Document bBGLv189NByZQbyL582yymqjk

> * ---- - ---- > RA^STRONO to trot-rxxtnraT A-- This is this final report of the Industrial hygiene Section for 1936, including figures for December. .'> r. V. " o f O ~ v<r/ y/- `- v-j ?/7? AMNPAL REPORT at tha ITOIISTOTIL HEALTH SgCTXQI . MsCflaMll, !. Assistant Medical Director PBBSOHHEL OF SUIT Dr. V. J. McConnell, Assistant Medical Director* Director* Industrial Health Section liiss Eleanor B&ntonl* Research Assistant Miss Anna Beilly* Secretary to Dr. McConnell Miss Anne Conway* Stenographer Mr. J. 1m. Fehnel* Chenist-in-Charge of Industrial Hygiene Laboratory Mr. Peter Petrick* Technician Mr. John J. Perry* Assistant Chenist Mr. Austin Long* Assistant Chenist Mr. John Milssnick, Porter in the laboratory MAJOR SUM, The survey of the asbestos plants and mines started in 1934 has been ooncluded during 1936. This included a reChech survey of some of the plants to determine what improvements, if any, have been effected by the installation of certain equipment designed to control the dust, as veil as a number of new plants, particularly on the Pacific Coast. Plants studied in 1936 were: Johns-Vanville Redwood City, Cal. Pittsburg, Cal. Los Angeles, Cal. Lompoc, Cal. General Asbestos & Rubber Division of Raybestos-Hahhattan, Inc. North Charleston, S.C. Z-rays of the chests of exposed workers were sent in to the Home Office for diagnosis. In 1936 - 2570 Z-rays were interpreted. Over, 3,200 Z-rays of asbestos workers have been read in connection with the second asbestos study. X-RAX INTERPRETATIONS In addition to the 2570 Z-rays of asbestos workers interpreted during 1936 the American Car and foundry Company has been continuing to send in for diagnosis Z-rays of their foundry employees. During 1936, Z-rays of 177 of their workers were interpreted. We have also been asked to diagnose Z-rays from other Group policyholders sent to us by the Group Claim Section in connection with claims. fiPgflT AL RESEARCH A study was made to determine a method of entrapping mercury and a chemical method of estimation of mercury in the air of a storage battery plant. This was necessary due to the fact that all available methods dealt with the determination of mercury in either the metallic state or in the forms of a 3- chlorida or nitrate bat aot in the state of the oxide. Therefore, in order to determine the presence and concentration of mercuric oxide in the atmosphere of tiie plant in question a method giving concordant results was developed. The presence of the oxides of nitrogen and their concentration in the fumes given off in acetylene welding were studied and a method adapted which gave a true index. Settled dusts of typical industries were studied and measured to determine the percentages of the various sizes present that might be considered. pathogenic. Various new atmospheric dnst sampling devices were tried out under controlled conditions to determine their efficiency and coep&rison with the accepted standard method. Methods for the determination of mixtures of acid fumes and solvent vapors are in process of study and development. SPECIAL SERVICES A great variety of requests for information or assistance on indus trial hygiene subjects are received in this division. These'are divided as follows! Baaorta (Those requests requiring time and research to answer/ Group policyholders 64 Non-policyholders and 58 prospects Met. Life Ins. Co. and H.O. 13 135 gBflVlal Inqulrlaa (Those requests for which information was supplied but not considered as reports) Group policyholders Non-policyholders and prospects Met. Life Ins. Co. and H.p. 97 180 55 332 -4- T.ABOBATflRT SURVEYS Included in the above number of special services are 42 surveys made by the Industrial Hygiene Laboratory. In analyzing the samples of atmospheric dusts, fumes and gases collected in the plants studied, 819 analyses mere made in the laboratory. The classes of materials analyzed mere* silica and silicates metals (lead, zinc, copper, tin, mercury, etc.) fumes (lead, sine, mercury, solvents such as amyl acetate, methyl alcohol, dichlorbenzine, tricresylphosphate, etc.) gases (carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrons fumes, etc.) The companies studied by the laboratory represent a vide variety of industrial processes. Included ares floor coverings, pipe insulation and fire brick manufacture grey and malleable castings foundry asbestos fabricating plants public utilities heat resistant glass manufacture gas and combination range manufacture stainless steel and regular steel products such as open hearth, etc. glass manufacturing automobile radiators and car heaters paint manufacture railroad car specialties Alloy steel manufacture alkaline type storage battery manu facture china ware - hotel supply printing ink manufacture decaloonania bookkeeping book manufacture asbestos pipe Insulation and magnesia blocks ning and milling diatomaceous earth gold mine oil well equipment These Ifi. surveys represent 8 more than mere made by the Industrial Hygiene Department of Connecticut during 1936. FIELD VISITS During the year there mere 85 field visits, exclusive of visits for laboratory survey. Included in this figure are 75 interviews in the Home Office. ADDRESSES ABD MgETT^QS Dr. McConnell and other members of the division attended 17 meetings of medical and safety organizations and made addresses at 7 of these meetings. Forty- eight newspapers and other publications gave press notices to these addresses in 505 column Inches. EXHIBITS The Industrial Hygiene Laboratory held an exhibit at the American Medical Associatioa meeting in Kansas City, Mo. In addition to a display of dust sampling equipment, 24 X-rays of chests of eases of first and second stages of silieosis and asbestosis, fungus infection, pneumoconiosis caused by exposure to amorphous silica ware displayed. An exhibit was also held of these X-rays at the Graduate fortnight of the Mew Xork Academy of Medicine. Dr. Philip Pierson, Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine exhibited this collection of X-rays at an exhibit held in California. POBUCATIOMS Three booklets of the Industrial Health Section were completely revised and printed during the year. These are* Physical Examinations in Industry Industrial Dental Service Protection of Workers in Welding Processes LITERATPBB During the year 1936, 11,557 copies of publications were sent to Group policyholders and non-policyholders. Of these 9,409 were seat by Welfare Division order but the letter was seat from this section. LBTTBRS Incoming letters numbered 1,79S; outgoing, 1,5U* HOME OFFICE COHDITIOWS In addition to field surveys of the Industrial Hygiene Laboratory, the Industrial Health Section has been of assistance to a number of divisions in the Home Office Buildings in studying their lighting and ventilating problems. In -6- connection with the usa of carbon tetrachloride In certain divisions in the Home Office to clean type a study was made of the concentration of fuses escaping and recommendations were made of safe methods of hewHiing this solvent. We have also assisted the Physician in Charge of our Sanatorium in analyzing for toxicity the paint used in some of the rooms at the Sanatorium. GROUP ACTUARIAL HKALTff CLAIMS We are continuing to assist the Group Actuarial Division in analysing the experience of Groups whose claim experience has been unfavorable in order to ascertain the cause. In a number of instances, where the would indicate a potential health hazard, we have found it necessary to visit these plants and make an inspection or surrey. Reports of findings and recommendations of ways of controlling these hazards were submitted to the Actuarial Division in order to assist them in arriving at a decision regarding rates. In connection with tha practice of having Group policyholders defray incidental expenses of surveys, these have amounted in 1936 to $3,406.20. $509.53 of this amount has been incurred but not yet billed. This is a credit against our travel account.