Document RadN0n7y7oa929vBmy8GpDMya

sf=3 0o C=3 May, 1966 Volume XXX No. 5 INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE DIGEST Literature and News Industrial Hygiene Foundation 4400 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213 NEWS ITEMS 419 Occupational Disease Claim for MDI. A study was made of the first occupational disease claim for MDI (diphenyl methane diisocyai or methylene bis 4-diphenylisocyanate) induced respiratory sensitivity in Pennsylvania. A s: demonstrator for a safety company sprayed the diisocyanate rigid polyurethane foam in minei and closed buildings over a four-year span throughout Pennsylvania and adjacent states. He hospitalized four times over the past two years for progressive respiratory distress compar; to reported TDI asthma-like attacks. Personal negligence and "normal" respirator slipping his face accounted for his initial exposure and present condition. Since his last symptomatic posure late last year, he still suffers with shortness of breath on exertion. He is under his j sonal physician's care. His chest X-ray revealed pulmonary fibrosis. Treatment consists o intramuscular ACTH, bronchial expectorants, oral and intermittenly inhalant bronchodilatori with use of positive pressure breathing apparatus. The severity of his condition illustrates i peculiar respiratory sensitization of MDI comparable to the substantial number of TDI cases; ously investigated. This salesman definitely is aware of the necessity for no further isocyante posure. -- Occ. HealthNews & Views, Pa. Dept, of Health, Div. Occ. Health, 4, No. 2, 3 (Spring 1 420 Manganese Study--A Summary. In a study of manganese hazard in industry made by the Division of Occupational Health of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, urine manganese has been assayed on 83 exposed employ Of these, 45 had high values. Of 62 manganese-steel industry workers, 35 had high values. 1 6 brick-industry workers, seven had high values. Of five dry-cell battery workers, three ha high values. Sixty-three employees were examined for extra-pyramidal neurological signs, occur in serious manganism. Thirty-six had some findings compatible with some degree of e manganism. Twenty-nine of 46 manganese-steel industry workers, one of five dry-cell batte workers, and five of 12 brick-industry workers had positive findings. There was a definite < relation of manganese air concentrations, urine manganese concentrations, and positive neu rological findings. A more elaborate study probably would show even closer correlation. It believed that a number of instances of significant manganese exposure have been found in this study. A continuous program of control and monitoring of the manganese hazard in Pennsylvi has been established. -- Occ. Health News b Views, Pa. Dept, of Health, Div. Occ. Health, No. 2, 2 ( Spring 1966) 421 Benzene in the Printing Industry. In a recent aeries of inspections in the printing industry, it was discovered that about 30% of Pennsylvania plants inspected were still using a type wash containing benzene. There appear, to be no correlation between the size of the plant and the use of benzene; it was present in bot! small and large plants. One interesting contradiction was noted. Personnel of plants using b< zene were sure that no other solvent could clean satisfactorily, while personnel of plants not < benzene stated that it is too strong, and tended to ruin the rollers. Most of the benzene useri were not initially aware of its hazards, and have since attempted, usually with success, to fii satisfactory less toxic substitute. -- Occ. Health News b Views, Pa. Dept, of Health, Div. O' Health, 4, No. 2, 5 (Spring 1966) 422 Test Could Affect Many Occupations. Workers in more than 50 types of occupations who are exposed daily to carbon disulfide may t aided by a new pretoxicosis test, according to the U.S. Public Health Service. These persons include those producing or working with pesticides, dry cleaning substances, paint, paint re movers, rayon, rocket fuel, vacuum tubes, wax, optical glass, lacquer, iodine, glue, cello phane, explosives, cement, rubber, certain textiles, and various preservatives. -- J. Am. Med. Assn. 195, 39 (March 28, 1966 03122122 1.