Document Nvg8voo6R3o7qonREdj4qgYp

rrry^j X > f *,8 fcT&twl iCMQ*nOM ^ c* **iJ)CA. iwca Vol 1. s FOUNDATION FACTS SA \ : ; November* 1959 V" '`.`r This n*ws*I*tter la Jssart monthly to member companies an<l trade associations affiliated with Air Hygiene Foundation. Its purpose is to report Foundation news and activities. Air Hyclene Foundation is a partnership of Industry and science organised to protect the health of the IS million wafiemifl in hasve industry. QURTH FOUNDATION iiELTIcIG HITS ATTENDANCE HIGH Abstracted Proceedings Attached More than 250 persons attended the fourth fall meeting of air Hygiene' Foundation held here November 14 and 15 -- a new attendance high. Exactly 101 companies, from Massachusetts to Utah, were represented. Also represented by invitation were, U. S. Public Health Service, U.5. Dept, of Labor, labor organizations, half-a-dozen state departments, universities, institutions and individuals interested in the advance ment of employee health. Abstracted proceedings of the meeting are enclosed. .. Virtually all aspects of industrial health were covered, from management* s interest in costs, "O.D." laws and industrial and public relations, to the techni- .' cian*s interest in engineering precautions, absenteeism and fresh medical progress made through Foundatioh researches. The reports were further enlivened by discuss ion from the floor. The discussion of labor*s viewpoint on occupational disease pre- vention was an innovation that proved extremely interesting. V; Two rabbits, with "windows" affixed to their ears, were exhibited by research : U -i specialists from University of Pennsylvania to illustrate medical studies which the Foundation helps support at Penn. 7/ith the aid of a microscope delegates were able ----vi.-. to look through the "window" and see the effects of toxic materials in living tissue. "Soread the Word" Proceedings of the..meeting will be issued later. Lieannhile, in order to speed the material to member companies, comprehensive abstracts arc enclosed for all re ports and addresses presented. It is urged that the fullest benefit be derived from this material. Please route the reports to the various interested departments and _ individuals within your organization. For instance, while all the material presented is of general interest, "The Viewpoint of an Employer Toward Industrial Hygiene," including authoritative cost and profit figures, will be of special interest to top management. The medical and engineering reports will be of special value to plant physicians and engineers. In- dustrial and public relations officials may be interested in discussions in the forum, "impact of Saployee Health on Industrial and Public Relations." The text of Dr. A.J. Lanza's presentation on sic': absenteeism is enclosed. His paper introduced a symposium on the subject in which eight authorities participated. Their discus sions will be included in the printed proceedings. t j \ : I'A ^ 'V* *>' "Cookbook" on X-Ray Nearly Ready V v)\V . 'J ^ v\ \. ` ** y VV. . .A\ new Foundation bulletin will be issued soon giving practical procedures for use of x-ray in physical examinations in industry. This bulletin is the result of research which the Foundation supports at University of Pennsylvania. Dr. ST Reid warren, Jr., summarized the new bulletin. He expressed belief that the report will aid industrial executives, physicians in industry, and roentgenologists. ' \ ` ;;; Al MVCltNt rOUNOATISN 4400 rirxH avfnuc 023S2 i*irT98un" 44 Air Hygiene Foundation 4400 Pifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. November 22, 1939 of America, Inc., KEFLI EWCES TO RECENT LITERATURE ON INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE (A) News Items 786 OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE LEGISLATION OF 1939. U.S. Dept, of Labor, Monthly Labor Review, 49, 156-139 (July 1059). In 1939, three States (Arkansas, Idaho, and Maryland) passed new laws granting compensation for a number of specified diseases contracted in industry. Arkansas compensates for 58 diseases, Idaho for 11 groups, covering 15 or more diseases, and Maryland*s law contains sc list of 34 compensable conditions. Ohio amplified its law to include "any other occupational diseas.e." Minnesota enlarged its list of compensable occupational diseases to include those due to the hazards of fire fighting. The State of Washington amended the basic law of 1957. In claims for silicosis and asbestosis, the worker must have been employ ed in the btato for 2 years prior to the claim and if the inception of the dis ease occurred outside the State, the disease must have been -quiescent and non disabling for 2 years prior to the injurious exposure in the State. For other diseases, the quiescent period is 1 year. The legislature also deleted the pro vision that occupational disease coverage shall be borne equally by employer and employee. New York adopted an amendment providing for'the~extenaion of the 90day period for medical treatment for dust diseases for an additional 180 days and hereafter it need aot be continuous. Pennsylvania enacted a new and compre hensive occupational disease lav;, fixing benefits to be paid, the procedure, etc. for making claims. While the same diseases specified in the old law are covered, the amount of compensation, which previously might be unlimited, is limited to a maximum of f-7500# Montana called upon the Congress of the United States to pro vide benefits for silicotics under the social security law and to provide grants^ in-aid to States compensating for silicosis. A division of industrial hygiene in the State Board of Health was authorised, also the reporting of occupational diseases and inspection of industrial premises. New Hampshire and Oregon author ised appointment of special committees to study advisability of extending cover age to employees contracting occupational diseases. Including the new laws pass ed in 1939, there are now 30 jurisdictions, including District of Columbia, Hawaii, Philiipine Islands and Puerto Rico, compensating for occupational disease 737 CO-.VENSATED INJURIES. The Industrial Bulletin, New York State Dept, of Labor, 18, 347 (October 1939). In, 1938, compensation awards amounting to 747,791 were made in S,366 cases where workers suffered from disabilities caused by exy-osure to or contact with harmful substances or by certain activities involving continuous rubbing, friction, pres sure, and vibration in the course of their employment. These 2,366 disabilities consisted of 325 compensated as accidental injuries and 1,441 compensated as occu pational diseases. '.Then a disability is the result of a single exposure to an injurious substance it is compensated as an accident, usually chemical burns, skin irritations or poisoning. I/hon disability results from exposure to a harm ful substance or occupational activity over a period of time in employment it is compensated as an occupational disease. The 1,441 cases of occupational disease 0 % o 6 3 References to Recent Literature - 2. are divided into 701 cases of dermatitis, 541 cases resulting from continuous rubbing, vibration, pressure or harmful position, 204 cases of systemic poison ings and a miscellaneous group of 19$ cases, including silicosis, other dust dis eases, contagious and infectious diseases contracted in employment, occupational hernias> etc. The average cost of compensation for occupational disease rose from f290 in 1937 to $316 in 1S3Q. The average compensation for cases listed as accidental injuries declined from $355 to $274 a case. 788 \ 'K INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE. A new book by various authors, edited by A.J. Lanza, f'.D., Assistant Medical Director, Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. and Chairman of the Medical Committee, Air Hygiene Foundation of America, and Jacob A. Goldberg, ft.A., Ph.D., Secretary, Industrial Jfcrgiene Committee, New York Tuberculosis and Health Association. This forthcoming volume of approximately 700 pages, with many illustrations, was prepared by tnenty-two writers, each a specialist in his field. Included among this list of contributors are? Dr. C.D. Selby, Consultant to the General Motors Corporation; Dr. Harvey Bartle, Surgical Director of the Pennsylvania Railroad; Drs. E.K. Sayers, Louis Schwartz and U.F. Von Oettingen of the U.S. Public Health Service; Dr. b.J. McConnell, Assistant Medical Director, Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.; Prof. C.E. Turner, Lass. Inst, of Technology; Dr. I. Ogden iVoodruff, Professor of the College of Physicians & Surgeons; Dr. Levels A. Conner and Dr. Foster Kennedy, Professors at Cornell University Medical College; and others equally well known in their respective fields. This volume should be of considerable help to industrial physicians, safety engineers, in surance companies, plant managers, industrial nurses and others concerned with the protection of the health of workers, and- the prevention of accidents and occupational diseases. The publisher is the Oxford University Press, New York. 789 COMPENSATION FOR EXPOSURE TO UIXTU; OF SOLVENTS. Ohio Industrial Commission ; Monitor, 12, 153 (October 1959). -- j An employee of a dry cleaning plant applied for compensation for disability after two days exposure to c solution of carbon tetrachloride and naphtha. The attend- ing physician was of the opinion that the disability was due to the vapors. Al- j though carbon tetrachloride poisoning was not, at the time of the alleged poison- ing, on the list of compensable occupational diseases, the mixture with naphtha j made it possible for the claim to come within the provisions of the Occupational ' Disease Act. The claim was allowed. 790 COMPENSATION AwAAD FOR HEART ATTACK. U.S. Dept, of Labor, Monthly Labor Review, 49, 386-387 (August 1039). The Court of Errors and appeals of New Jersey awarded compensation to a milktruck driver who suffered a heart attack while making deliveries. The deceased *\ employee had been engaged for a number of years as a driver, and on the day of \ the attack was forced to travel steep grades in the snow to make deliveries and i reclaim empty bottles. The court held it was enough to say that an accidental I strain of a heart, even though it was previously weakened, nay be compensable when the accident arose out of and in the course of the employment. (Henty v. Janssen Daily Corp., 6 Atl. (2d) 403). 791 INHALATION OT STONE DUoT HELD LEhbGWAL I. JULY. U.S. Dept, of Labor, Monthly Labor Review, 49, 673-680 (September 1359). The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts has held th-t the accumulation< granite dust in the lungs of a stonecutter during the course of his employment constitutes a personal injury, under the State Eorknen's Compensation Act, when causing incapacity to work. In upholding the award of the industrial accident board, the court pointed out that the employee's condition ''resulted not from a single incident but from years of work performed under conditions that were open and obvious and known to the employer." (Gustafson's Case, 21 N.E. (2d) 961). 01J 6 References to Recent Literature - 3. 792 'LIST OF RESPIRATOR! PROTECTIVE DEVICES APPROVED 5! THE BUREAU OF MINES. H.H.. Schrenk, U.S. Bureau of Mines, Information Circular Wo. 7050 (Fourth Supplement) (October 25, 1939). See Hay 1939 Abstract Bulletin No. 344 for previous approv als. SCHEDULE 14D--GAS MASKS. Type A.-- Acid Gas Masks. 2. Acme Chlorine Gas Mask. Approval BM-1421, issued to Acme Protection Equipment Go., Inc., April 21, 1939. 3. M.S.A. Chlorine Gas Masks. Approval EM-1422, issued to Mine . Safety Appliances Co;, Hay 26, 1939. Type B.-- Organic Vapor Masks. 5. Willson Organic Vapor tiask. Approval EH-1423, issued to Willson Products, Inc., October 6, 1939. SCHEDULE 19A--SUPPLIED-AIR RESPIRATORS. typfc B.-- Special Hose Masks without Blowers. 2. Bullard Simplex Hose Mask. Approval EM-1916, issued to E.D. Bullard Co., October 14, 1939. SCIIEDULE 21 --MECHANICAL-FILTER RESPIRATORS. type A.-- Pneumoconiosis-Producing or Nuisance Dusts. 18. Dupor Skin-A-Cat Respirator No. 40. Approval BM-2129, issued to H.S. Cover, July 5, 1939. 19. M.S.A. Comfo Respirator, Approval BH-2130, issued to Mine 20. Safety Appliances Co., August 23, 1939. McDonald Dustfoe Respirator. Approval BM-2132, issued to 21. B.F. McDonald Co., August 23, 1939. Dustfoe Respirator. Extension of approval BM-2132, issued to Mine Safety Appliances Co, August 23, 1939. Type A and Lead Dust. ' -- 7. M.S.A, Comfo Respirator. Approval EM-2133, issued to Mine 8. Safety Appliances Co., October 13, 1939. McDonald Dustfoe Respirator. Approval BM-2134, issued to B.F. McDonald Co* October 13, 1939. 9. Dustfoe Respirator. Extension of approval BM-2134, issued 'type B.- to Mine Safety Appliances Co., October 13, 1939. Fumes. 1. Willson Respirator No. 770. Approval ELi-2128, issued to Willson Products, Inc., April IS, 1939. type C.- Mists. 3. M.S.A. Uoisfo Respirator. Approval Bu-2130, issued to Mine Safety Appliances Co., August 23, 1939.* 4. McDonald Dustfoe Respirator. Approval BM-2132 issued to B.F. McDonald Co., August 23, 1959.* 5. Dustfoe Respirator. Extension of approval BM-2132 issued to Mine Safety Appliances Co., August 25, 1939.* *For protection against chromic acid mist and mist from vitreous enamels whose liquid vehicle does not produce harmful gases or vapors. This approval does not cover the use of this respirator against lead-containing mist. 793 DISABLING HORBIDITT AiiONG INDUSTRIAL WORKERS, SECOND QUARTER AND FIRST HALF OF 1939. v:.M. Gafafer. U.S. Pub. Health Reports, 54, 1870-1880 (October 20, 1939). The records show a large difference in frequency rates of influenza and grippe for 1958 and 1939, the latter year being almost twice that of the former. Both the rates for non-respiratory and nervous system diseases show a very interest ing downward trend. 0 4.3 6 5 References to Recent Literature - 4. 794 CANCER HELD COiiPENSABLE UNDER NET! JERSEY LAW* U.S. Dept. of Labor, Monthly Labor Review, 49, 387 (August 1939). The New Jersey Court of Appeals and Errors held that although a cancer which developed from & mole on the instep of a worker could not be considered an occu pational disease under the State Workmen*s Compensation Law, nevertheless such a condition could establish an accidental injury within the meaning of the act. The employee operated a machine used in manufacturing building blocks out of ashes, sand, and cement. In the course of this work a certain amount of the in gredients got into his shoes and irritated a mole on his left foot which later developed into a malignant cancer. The referee found that the condition result ed from an occupational disease and therefore was not compensable under the Work men1 s compensation law. The Court of Errors and Appeals disagreed, pointing out nit is not necessary that an accidental injury, in order to be compensable, be the result of traumatic force." (Bollinger v. Wagaraw Bldg. Supply Co., 6 Atl. (2d) 396). 795 INVESTIGATION OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, SAFETY LALFS AND GAS DETECTORS FOR SAFETY. L.C. Ilsley. U.S. Bur. of Mines, Information Circular Ho. 7087, (September 1939). Obtainable from the Supt. of Documents, Washington, D. C. This is a list of regulations governing the investigations for safety or elec trically operated mine equipment, safety lamps, and gas detectors. (B) Papers on Dust. Dust Diseases and General Industrial Hygiene. 796 INDUSTRIAL RAY PROTECTION/ L.S. S'eylor. Am. Soc. Test. Materials Bull. No. 99, pp. 23-31 (August 1939). The tolerance dose recommended by the International Protective Commission is to not more than 10-5 roentgens per second for a 7 hour day* JDesigns for barriers are given. 797 TREATMENT OF INDUSTRIAL BURNS UITH REPORT OF 350 CASES. H.Poyner. Am. J. Surg., . 42, 744-749 (1938). The treatment used for industrial burns is described. The author* s experience shows that a less than average economic loss resulted. 798 HEAT STROKE, ITS PATHOGENESIS. L. Derobert. Arch, des mal. prof., 2, 5-23 (1939). (French). Animal experiments revealed heat stroke produced tissue changes similar to those of anaphylactic shock. 799 EXAMINATION OF COTTON MILL WORKERS. U. Thiry. J.Am.Med.Assoc., 113. 1047 (September 9, 1939). (Belgian) Hypertrophy of the lymph glands and high blood pressure is common among young cotton mill workers. Hypotension is uncommon and among the older workers pulmonaiy sclerosis is frequent in occurrence. 800 THE HYGIENIC ASPECTS OF -TEDDING. F.H. deBalsac and Leroy, Arch, des mal. prof. 2, 225-246 (May 1939). (Special Number). (French). Much of the danger involved in welding with oxy-acetylene is due to the impur ities present in the commercial gases. Phosphine nay be present in acetylene and the nitrogen in commercial o>ygen nay be oxidized at the high temperatures to nitrous oxide. Coated electrodes in electric welding are helpful in the pre vention of nitrogen fixation. Other health hazards of welding and brazing are discussed. References to Recent Literature - 5. 301 LtfnOTIiiENT IK GENERAL HEALTH THROUGH INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE. Ohio Industrial Hyg iene Bulletin, 1, No. 6 (September 1359). Although tuberculosis as a cause of death in the general population has fallen from first pleee in 1910 to seventh place in 1953, it still remains among the chief causes of mortality in th* industrially employed. A study ty the American College of Surgeons showed that the average worker loses fifteen times as much time from work ns a result of non-industrial accidents and illness as he does from injuries incurred at his work. Industrial absenteeism is responsible for economic loss to the employer and the state as well as the worker. 802 HEALTH AND SAFETY IN A laODEiU: FACTORY, The Foundry 67, 22-27 (November 1959). A photographic record of the various steps in the entire.employee health program and some of the features of safely work in a Muskegon, Michigan foundry. 805 HAZARDS IN THE CEMENT INDUSTRY. Occupational Hazards, 2, 10 (October 1339). Studies iu the cement industry have shown that a fibrosis can be produced after a long exposure. However, this effect is negligible compared to its irritant effect caused by chemical action. The types of disability encountered are irri tation of the respiratory tract, "burning" of the skin, conjunctivitis, clogging of the ear and various rheumatic conditions. Morbidity and mortality rates for respiratory diseases, and especially pneumonia, are very high. All of these affections respond very definitely to the proper preventive measures. 804 CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF PNEUMOCONIOSIS FROLi LAMP BLACK. 0. Hubner. Arch, f. Gewerbepath. 9, 426-434 (1939). (German) .' This illustrates the danger of depending on the occupational history as given by the patient. This man claimed to have no other dust exposure than lamp black and hence, the diagnosis at death was "anthracosis," Autopsy revealed extensive silicosis of both lungs and further investigation into the man's history showed that he had worked in a china factory for eleven years. 805 THE PRESENT STATUS OF SILICOSIS. A.J. Lanza. Ohio State Medical Journal, 35. (September 1339). This is a summation of the problem of silicosis. The general statistics, pre vention, etiology and diagnosis of this condition are ably discussed. One of the important defects in our information on this disease is the lack of definite mortality statistics. A few states require reporting of cases of occupational disease but this procedure is not uniform, when it is considered that estimates of the number of workers exposed to silica dust vary from 500,000 to a million, it can be seen that this is a problem of no mean proportion. The physiological relationship of silica and tuberculosis is but partially understood but practic ally it is of the highest importance as is borne out ty evidence of the high death rate from tuberculosis among those exposed to silica dust. The importance of evaluating working conditions in the diagnosis of silicosis cannot be over emphasized. It prevents both the unjustified and the missed diagnosis. Estima tion of disability should not entirely be governed by examination of the x-ray. The author feels that silicosis as a cause of heart disease has been overexagger ated. 806 SILICOSIS I`< THE NETHERLANDS. J.Am.Med.Assoc., 113> 154 (September 2, 1930). (Netherlands Letter). In a group of nearly 250 sand v/orkors, more than half of whom had worked at the occupation less than three years, 20 showed signs of pulmonary trouble. Thirtythree had definite silicosis and 8 silico-tuberculosis. In 12, silicosis was doubtful and one had pulmonary tuberculosis. o lj g 7 References to Recent Literature - 6. 807 DYSPMl& OF SILICOSIS; \/HAT CAUSES IT. L.G. Cole and T.G. Cole. J.Am.Wed. Assoc., U5, 1216-1221 (September 23, 1939). Although the outstanding sywpton of silicosis, dyspnea has not hitherto been accounted for by recognized pathologic changes. It is often absent in cases of marked nodulation and is, on the other hand, often present in indefinite nodulation. It has been theoretically explained ty two pathologic factors: (1) nodulation and (2) alveolar consolidation. To these, the authors add capillary obstruction and dilatation. They were led to this conclusion by consideration of the acute manifestation of the disease. Unlike most diseases, which can be recognized ty morbid changes in small sections, silicosis presents a vast var iety of tissue alterations in various parts of the lung. 308 anthralosis or htlsonah tuberculosis of coal miners iu he; south vales, c. Eadham. Arch, des mal. prof., 2, 1-4 (1959). (French). Among those coal miners, incapacity was caused by emphysema in most of the cases. Tuberculosis was uncommon. The nodules were not as hard as those found in sili cosis. The author raises the question whether these changes are produced by coal alone or constitute a silicosis modified by carbon. 80S SILICOSIS FR0& SILICEOUS CHALK. K* Humperdinck. Dtsch. Arch. f. kiln. Ked., 184. 156-162 (1939). (German). Throe men worked for 10-14 years cleaning wool with "Heuberger" siliceous chalk, a hydrous form of opal containing S6y4 silica. X-rays showed light to medium lung changes, indistinct lung shadows but no nodules. 310 EXAMINATION OF A CHROillUM-SILICOTIC LUNG. E. Letterer. Arch. f. Gewerbepath., 498 (1939). (German). Post-mortem examination of the lungs of a sandblaster in a"ferro-chromium depart ment revealed not only typical silicotic changes but diffuse enlargement of alveolar septa and an unknown form of interstitial and alveolar chronic penumonia. It i3 the author* s opinion that these latter conditions are due to breathing the chromic oxide. \ 811 CENTRAL MINING- RAND MINES GROUP. HEALTH DEPARTS. NT REPORT FOR THE I EAT; 1938. A.J. Orenstein. Johannesburg, (1939). South Africa. A decrease in the number of cases of silicosis is said to be of no significance in this report since the rates fluctuate from year to year. Experimental work showed that ozone had a deleterious effect on the general metabolism, raising the blood sugar, uric acid and non-protein nitrogen and reducing urinaiy output. An increase in working efficiency resulted when natives, working at depths of 5100-7000 feet, were given a phosphate sugar syrup to bring up to normal the deficiency in their blood. This aids the carbohydrate metabolism preventing ketosis. 312 HEALTH INJURY FKOiu INDUSTRIAL LUST. 0. Schulz. Gasnaske 11, 57-66 (1959). (German). This article describes silicosis in a carpenter using sandpaper, lung cancer in men using chromates, and changes similar to a.sbestosis in the lungs of a man working with glass wool. 813 TECHNIC IN EXPERIMENTAL SILICOSIS AHD INVESTIGATION Oii THE VALUE OF THE TP.AC-IEAL CATHETER It; STUDYING THE EFFECT OF DUST ON THE LUNGS. C. Haeslund. Arch. f. Gewcrfcopath., JD, 414-4.25 (1933). (German). Dust blown into the bronchi by means of a catheter produces a greater reaction than dust inhaled in a chamber. 0 L ki e 8 References to Recent Literature - 7. 814 ATMOSPHERIC CORTAlilNATION. A.H. Pfund. Science 90, 526-27 (October 6, 1939). A preliminary report on physical methods of determining concentrations of cer tain gases and vapors when admixed .with atmospheric air. Only those compounds such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, etc., having characteristic absorption bands in the infrared can be evaluated. The apparatus showed high sensitivity and selectivity. 815 THE SAMPLING OF MINE DUSTS WITH THE THERMAL PRECIPITATOR. H.S. Patterson. Inst. Min. & Uetall. Bulletin Wo. 417 (June 15, 1939). (British). It has been claimed that the thermal precipitator has an efficiency of 100$ against all dust particles between 0.2 and 20.0 microns in size. It.has not been used to ary great extent in industry in this country and its possibilities have not been fully explored. In Great Britaih it seems more popular. This is a description of an improved form of portable sampler for mining, of methods of sampling and examination of dust records. 816 CERTAIN DUSTS PRODUCED BY MIRING PROCESSES AMD III OTHER HAYS. H.S. Patterson. Inst. Min. &UetaJLl., London, Bulletin No. 417 (June 1939). (British). Drilling in hard rock tends to form more small particles than drilling in soft rock. In diy drilling many ofthe finer particles coagulate, but in wet drilling much fine dust may be obtained. 817 EVALUATION OF DUST STUDIES. Ohio Industrial hygiene Bulletin 1, Wo. 6 (Septem ber 1939). It is generally conceded that a concentration of dust exceeding 100,000,000 par ticles per cubic foot is undesirable regardless of the physiological properties of the material. Such a condition constitutes a nuisance and may be deleterious to equipment and machinery as well as the worker. According to present standards a concentration of two to three million particles pex* cubic foot may be consider ed safe regardless of the fibrosis producing character of tKe dust. Intermediate between these figures are numerous threshold limits for various compositions. 818 REDUCING FLY-ASH EMISSION. J.F. Barkley. Power Plant Engineering, pp.745-47 (November 1939). A comprehensive review of the simple and proprietary devices available for com bating this ever increasing nuisance. In this article the proprietaiy devices have been largely eliminated to form what may* be called an introduction to the science of dust collection. The simple devices described are in general appli cable to the smaller plant for the elimination of the heavier particles. 819 RECENT ADVANCES IN DUST SEPARATOR DESIGN. Engineering and Boiler House Review 53, 207-211 (October 1939). A description of the Howden centrifugal dust collectors, equipment for the Velox boiler, the Hodave dust arrester and a brief survey of other designs. 820 DETERMINATION OF BENZENE HYDROCARBONS IN LA&.UEF: SOLVENTS. F.X. 'dayex and A. Lussczak. Arch. f. Hyg., 122. 98-137 (1939). (German). A useful method in two steps for the analysis of lacquer solvents. Hie authors show how the benzene lost in separating the water soluble portion may be evalu ated. The cyclic compounds are tested by absorption-spectro analysis. 821 CONTINUOUS REGISTRATION OP CARBON MONOXIDE HEMOGLOBIN IX TUI- CIRCULATING BLOOD. K. Hatthes and E. Gross. Arch. f. exp. Pathol, u. Piwrmakol., 191. 391-406 (1939). (German). An ingenious method utilizing the difference in the light adsorption of blood in the red and ultra-red'part of the spectrup for continuous and simultaneous re cording of CO-Hb, Oxy-Hb and reduced Hb by means of a photoelectric cell. , References to Recent Literature - 8. 822 VALUE OF .JJANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF CARBON UONOXIBE FOR LEGAL EXPERTS AND FOR THE CLINICAL INVESTIGATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. L. Breitenecker. Tiien. klin. T/chnschr., 52, '186-439 (1959). (German). Accurate diagnosis can be aided if the blood is examined as soon as possible since carbon monoxide disappears within 10-24 hours. Ordinary technic will not detect less than ZS% CO-Hb, but the spectrophotometer will show ns little as Z%, Symptoms begin in carbon monoxide poisoning when the CO-Hb is from 15-25/0 and unconsciousness at 50$. 825 DETDfilldATION- OF LEAD BY CXXKIZONE, MODIFICATIONS AND IwPilOVSiENTS OF HUBLARD-CLIFrORIKHCHbiAN METHOD AS APPLIED TO BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL. K. Bambach. Indust. Eng. Chem., Anal, &d., 11, 400-403 (July 15, 1959). Hydro^laraine used in the initial extraction prevents oxidation of the dithisone and eliminates the second extraction step of the Hubbard method. Other improvements and eliminations have been devised with saving of time and without loss of accuracy. 324 SPECTROSCOPIC ANALYSIS OF BIOLOGICAL FLUIDS FOR HEAVY METALS. Armstrong and Brackett. J.Ind.Hyg. & Toxicol., 21, 448-460 (November 1339). Spectroscopic analysis by sensitive line emission has veiy decided advantages, namely, the small sample required for an analysis, and the extremely small amount of material detectable. However, biological spectroscopy has presented consider able difficulty heretofore. This article describes in detail a satisfactory technique, together with certain observations. It was found possible to use as small a quantity as 0.1 cc. of fluid and to detect veiy minute amounts of lead and other heavy metals. 825 CALIBRATION aND USE OF THE GAS IHTITJEROHETEK.. F.A. Patty. J.Ind.Hyg., & Toxicol., 1, 469-474 (November 1S39). * The- interferometer may be used in industrial hygiene to quantitatively determine any gas or vapor having a refractivity sufficiently different from that of air. Being more portable, more accurate and more rapid than other physical means, it has obvious advantages and, in the authors1 opinion has not received the popu larity it deserves. Its disadvantages -- the removal of interfering substances and the partial sorption of certain vapors -- are also inherent in most methods. A simple method of calibration and simplified data for the computation of vapor- in-air concentrations for 40 compounds are presented, 826 THE PRESENCE OF NON-OXYGEN-COI.DINING (INACTIVE) HEMOGLOBIN IN THE BLOOD OF NOR MAL INDIVIDUALS. Warburg. Science 90, 572-75 (October 0, 1959). It has been found that in certain normal individuals there is a not inconsider able amount of a ind of hemoglobin capable of binding only carbon monoxide. Out of 82 examinations, about two thirds showed less than 5# of the total hemo globin; in only four cases did it exceed left. According to these findings, the so-called active ojygen fixation power must be considered a very unreliable measure for the amount of hemoglobin. The oxygen capacity is not recommended in the standardising ofcolorimetric hemoglobinometers. (C) Pacers on Industrial Poisons. Cancer. Dermatitis, etc. 827 ACCIDENTS'CAUSED El COLD TARRINC- OF BOILERS. E. Martin. Ned. du Travail, 11, 81-85 (1939). (French). Evaporation of benzene, the solvent used in cold tarring, proves hazardous in unver.tilated boilers. This is a report of two non-fatal cases. 0L370 ***** IMMMMi i.,, i mi i yjqjii References to Recent Literature - 9. 828 The following five articles on benzene are presented in the October 1939 issue of the Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology, Vol 21. They have been bound in monograph style and may be obtained for 1*00 from the Journal at 55 Shattuck St., Briton, Mass. CHRONIC EXrOSURTTO BLHhEHE ( BENZOL). I. THE INDUSTRIAL ASPECTS. rA. Bov/ditch and H.B. Elkins, pp. 321-350. II. THE CLINICAL ASPECTS. F.T. Hunter, pp. 331-354. III. THE PATHOLOGIC RESULTS. T.B. Mallory,E.A.Gall and U.J. Brickley. pp. 355-393. BER2ENE (BENXOL) POISONIKG IN THE ROTOGRAVURE PRINTING INDUSTRY IN HEU YORK CITY. L/Greenburg, M. R. r&yers, L. Goldwater and A.h, Smith, pp. 395-420. TkS HEMATOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF BEN2ENS (BENZOL) POISONING. Lrfand Rhoads, pp. /421-455. \/ The importance of correlating clinical symptoms, blood examinations, and air analyses cannot be stressed too much. One should not be used to predict the ex tent or effects of the others. On the one hand, the potential hazard may be great while not giving evidence of physiologic effect on the workmen, while on the other, the limitations of the clinical test may not completely reflect the actual hazard. The urine sulfate test, for example, is limited in measuring ex cessively high exposures to benzene. Also a very low ratio, such as 1C%, Indi cates an exposure only l/Z as great as that of 30% and only twice as great as does a ratio of 50%. With two fatal cases exposed to less than 75 p.p.m. and reasoning that benzene may attack the bone marrow before being rendered innocuous ty the liver, a reduction in the accepted safe concentration is advocated. Al though the various writers disagree as to the most sensitive index of the effects of benzene, ohe favoring the decrease in polynuclear percentage, the others a diminution in the number and increase in the size of ezythrocytes,the evidence seems to show that decreased erythrocyte counts together nith leucopenia and absolute polynuclear decrease are signs of more severe poisoning. A combination of leucocyte and erythrocyte count together with a cell volume determination shows an efficiency of over 90% in detecting affected individuals. Macrocytosis should always be looked upon with suspicion. Fatal results may be expected un less diagnosis is made before anemia develops. Uomen do not seem to be more sus ceptible than men and tolerance to this exposure does not appear to develop. The fact that the signs and symptoms of chronic poisoning cay not appear until long after the exposure has ceased is probably due to a compensated bone marrow break ing down with the onset of even slight infections. This probability, together with the possible causal relationship of benzene with acute leucemia, raises new problems in industrial compensation. 829 TOXIC FUMES -- IH MASSACHUSETTS INDUSTRIES. H.B. Elkins. Industrial Medicine, 8, 426-432 (October 1939). A very useful and complete table of the maximum allowable concentrations of in dustrial vapors, fumes and gases has been compiled ty the Massachusetts Dust and Fume Code Committee. Values have been proposed for some 40 substances present in typical industrial atmospheres. The average exposure throughout the day or week and not the momentary exposures has been primarily considered. Of more practical interest is the data on actual concentrations as found by surveys of industrial plants. A definite improvement in the extent to which hazards have been eliminated has been observed; a decrease of from 47% to 31% of unsafe con centrations being noted in one year. 330 FATAL SUBACUTE OCCUPATIONAL LEAD POISONING, n. Rhrhardt. Arch. f. Gewerbepath., 9, 407-413 (1359). (German). Fatal case of a lead .sprayer after relatively short intermittent exposures. Autoosy showed liver and kidney dhmage. 0 ,f, J, 7 1 References to Recent Literature - 10. 821 POSSIBILITIES OF CONTROL OF LEAD FXPOSUBE BY EXAMINING LEGS THAN 24 HOUR URINE SAriPLES* E.C. Barnes. J. Ind. Hyg. St Toxicol., 21, 464-468 (November 1939). Difficulties involved in obtaining 24 hour samples of urine for analysis of lead stimulated an investigation into the correlation between short time or instan taneous specimens and those for the longer period. It was found that a determin ation of the lead excreted per hour, as found ty analyzing a specimen represent ing 2 or 3 hours* excretion during the working day, gives a fairly reliable measure of the average excretion for that day. No widely divergent values were obtained provided urine specimens of extremely low specific gravity were not used. 852 VOLATILISATION OF LEAD BELOV; 800U. Paul F. Rezin and Philip Drinker. J. Ind. Hyg. St Toxicol., 21, 461-463 (November 1939). Curves are given which show the amounts evolved of lead and linotype metal with rises in temperature. Although lead boils at 1620C., it was found that signi ficant amounts of lead were carried off from the molten baths at temperatures be low 8C0C. e 833 LEAD TETRAETHYL AS AH ANTI-KNOCK. Ssczepanski. Arbeitsschutz, pp. 209-216 (1939). (German). The German regulations governing the use of tetraethyl lead are very similar to those in force in America. It must be colored and used only for a motor fuel. 834 GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, ESPECIALLY DISTURBANCE OF THE INTESTINES, III LEAD POISON ING. H. Otto and F. Kuhlmann. Klin. VJchnschr., 18, 1081-1084 (1939). (German). Lead has an extensive effect on the gastrointestinal system from the mouth to the large intestine. It causes permanent contraction of the arterial capillari.ee of the skin and mucous membrane of the lips. Spasms ofjthe^ small intestine can cause colic and ileus. 855 OXYGEN CONSUMPTION OF BONE uAREOU IN LEAD POISONING. S. Caccuri. Folia med., 25, 554-541 (1939). (Italian). . The oxygen consumption of bone marrow in lead poisoned guinea pigs was over twice that in healthy animals. Thi3 is thought to be a change in the reaction of normoblasts. 836 FATAL ACCIDENT FROM NITROUS GAS. T7. Krauland. Uien. klin. Nchnschr. 52, 493-95 (1939). (German). A description of the gross and microscopic changes in the lungs in this fatal case of nitrous poisoning resulting from dipping brass articles into nitric acid. Nitric acid was found in the lungs but also seems to be present in normal lungs. 837 SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SAFETY IN MINES RESEARCH BOARD, 1938. H. bU Stationeiy Office, London, (1939). (British). Experimental studies of the concentration of nitrous fumes after shot-firing in underground workings led to the finding that exposures as low as 0.0015^ of nitrous oxide caused inflammation in lungs of guinea pigs. Noise reduction at air-turbine engines and application of exhaust silencers to pneumatic picks is being studied. Tests of gas absorption canisters revealed that leakage of carbon monoxide was less than a liter in 4 hours, with a mixture of carbon monoxide and air flowing at the rate of 32 liters per minute. 838 POISONING FROif LEAD TETRAETHYLENE BENZINE (LEAD GASOLINE) AND ITS COMBUSTION PRO DUCTS. E. Starring. Dtsch. Ztschr. f. Nervenhcilkund., 148. 262-281 (1939) (German). Report of two cases of lead poisoning resulting from use of leaded gasoline in cleaning machinery and other exposures to its vapors. t References to Recent Literature -11. 859 VITAMINS IN INDUSTRY. K. T. Bisbce. Porcelain Institute Enameling Forum. Ohio State University. Visual purple* a substance in the retina which is indispensable in vision, is regenerated by vitamin A. Light, falling on the retina which corresponds to the film, gradually changes the visual purple into another substance. On the effi ciency of this change depends the sensitivity of the eyes. With these facts be fore them the managers of the Eestinghonse plant in Mansfield, Ohio, decided over, tiro years ago to administer vitamin A wherever there was marked eye fatigue. 840 SERIOUS CHANGES OF THE LIVER FROM ACUTE POISONING U "METALLISING" It* A TANK. J. Adler-Herzmark. Arch, des mal.orof., 2, 24-28 (1939). (French). Toxic impurities in acetylene and spray coating with zinc produced this intoxi cation showing a light jaundice and glycenia. 841 PROGRESSIVE BULBAR PARALYSIS AilD AISIOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS AFTER CHRONIC MANGANESE POISONING. H. Voss. Arch. f. Gewerbeoath., 9, 454-476 (1939). (German). Fifteen years exposure to manganese dioxide produced a case of lateral sclerosis modified by certain aspects of manganese poisoning. 842 THE OCCURRENCE OF OCCUPATIONAL MANGANESE POISONING IN THE STEEL INDUSTRY (APROPOS OF A CASE IN A GRINDER OF Fj2PaiO-lii^GAliESE.) H. Voss. Arch. f. Gewerbepath., 9, 455-463 (1959). (German)* A list of all published material on manganese poisoning is given. A typical case of a grinder of ferro-mang&nese, exposed to the dust resulting therefrom, is described. 843 SERIOUS MANGANESE POISONING AMONG EGYPTIAN MANGANESE MINERS. E.fl. Baader. Arch, f. Gewerbepath., 9j 477-486 (1939). (German). With the introduction of mechanical drilling, manganese poisoning developed in a very short time (3 weeks to 5 months). During the period of hand drilling, the disease appeared only after several years exposure. 844 THE CONCENTRATION OF CARCINOGENIC liATERIALS IN MINERAL OILS BI DISTILLATION PROcesses. J Mi. Twort and R. Iyth. J. Ind.Hyg. & Toxicol., 59. 161-169 (March 1929). The carcinogenic properties of mineral oils can be predicted by examination of their physical characteristics. Pathological changes in the organs are produced mostly by the middle fractions of Borneo crude oil. The development of lung tumors by a fraction has no relation to its cancer-producing effect on the skin. 845 POOD SMOKE AS A CAUSE OF ASTHMA. B.^. Rapoaport and S. Hecht. J.Aa.Med.Assoc., 115. 1024 (September 9, 1939). Although negative to skin tests with wood smoke extract, a fireman was subject to attacks of asthma shortly after an exposure. At other work, he proved free fromthis condition until an emergency required his entrance into a burning build ing. 846 CENTRAL A^OTRtilAS: EXTRAKENAL URE.IA OBSERVED IN THE COURSE OF INTOXICATION KITH ILLUMINATING GAS. R.S. Mach and K. Navilie. Schweiz, mod. Hchnschr. 69. 553556 (June 17, 1939). (German). . In patients with a nervous disorder and azotemia, it should not be concluded that the brain lesion is necessarily secondary to that of the kidneys. The azotemia may be of central origifa ;*ith or without nephritis. The emphasis in carbon mon oxide poisoning has generally been on the cerebral effects but tills article throws an interesting light on its effects on protein metabolism. .'P *a. c V< *< References to Recent Literature - 12. 847 POISONING BST COMMERCIAL PROPANE, ft. Gueffroy. Gasmaske H, 69-72 (1939). (German) Propane escaping through the improper fittings of burners affected five women. Their symptoms were headache, numbness, chilly feeling and vomiting. 848 OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES AFFECTING ENGRAVERS. Uytdenhoef. J.Am.Med.Assoc., 115. 1047-1048 (September 9, 1959). (Belgium.) Hazardous exposures of the engraving and photoengravure trades are due to elec tric arc radiation, acid vapors, and the skin effects of numerous chemicals, mostly turpehtine and the chromates* 849 CONTRIBUTION TO OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE OCULAR CHANGES INDUCED BY HYDROGEN SULPHIDE. H. Sjogren. Acta. Opth, 17, 166 (1939), (Scandinavian). This is a report of two cases of keratitis in paper mill workers together with a review of the literature. 850 INDUSTRIAL SKIN DISEASES. OBSERVATIONS IN CENTRAL GERMANE. T. Gruneberg. Med. Klin., 35, 808-811 (1959). (t'enan). In this study of industrial dermatitis, almost a third were caused by turpentine . or its substitutes. In making skin tests, the actual material from the workshop should be used. 851 OCCUPATIONAL LEUKODERMA. (PRELIMINARY REPORT). E.A. Oliver, L. Schwartz and L.H. Darren. J.Am.Med.Assoc., 115. 927-928 (September 2, 1939). This is the first report in the literature of depigmentation of the skin produc ed by hydroquinone. Used as an antioxidant in rubber gloves, it produced a mark ed effect on hand and arms of workers, especially negroes. Repigmentation has been taking place since this antioxidant was eliminated from the rubber. 852 A TOXICOLOGICAL STUD? OF THE PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS OF SPECIAL STEELS. R.Fabre and M.E. Kahane. Arch, des mal. prof., 269-283 (Special No.) (Kay 1939). (French), This is a review of the toxicology of the metals coming into more extensive use in the production of special steels. The properties and effects of nickel, chromium, manganese, silicon, tungsten, molybdenum, cobalt, vanadium and titan ium need reconsideration. 853 7/ELDIKG HAZARDS. C.A. Bonner. Safety Engineering 78> 31-32 (October 1939). There are three general classes of respiratory hazards from welding: poisonous substances which may be volatilized by heat, poisonous gases which may be gener ated by the arc or by faulty combustion, and exhaustion of oxygen in air. Care must also be used to protect welders against dangerous infra-red and ultra-vio let rays.