Document QX9jZ8e3xZLzGnZ7bqJ3y8DNo

f, 5 t mi?itj i: I] i i1 <> 1 c70 XATION.li. S.ifBI )' .YL1K5 In d u s t r ia l He a l t h ^ Non-Technical Symposium for' Physicians and Laymen By C. O. Sappin g t o n , M. D., Dr . P. H. Director, Industrial Health Division, National Safety Council THE PREVALENCE OF LEAD POISONING The report of the Committee on Lead Poisoning of the Industrial Hygiene Section of the American Public Health Association (given at the Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, October IS, 1926) forms the basis for this article. Statistical Data Production and use of lead in this country is at present more than double that for the year 1000. Because of this increase in lead manufacture, it might be inferred that a correspondingly larger group of workmen are exposed. This is probably not true, however, for those trades which were well established about 1000 and have continued to the present. In 1S90, S,_751 workers produced 20S,46G tons of lead; while in 1025, 6,115 produced 051,000 tons. In 1000 there were 277,511 building trade painters, in 1010 there wen: 273,411, and in 1920 only 2-18,397 (according to census re ports). It is reasonable to believe, then, that the actual number of work men exposed to lead may be less than in 1900 or 1910 in spite of the exten sion of newer trades, represented by automobile storage battery manufac turing and other lines. 1 he committee has accepted as con tributory factors in the assumed low ered incidence of severe or fatal lead poisoning the following: 1. Frequent physical examination of lead workers required by inw in some states, and voluntarily introduced by some industries and labor organiza tions. 2. The recognition of lead poisoning in its early stages, which permits of treatment under ambulatory condi tions, without loss of time from em ployment. 2. The development of improved types of machinery, which permits of "lead processes being enclosed. (Example-- the electrically heated Mergenthaler linotype.! 1. The improvement in substitute paint bases, snch as lithophone, to the point where they are essentially as accept able as white lead or other lead com pounds. 5. Generally better working conditions throughout the lead industries. 6. Shortened exposure periods and short ened work periods. The committee believes that the in cidence of lead poisoning is higher than is commonly believeti or report ed to state departments. The assump tion of a greater incidence of lead poisoning than reported is further borne out by special physical exami nations of those engaged in hazardous lead work. Such investigations com monly reveal large numbers of mild or questionable cases which otherwise probably would never have been di agnosed. The incidence of lead poisoning is not so low at the present time that negligence on the part of industrial medical departments and hygienists is warranted. Compensation Eleven states provide for compen sation and medical relief for workers who have been poisoned: New York, Maryland, Illinois, Wisconsin. North Dakota, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Minnesota, Ohio and California. In certain states which have not provided coverage for occupational diseases, lend poisoning has from time to time been held to be an accident and has, therefore, been adjudged compensable. The committee has maintained that if the practice of providing compen sation and medical relief for industrial injuries is sound, similar measures should be provided for lead poisoning and other characteristic occupational diseases. Laboratory Diagnosis Previously there has been a great deal of research work on the measure ment of lead in the urine and feces of persons not known to have been exposed to lead. Recent research has shown that traces of lead may regu larly be found in the urine or feces of apparently normal persons. The source of such lead is not known; it may include food, food containers, lead foil wrappers, cooking utensils and other sources. * Because of these findings the com mittee has suggested that no great diagnostic significance he attached to the positive findings of lead in the urine, in qualitative amounts only. Such analyses are only valuable roir a diagnostic standpoint when quantity live and when the quantity is found to be in excess of traces common tq practically all apivircntlv norma) persons. < The conclusion of the committee is that load poisoning omiinues to be the outstanding occupational disc as; hazard. NEW PAMPHLETS i * Three new Health Practices Pam phlets, No. 6 on ''Industrial E;x Hazards"; No. 7 on "Carbon Mon oxide'' and N'n. S on "Iniecte'' Wounds'' are just off the press ane ready for distribution. No. fi on "Industrial Eve Hazards contains material on the structure < ? the eve. what happens to it when in jured, and how injuries should In treated. Industrial eye diseases, ther prevention and treatment are also con sidered. N'o. 7 on "Carbon Monoxide" a tains material on the occurrence, chenfc istry, and poisonous effects of early* monoxide. Symptoms of poisoning, physiological e Heels, treatment anf prevention are also considered. Tfr hazard of automobile exhaust gas'jp also set forth. The pamphlet on "Infected Wound* takes up the causes ot infcction,4bt defense against infection and the pre vention and treatment of iniections o* small wounds, particularly of Jfc' hands and fingers. Have you received vour these interesting pamphlets?