briccareilo. Rass. med. .me. 21, `.55-258 (May-June 1952) Italian. The authors discuss a case of progressive massive silic; od .mgs which was seen by them in April, 1951. The patient was a .:vm2 w^rk- ir, aged 28, who had been employed, for 2 years only, at chiselr.^' jprimd-stones in 1959-40. Signs and symptoms of silicosis, which are describe?;,, impeared in November, 1950. At the time of the examination, signs and sympcr.cs^s were said to be stationary. Tuberculosis was absent. X-rays showed i gtr-zradized deep and confluent shadow on the lungs, except for clear areas wi.nr. ray have been due to spontaneous pneumothorax or to localized emphysema. 3a, ahe light of this case the authors question the statement that simple pneurrvcam^-sis can be arrested by removing the patient from exposure to dust. "Vr textzency to progress varies with the physico-chemical properties of the dvit izc ;he individual tissue reactivity. As in the case of hepatic cirrhosis, causative agent may start a chain reaction which does not stop progressing -i'-jrT lie cause has been removed. -- Cond. from B--2.. >J-rg. Usefulness of the Photorocnt>?en Method in Silicosis and Asbestos.'; .`rvfsuQ^cions of Workers. E. Zanctti. Rass. mea. ind. 21^, 150-132 -f-o Iis-ian. A comparative study of several tens of thousands of phot, tilms and roentgenograms has produced several interesting concl.;'. znz con cerning investigations of silicosis and asbestosis among workers.. photoroentgen films were found to represent clearly massive siLLc..-; Industrial Hvgiene Digest - 22 Mav, j* asbestosis, and nodular silicosis. In silicosis which is represented by ret;. -T culation,identification is more difficult, but it is still possible in the hands of ** an'expert. The identification of mild or moderate asbestosis is still more difficult. Only a great deal of experience which is integrated with a knowledge of concentrations and exposures of the dust involved makes possible an ir.tel. ligent interpretation of such films. -- Biol. Aosts. 497 Does Silicosis Affect the Silica Content of Human Blood? --"G. Worth and G. Campen. Z. physiol. Chepn. (Hoppe-Seyler's) 288, 155-164 {l 9 5 L >. Certs* The authors determined the silica content of blood of 264 persons, " half of whom were coal miners with various stages of silicosis, using the molj*. denum blue technique. The mean result for the whole group was 8.3 + 2.4 micrograms silica per ml. of blood. Neither sex, different kinds of iHflarr.ma* tory or other diseases, nor silicosis caused any difference in the silica contest of the blood. Tests were also made after ingestion of organic silicon eompouBi* Here a rapid rise of silica content of blood and urine was found, but the blood' silica had dropped to its normal value after 9 hours. The bearing of these find* ings on the silica solubility theory is discussed. If the theory is to be main- tamed,'it must be assumed that the amounts dissolved are too small to be dear strated in the blood or that excretion through the kidneys is too rapid. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 498 Silicotic and Tuberculosilicotic Lesions Simulating Carcinoma. F G. Kergia* J. Thoracic Surg. 24, 545-567 (Dec. 1952). - The appearance of unilateral massive densities in the lungs of eight > men between the ages of 49 and 69 with chroftic pneumonitis has been reported* In each of these patients clinical and radiographic evidence strongly suggest bronchiogenic carcinoma. Five of the eight patients had prolonged exposure to silica-containing dust in various occupations. Five patients were treated hf pneumonectomy, one by lobectomy, and one by thoractomy and biopsies were made. The fundamental feature of the pathological process in this group of y patients was complete or partial bronchial obstruction by pressure of lymph " nodes, which were the site of a chronic inflammatory reaction secondary to * inhalation of silica-containing dust. In five patients the chronic obstructive ' pneumonitis was non-specific, and in three there was an added tuberculous infection. It is suggested that this condition be called ''chronic silicotic lymph** dentis with obstructive pneumonitis (nontuberculous or tuberculous)." The patients are all alive; the six patients treated by excision have been relieved of their complaints. -- Cond. from J. Am. Med. Assn. L~ r stria H er.e est e, ;2=3 $01 Right Ventricular Hypertrophy in the Pneumoconiosis of Coalminers. a7 J. Thomas. Brit. Heart~J.~T3, 1-9 (1951). "' '' A series o 50 hearts from cases of coalminers pneumoconiosis have been dissected and the ventricular weights recorded. The ratio of left ven tricle to right ventricle, LV/RV ratio, shows a great reduction, and there is a consistent relative increase in the weight of the right ventricle. A cardiographic study of 146 persons (normal men, miners and non-miners, and patient* with all stages of pneumoconiosis) has shown that V6 changes most with in creasing severity of lung disorder. In the most severe groups the R wave of V6 is diminished and the S wave is increased *n amplitude. -A suggestion is made that a lead from the third interspace immediately above V2 may help in the diagnosis of right ventricular hypertrophy when it shows an r' wave of 4 mm. or more in height. Certain effects of respiration on the electrocardio gram are described, particularly the respiratory variation of the chest leads on the right side. This is presumed to be a positional change, but some find ings suggest that the mechanism of respiratory variation should be further investigated in relation to respiratory function. -- Author's summary (Bull. Hyg.) 602 Factors Favoring Phagocytosis by Reticulo-Endothelial Cells Early in Inflammation. Edna H. Tompkins and Mary A. Grillo. Am. J. Pathol. 29, 217-231 (March-April 1953). The reticulo-endothelial cells of subcutaneous tissues, the so-called resting-wandering cells, represent active defenders in the first 12 hours of inflammation. They become activated in preparation for phagocytosis by con traction, excretion of fluid from the;r "fluid vacuoles, " and changes in the consistency of their cytoplasm. Once activated, they are aided in making con tact with particulate substances and are supported in "surface phagocytosis" by the movements of the underlying muscles and of the infiltrating ameboid polymorphonuclear cells. They carry the burden of phagocytosis before arri val of the polymorphonuclear cells; and they alone must phagocytose for about 12 hours the many invading substances that are not phagocytosibie by the poly morphonuclear cells. -- Authors' summary 603 Dust Diseases. G. E. Spencer. Bull. Allegheny Co. Med. Soc. 42, 339-391 (April 25, 1953). This brief paper gives advice to family physicians to whom x-ray films from a mass survey have been referred when pneumoconiosis is indi cated. Survey physicians do not attempt to differentiate the dust diseases, merely reporting the findings as "pneumoconiosis." It is the responsibility of the family physician to determine which of these diseases is present, and to decide what should be done. After miliary tuberculosis, carcinomatosis, certain fungus diseases, and siderosis due to organic disease are excluded, the various pneumoconioses must be considered. Anthracosis, silicosis,  V; Hvr. tne Digest - 23 June, .erosis, berylliosis, asbestosis, and the organic dust diseases are dis ced briefly in relation to diagnosis. The importance of personal and occu:or.al history is emphasized. The factors to be considered when deciding :;;ihcr a man should he taken from his job are discussed. Clinical Picture and Pathology oi Asbestosis. W. Behrens, Jr. . Jmalimed. u. Berulkrankh. 4, 129-140 (June 15, 1952); 179-139 15, 1952). German. This paper presents an extensive review of literature on asbestosis c.uding distribution and types of asbestos, its mining, treatment, and use, si hazards, and effects of length of exposure of the dust in different con-.:ration. Symptomatology, diagnosis, and x-ray findings in the different . :es of asbestosis are described. Special mention is made of the association : "Jbestosis with carcinoma, which is much more frequent than that of sill-- Post-mortem reports from the literature indicate that in 309 cases . -sbestosis there were 44 lung carcinomas (14.2%), whereas in 2,204 cases nicosis only 32 carcinomas wer* found (1.4%). The experience of the .ociation of tuberculosis and asbestosis varies greatly in different countries. Gish investigators have recorded a high rate of tuberculous infection in " -*stos workers, but it is a rare complication in America and the rate is low . Germany. The macroscopic and microscopic appearances of the lungs are scribed, and the nature and significance of asbestosis bodies are discussed m. extensive reference list dealing with that controversial subject is given. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. Lung Carcinoma Caused by Asbestos Inhalation. F. Boemke. Med. Monatsschr. 7, 77-31 (1953) German. The relation between fibrotic changes caused by asbestos deposits :n the lung and carcinoma is discussed. The lower lobe is the site of pre dilection. Characteristic are the muitirentcrcd developments of flat i.pi- ti'Uiurn carcinoma. -- Clicm. Absts PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT Dioxide avid Respiratory ReI'uiy-.iol. b, ill) J-uti/ (A).rji I a A) t i ru-h-. p. G. H.iil. i'oufU'rn young men t > a _iinul.klecl .lUiduio of 2.1,000 u-vt 'I (ni.ilurrs, . / i 111 v.'.r^ Ui , .. tc 11hi.. , *i .. ri . u . *i i ui,, . flu. : r <;:. 111'c .. i': l c, " f n ,t;,,i , . i ; , , i .j , t> . I v x'. 11 . r , i r i u t i 1.. i, .t Antimony and thyroxin, effects poisoning in industry 355 356 Arc welding (see welding) A rsenic trioxide exposure in industry 809 Arsine poisoning fatal case from algae prevention 39 1041 1042 Artificial respiration (see resuscitation) A sbestos clinical and pathological study lung cancer from 2S4 605 Asbestosis case pathology studies, miniature films 79 78,604 496 Atmospheric pollution (see air pollution) Atmospheric turbulence measurement 643 Atomic bomb casualties, treatment effects on blood 747 619 Aviation toxicology (bk.rev.) 559 Bacteria and odor control problem 102 Bagassosis. 501 BAL therapy in lead poisoning 361 therapy in thallium poisoning 148,818,819 vs. citrate in lead poisoning 469 Barbers' disease Baritosis, case Beat disorders and staphylococcal infection Benzene and homologues, poisoning blood dyscrasias from factories health of workers metabolism poisoning and erythromyelosis effect on platelets hematology Benzene hexachloride and DDT, toxicity poisoning toxicity 271,485, Benzenemia Berylliosis summary of cases 357 Beryllium determination fluorimetric spec troche mical granuloma treatment cortisone nonsurgical oxide poisoning poisoning, experimental radioisotope distribution and retention toxicity and ACTH Best Years of Your Life (bk. rev.) Blood chango es in industrial disease picture effects of muscle training