Document e57nX348akv4np4KqGGmgbzaG

1954 ANNUAL .\v 4 ", i i i dustrial Hygiene Digest INDUSTRIAL HEALTH NEWS LITERATURE ABSTRACTS MEDICAL ENGINEERING CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGICAL LEGAL.. decision* and tind* ~J)-cew,ftL INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE FOUNDATION MELLON INSTITUTE 4400 TITTH AVENUE PITTSBURGH 13. PA. Industrial Hygiene Digest January, 1954 months than after one month. With the middle grades then were two types of reaction, possibly due to agglomerations and discrete particles respec tively. The decrease in proliferation from the finest may be due either to elimination after solution or removal by microphages. Experiments are being continued. 71 Occupational Lung Damage in Ships* Repairers. L. Dun^er, M. Sanger, & D. T. J. Bagnall. Brit. J. Radiol. 26, 590-594 (Nov. 1953). Occupational lung damage in ships* repairers ("boiler-makers'1), due to inhaled dust and/or fumes has been described for the first time. Analysis of the materials and the dusts to which these men are exposed while at work revealed the presence of free silica and iron compounds. Two broad groups are described, namely those with definite radiological changes and those without. Each group may be subdivided into those with severe symptoms, especially dyspnea resulting in incapacity, and those without symptoms. Post-mortem findings of severe emphysema with slight pneumoconiosis are reported in two men belonging to the group, with extreme incapacity in the absence of radiological lesions. -- Authors* summary 72 Asthma and Silicosis. Queries and Minor Notes, J. Am. Med. Assn. 153, 1327 (Dec. 5, 1953). Asthma occurring for the first time in a 52-year-old person can be aggravated by silicosis. The type of dyspnea caused primarily by silicosis is due to damage of the lung parenchyma and to emphysema. In some persons with silicosis, bronchospasm is induced secondarily. It should also be remembered that a 52-year-old man may have allergic infections or cardiac asthma for the first time. If the patient in question has true asthmatic episodes (relieved by epinephrine or aminophylline), a search for other causative factors should be made by a series of observa tions such as examination of the sputum for eosinophils and neutrophils, skin tests, and examination for hypertensive, coronary, or syphilitic heart disease. 73 Asbestosis Bodies and Pseudo-Asbestosis Bodies. J. Ruttner. Schweiz. Z, Allgem. Pathol, u. Bakteriol. 15, 628-631 (1952). German. The literature on asbestosis bodies is reviewed. Similar products were found by the author in a lung which only contained carborundum and graphite; the bodies were formed around plates and needles of carborundum. The protein and iron which form the bulk of the "bodies" must come from the lung tissues and not from the mineral matter of the dust. Similar bodies could also be produced in vitro but they have not so far been found in animal experiments. -- Bull. Hyg. Hygiene Digest March, 1954 :he eruption, especially whether it coincides with the work period; ,,;d 14) character of the eruption, with consideration of possible occupa.jnal aggravation of a non-occupational dermatitis. The limitations of significance of patch tests are discussed. The problem of fungous .-.actions in relation to occupational dermatitis is considered. Some cases ; dermatitis require study, even by an experienced dermatologist, before etiological diagnosis can be made. rjuoational Skin Disease. Public Health Service Publ. No. 306. . 2. Dept, of Health, Education, and Welfare, and Controlling Chemical .azards, Series No. 10. U. S. Dept. Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards. .5 pp. (1953). For sale by Supt. of Documents, U, 5, Govt. Printing office, Washington 25, D, C. 10 cents. This brief pamphlet presents the essentials about occupational skin . iease--direct and indirect causes, and prevention and treatment on the in of the employer and the worker. .-oestos Warts and Other Dermatoses in Workers with Lagging Materials. .. /arris. Rass. med. ind. 22^ 1-17 (Jan. - Feb, 1953). Italian. The author has investigated cases of warts on the hands of 29 workers .in lagging materials, including asbestos cord which is wound around pipes, Ar.ous asbestos-containing slabs, and mixtures of asbestos and cement j be molded to the shape of the tank or other object to be insulated. One to -ur warts were found in every case. They are due to asbestos fibers which penetrate into the epidermis and become lodged in the corium or true skin. The epidermis shows acanthosis (thickening of the prickle-cell layer) and hyperkeratosis (increased horny tissue) and the corium shows a granulo matous type of reaction with the appearance of giant cells In some cases. Exudative dermatitis may also be present. This condition is attributed to the combined action of the hygroscopic and alkaline cement and the irritating asbestos fibers. The gross and microscopic appearances of the lesions are Illustrated. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. ^ Dermatitis Due to Pancreas. S. Tara, G. Bouwens, A. Cavigneaux, and Y. Delplace. Arch, maladies profess. 44-46 (1953). French. Two cases are reported of workers employed ir a pharmacological laboratory who experienced skin trouble when they manipulated pancreas preparations. Erosion of the skin with bleeding is a feature of this form of dermatitis. Similarly to papaya latex and pineapple juice, enzymes from pancreas exert a solvent action on the skin. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 11. 1 1 t a u 11 I $ trial Hygiene Digest August, 1954 upon the PH. From albumin solutions having a concentration comparable with olasma only about one-tenth of the available adsorption sites on a quartz surface .ire filled at PH 7.4. The adsorption of proteins upon the quartz surface is not considered to be an important aspect of the silicosis problem. --Authors' conclusions The Presence of Asbestos Fibers in Urine of Workers Exposed to Asbestos Hazard. V. Wyss. Rass. med. ind. Z2, 55-56 (1953). Italian. In urinary sediment of two asbestos workers asbestos fibers were seen; the same finding was detected in urine of two female patients suffering from as- bestosis, who had left their work seven years before. -- Biol. Absts. PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT come Practical Aspects of Industrial Noise Measurement. L. J. ProuLx. Arch. Ind. Hyg. Occ. Med. % 496-502 (June 1954). Some of the instrumentation problems faced by an engineer who must evaluate industrial noise environments are discussed. An array of equipment which includes a sound level meter, octave band analyzer, tape recorder, dynamic microphone, audio oscillator, vacuum tube voltmeter, high-fidelity crystal head phones, cathode ray oscilloscope, and a good quality loudspeaker is described. The use of the tape recorder and oscilloscope for measuring impact noises is given particular attention. Various calibration checks are described. The Locus of Short Duration Auditory Fatigue or "Adaptation.1* J. D. Harris and Anita L. Rawnsley. J. Expti. Psychol. 46, 457-461 (1953). Auditory adaptation, defined as a reversible shift in threshold following very mild acoustic stimulation, was distinguished from true auditory fatigue by four criteria: (1) the non-cumulative effect of stimulus duration; (2) the temporal course of return to normal threshold following stimulation; (3) the relative fre quency region of maximum threshold shift following pure tone stimulation; and (4) the shape of the curve of loudness (recruitment.) This experiment sought to throw light upon where, in the auditory system, adaptation occurs. By the tech nique of simultaneous binaural loudness balancing between one normal ear under going a threshold shift of a preceding adapting stimulus, it was possible to demons,i*ate an accelerated growth of recruitment in the adapted ear. The intimate 29. str'.ai Hvgiene Digest September, 1954 foremost in disabling silicosis, emphysema stands out as the cause. Emphysema o,one w.th its shortness of breath may lead to a condition simulating asthma and .-.n no specific association with silicosis. In a silicotic patient with emphysema, a coexisting bronchitis may exaggerate the emphysema and thus further the total c.stur-ances. On an organic basis, exposure to silica will not be more harmful to an asthmatic person than to any other worker. On a psychogenic basis, the asth matic person is prone to react unfavorably to any dust and therefore on an emotion al oasis may not get along well in the presence of silica dust. The correspondent .a referred to the report of the Third Symposium on Silicosis at Saranac Lake, '3T for a fuller discussion. D.itribution of Mineral Particles and Fibers in the Lung after Exposure to Asbestos C J. F. Knox and J. Beattie. Arch. Ind. Hyg. & Occ. Med. 1 0, 30-36 (,\;;y 1954). The particle-size distributions in the incombustible and acid-insoluble residues from the lungs of 27 persons who had been exposed to asbestos dust were determined. The number of particles with greatest lengths in excess of 26 microns ''as considerable up to the eighth year after the last exposure to asbestos dust and h.cr. sharply fell. The number of particles within the size ranges of five microns ir.ci less and between five and 15 microns remained constant over a very long period 'hose cases which showed no sign of asbestosis or minimal fibrotic change. The v'-aes of severe asbestosis showed a significant rise in the numbers of such particles. It is considered that the mechanism which is concerned with the production o: .virr.an asbestosis is not the same as that which is responsible for the production of asoestotic changes in experimental animals exposed to high concentrations of asbes-oa dust. The appearance of such changes seems to be related to the breakdown of asoesiosis bodies which may liberate some fibrogenic agent. -- Authors' summary Mineral Content of the Lungs after Exposure to Asbestos Dust. J. F. Knox and J. Beattie. Arch. Ind. Hyg. & Occ. Med. H), 23-29 (July 1954). The mineral content of the lung parenchyma, the lung hilar region, and ne tissues of the pleural and subpleural regions of the lung has been determined in lungs from 27 workers in the asbestos-textile industry. The exposure time varied from five to 33 years, and the time interval between the last exposure to dust and death (survival time) was from less than one year to 21 years. There was an indica- t;on that the mineral material found in the lungs increased in amount as the exposure tune lengthened. The amount so accumulated varied considerably from person to Person. As the survival time increased, the mineral content of the lung tended to decline but again at a very variable rate. The severity of the asbestotic lesions the lungs found at death was related not to the mineral content but to the sum of 2 exposure and survival times. -- Authors' summary ions on the surface Irregularities produced by removal of alumina and other im purities. The presence of these ions enables the silica surface to attract a greater number of hydroxyl ions from the solvent medium, with the subsequent formation of highly soluble silicic acid, -- Cond. from authors' conclusions ;97 Physicochemical Studies on Dusts. 8. Some Sorption Properties of Siliceous Dusts. J. G. Gibb and P, D. Ritchie. J. Appl. Chem, 4, 483-467 (Sept. 1954). Rock crystal, Lochaline sand, and vitreous silica (Vitreosil) dusts all show reduced affinity for a dyestuff cation on removal of the disturbed outer layer from the particle surfaces. This layer of amorphous silica is therefore more re active than the .underlying core in sorption processes, just as in solution processes. In the case of vitreous silica, there is probably a physical difference between the outer amorphous layer and the nominally amorphous core, such as a more open structure. Heat treatment and repeated acid extraction have the same effect in both sorption and solution experiments. Alteration of the surface is probably responsible in both cases. -- Cond, from authors' conclusions 198 The Effect of Quartz Dust and Aluminum Phosphate on Certain Enzymes. B. Helferich and Erika Schmitz. Beifcr, Silikose-Forsch. No. 24, 1-20 (1953), German. This paper describes initial results on the inhibition of enzyme reactions by quartz dusts. It was found that potato phosphatase was adsorbed on quartz dust to an extent depending on the specific surface of the quartz, but that in the adsorb ed state the enzyme was still nearly 100% active. Aluminum phosphate and alum inum silicate also adsorbed the enzyme. A search for phosphatase in a fresh sample of silicotic lung tissue gave negative results. The work will be continued with other enzymes. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. *99 Early Diagnosis of Asbestosis by Enlarged Radiographs. J. Krausier and R. Seyss. Z. Unfallmed, u. Berufskrankh. 47, 59-64 (Mar. 15, 1954). German. After a brief description of asbestosis and the changes in the lung tissue in the early stages, the authors describe a radiographic technique with a fine focus. Of 16 asbestos workers, with 1 to 18 year's exposure, eight showed changes in the lung tissue with the enlargement technique; two of these showed no change by normal technique, and in the other six cases the degree of change shown was minimal. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. Pneumoconiosis in a Feldspar Worker. W. Rotter and H, Gartner. Zentralbi, Arbeitsmed, u. Arbeitsschutz 4, 35-40 (Mar. 1954). German. The authors describe a fatal case of lung disease in a feldspar worker, which they regard as modified silicosis. The dust contained 27.1% potassium Industrial Hygiene Digest Index 1954 iracosis in smoky city 299 Anthrax bacteria, air-sampling prevention in tanneries 1074 828 Anticholinesterases action of phosphorus compounds poisoning and respiratory failure symposium (see also Iasecticid ea, Cholinesterase) 88*? 888 63 642 886 Antimony trioxide toxicity 511 Antiseptics, disinfectants. fungicides, and sterilization (bk. rev.) 356 Arsenic azard in mines poisoning BAL treatment and heart disease 613 755 1252 271 Arthritis, rheumatoid x-ray appearances 180, 181 Artificial respiration (see Resuscitation) Atomic bomb attack burns psychological aspects 83, first aid radiologists role (see also Civil defense) 319 1047 1159 87 Atomic power project, health center public health aspects , Autoradiography in radium detection 918 435 803 Bacteriological safety 28 BAL therapy cobalt poisoning 874 lead poisoning 617, 1252, 1257 Baritosia 304 Barium chloride, poisoning 512 Benzene data sheet determination in air metabolism -* poisoning blood coagulation 1271, - lymphoid lesions in serum lipase in 768 561 769 1272 1008 767 Asbestos dust in lungs *1021, and mica pneumoconiosis in urine warts 1022 550 905 262 Asbestosis early diagnosis and pseudo-asbestosis bodies 1299 73 ospheric turbulence studies 934 Benzene hexachloride detection in vegetables determination in air determination in foods hazard in paint poisoning, chronic sensitivity to toxicity 674 1165 1133 1014 166 536 537 Benzidine and derivatives, determiration564 test for hazard 1275 naphthylamines and tumors 772 3. |i 1i || ii \* * i 1 i :; l T~. j* 1 ! i j j ii i . i i it 1' \ 1h * ; I!.!I1 i ] ,|i t 1 1i iii-1 i: 1. t ; i\i, i i !. 1 ! t- i ! !i i 1 i' ! i ii >' | ] !1| 1 ii i t ii !i \! I . j!' 1; i-;! 1! i !: ii i-i t;i ! ;i i! ; ii t i i ! 'i * i i; 1 j '! ! ; I I> I <I t 1 Industrial Hygiene Digest Decennial Index 1945-.dsq *-enic (coot.) m :owo air (1952) 1134 tnoxide detoxication by fluorides (i 945) 905 effect on rat tissue (1946) 417 exposure in industry (1953) 809 tolerance (rats) (1946) 416 A sine :n msustry (1948) 977 mechanism of action (1947) 1173 pcvsoaiag (1947) 224. 858; 11948) 841; (1950) 573, 574; (1952) 33, 35 from algae (1953) 1041 and BAL (1950) 1039 from boiler cleaning (1951) 844, 984 ] case(s) (1946) 637; (1950) 459, } 824. 325. 1282;(1951) 262 i electrocardiographic changes ? (1951) 985 1 fatal case (1952) 34; (1953) 39 i prevention (1953) 1042 from scaling (1950) 458 smelting industry (1950) 1157, ; 1158 J toxicity (1947) 1114 -rterial oxvgen saturation iterrr.iaation (1952) 502 ' A rthritis : ar.s compensation (1950) 1036 cr:teria for compensation claims (1946) 1267 a industry (1952) 1176 . Marie Stumoei's (1950) 1037 osteo, from pressure (1949) 790. ? 791 rheumetoid, and pneumoconiosis (1954) 180, 181 sequel of trauma wrist (1950) 40 . Artificial circulation (1947) 1367 f (see also Resuscitation) A rtlficjal kidney development of (1949) 143 Artificial respiration (see also Re suscitation) devices for (1945) 147 A sbestos clinical study (1953) 284 corns (1945) 68 Oust control (1947) 327 dust in lungs (1954) 1021, 1022 'feet on tissue cultures (1948) 77 '? cancer from (1953) 605 *nd mica pneumoconiosis (1954) 550 A sbestos (cont.) possible substitute (1945) 1239 and skin granuloma (1950) 1146 in urine (1954) 905 warts (1954) 262 Asbestosis (1948) 278; (1950) 357, 1053; (1952) 674 aluminum prophylajtis (animals) (1947) 234 bodies, electron microscopy (1951) 1142 and cancer (1945) 69; (1949) 867; (1952) 1009 cases (1953) 79 necropsied (1950) 36 control (1952) 83 diagnosis (1947) 1046;(1954) 1299 experimental (1945) 436; (1951) 192; (1952) 219, 436 in fibro-cement industry (1952) 84 in Finland (1947) 1045 French report (1948) 148 pathology (1953) 78, 604 in pipe-covering operations (1946) 353 pseudo-bodies {1952) 438; (1954) 73 and sarcoidosis (1947) 407 in Slovakia (1951)88 study of(1951) 598 miniature films (1953) 496 and tuberculosis (1948) 838 A 3pergiliosis (1946) 142 Asphyxia (see also Resuscitation) treatment of (1946) 1259 A sphvxiation in a diving oell (1951) 580 Asthma in industry (1952) 625 bronchial (1952) 958 Atabrine dermatitis (1947) 713 workers, "blue haleos" in (1947) 1324 Athlete's foot (see also Dermatopeytoses and Fungus diseases) cotton hose as vehicle (1945) 762 prevention (1949) 1007 treatment (1946) 324, 505, 1036 Atmospheric conditions conducive to efficiency (1945) 621 Atmospheric contamination pollution (see Air pollution) symposium (1950) 391 Atmospheric diffusion measurement (1952) 1244 Atmospheric pollution (see Air pollution) Atmospheric turbulence (bk. rev.) (1951) 14 measurement (1953) 643 studies (1954) 934 Atomic energy (1946) 1091, 1092; (see also Radiation) biological applications (1946) 570 chemical problems in (1951) 292 Commission medical program (1949) 127 constructive use (bk. rev.) (1950) 1027 economics (1948) 88 employee orientation (1952) 376 hazards (1946) 36. 988;(1947) 534, 995, 997; (1950) 612 control, automatic (1951) 750 control of (bk. rev.) (1950) 1027, 1028 radiation-(see Radiation) in industry (1947) 298, 883; (1949) 128 insurance (1947) 1260; (1950) 1207, 1208 international control (bk. rev.) (1947) 142 medical aspects (1946) 301; (1947) 996, 1119 neutron health monitoring (1949)341 (1950) 225 physiologic effects (1947) 297 project, health center (1954) 918 protection from radiation (1946) 607 public health aspects (1954) 435 safeguards (1947) 326 slow tissue activation by neutrons (1946) 231 utilization of (1947) 1349 ventilation (1952) 227 Atomic research alleged injury to workers (1947) 999 Atomic warfare atomic bomb (bk. rev.) (1949) 809 biological aspects (1946) 1C42, 1223 burns (1950) 968;(1951) 615; (1952) 790: (1954) 319 _ casualties care (1951) 384, 898; (1953) 747 damage and protection (1950) 500 defense, civil (1951) 94 role of doctor (1950) 1065 disaster plan (1948) 689 effects (1947) 174, 994, 995, 1 119, 1120; (1948) 1101; (1949) 213, 339, 492, 494; (1951) 98 on blood (1950) 216, 217. 218. 219; (1953) 619 -7- ` >} dustrial Hygiene Digest INDUSTRIAL HEALTH NEWS LITERATURE ABSTRACTS MEDICAL ENGINEERING CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGICAL LEGAL.. decision* and traada :/ ui. s ->S INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE FOUNDATION MELLON INSTITUTE 4400 FIFTH AVENUE PITTSBURGH 13, PA. Industrial Hygiene Digest January, 1954 months than after one month. With the middle grades then were two types of reaction, possibly due to agglomerations and discrete particles respec tively. The decrease in proliferation from the finest may be due either to elimination after solution or removal by microphages. Experiments are being continued. 71 Occupational Lung Damage in Ships* Repairers. L. Dun^er, M. Sanger, & D. T. J. Bagnali. Brit. J. Radiol. 26, 590-594 (Nov. 1953). Occupational lung damage in ships' repairers ("boiler-makers"), due to inhaled dust and/or fumes has been described for the first time. Analysis of the materials and the dusts to which these men are exposed while at work revealed the presence of free silica and iron compounds. Two broad groups are described, namely those with definite radiological changes and those without. Each group may be subdivided into those with severe symptoms, especially dyspnea resulting in incapacity, and those without symptoms. Post-mortem findings of severe emphysema with slight pneumoconiosis are reported in two men belonging to the group, with extreme incapacity in the absence of radiological lesions. -- Authors' summary 72 Asthma and Silicosis, Queries and Minor Notes, J. Am. Med. Assn. 1 53, 1327 (Dec. 5, 1953). Asthma occurring for the first time in a 52-year-old person can be aggravated by silicosis. The type of dyspnea caused primarily by silicosis is due to damage of the lung parenchyma and to emphysema. In some persons with silicosis, bronchospasm is induced secondarily. It should also be remembered that a 52-year-old man may have allergic infections or cardiac asthma for the first time. If the patient in question has true asthmatic episodes (relieved by epinephrine or aminophylline), a search for other causative factors should be made by a series of observa tions such as examination of the sputum for eosinophils and neutrophils, skin tests, and examination for hypertensive, coronary, or syphilitic heart disease. 73 Asbestosis Bodies and Pseudo-Asbestosis Bodies. J, Ruttner. Schweiz. Z. Allgem. Pathol, u. Bakteriol. 15, 628-631 (1952). German, The literature on asbestosis bodies is reviewed. Similar products were found by the author in a lung which only contained carborundum and graphite; the bodies were formed around plates and needles of carborundum. The protein and iron which form the bulk of the "bodies" must come from the lung tissues and not from the mineral matter of the dust. Similar bodies could also be produced in vitro but they have not so far been found in animal experiments. -- Bull. Hyg. a t r-i. Hygiene Digest March, 1954 _ the eruption, especially whether it coincides with the work period; ...d (4) character of the eruption, with consideration of possible, occupa.jnal aggravation of a non-occupational dermatitis. The limitations of significance of patch tests are discussed. The problem of fungous ,:ec:ions in relation to occupational dermatitis is considered. Some cases ; dermatitis require study, even by an experienced dermatologist, before ecological diagnosis can be made. juoational Skin Disease, Public Health Service Publ. No. 306. . b. Dept, of Health, Education, and Welfare, and Controlling Chemical .azards, Series No. 10. U. S. Dept. Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards. .5 op. (1953). For sale by Supt. of Documents, U. S. Govt, Printing office, Washington 25, D. C. 10 cents. This brief pamphlet presents the essentials about occupational skin . iease--direct and indirect causes, and prevention and treatment on the ire of the employer and the worker. .-oestos Warts and Other Dermatoses in Workers with Lagging Materials. .. Farris. Rass. med. ind. ZZ, T^T7 (Jan. - Feb, 1953). Italian. The author has investigated cases of warts on the hands of 29 workers .`.n lagging materials, including asbestos cord which is wound around pipes, j.r;ous asbestos-containing slabs, and mixtures of asbestos and cement 0 be molded to the shape of the tank or other object to be insulated. One to .ur warts were found in every case. They are due to asbestos fibers which Penetrate into the epidermis and become lodged in the corium or true skin. Tiie epidermis shows acanthosis (thickening of the prickle-cell layer) and hyperkeratosis (increased horny tissue) and the corium shows a granulo matous type of reaction with the appearance of giant cells In some cases. Exudative dermatitis may also be present. This condition is attributed to the combined action of the hygroscopic and alkaline cement and the irritating asbestos fibers. The gross and microscopic appearances of the lesions are illustrated. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. Dermatitis Due to Pancreas, S. Tara, G. Bouwens, A. Cavigneaux, and V. Deiplace. Arch, maladies profess, 14, 44-46 (1953). French. Two cases are reported of workers employed ir a pharmacological laboratory who experienced skin trouble when they manipulated pancreas preparations. Erosion of the skin with bleeding is a feature of this form of dermatitis. Similarly to papaya latex and pineapple juice, enzymes from * pancreas exert a solvent action on the skin. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 11. stna.1 Hygiene Digest August, 1954 upon the PH. From albumin solutions having a concentration comparable with olasma only about one-tenth oC the available adsorption sites on a quartz surface are tilled at PH 7.4. The adsorption of proteins upon the quartz surface is not considered to be an important aspect of the silicosis problem. -- Authors' conclusions The Presence of Asbestos Fibers in Urine of Workers Exposed to Asbestos Hazard. V. Wyss. Rass. med. ind. ZZ, 55-56 (1953). Italian. In urinary sediment of two asbestos workers asbestos fibers were seen; che same finding was detected in urine of two female patients suffering from as- bestosis, who had left their work seven years before. -- Biol. Absts. PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT dome Practical Aspects of Industrial Noise Measurement, L. J. Proulx. Arch., Ind. Hyg. &Occ. Med. 9^ 496-502 (June 1954). Some of the instrumentation problems faced by an engineer who must evaluate industrial ooise environments are discussed. An array of equipment which includes a sound level meter, octave band analyzer, tape recorder, dynamic microphone, audio oscillator, vacuum tube voltmeter, high-fidelity crystal head phones, cathode ray oscilloscope, and a good quality loudspeaker is described. The use of the tape recorder and oscilloscope for measuring impact noises is given particular attention. Various calibration checks are described. The Locus of Short Duration Auditory Fatigue or ''Adaptation." J. D, Harris and Anita L. Rawnsley. J. Exptl. Psychol. 46, 457-461 (1953). Auditory adaptation, defined as a reversible shift in threshold following very mild acoustic stimulation, was distinguished from true auditory fatigue by four criteria: (1) the non-cumuiative effect of stimulus duration; (2) the temporal course of return to normal threshold following stimulation; (3) the relative fre quency region of maximum threshold shift following pure tone stimulation; and (4) the shape of the curve of loudness (recruitment.) This experiment sought to throw light upon where, in the auditory system, adaptation occurs. By the tech nique of simultaneous binaural loudness balancing between one normal ear under going a threshold shift of a preceding adapting stimulus, it was possible to demonS|i*ate an accelerated growth of recruitment in the adapted ear. The intimate 29. Foremost in disabling silicosis, emphysema stands out as the cause. Emphysema o.one w.th Us shortness of breath may lead to a condition simulating asthma and -is no specific association with silicosis. In a silicotic patient with emphysema, a coexisting -ronchitis may exaggerate the emphysema and thus further the total c.atur-ances. On an orga-nic basis, exposure to silica will not be more harmful to an asthmatic person than to any other worker. On a psychogenic basis, the asth::-.atic person is prone to react unfavorably to any dust and therefore on an emotion al oasis may not get along well in the presence of silica dust. The correspondent : referred to the report of the Third Symposium on Silicosis at Saranac Lake, '37 (or a fuller discussion. D.itribution of Mineral Particles and Fibers in the Lung after Exposure to Asbestos* D.:st. J. F. Knox and J. Beattie. Arch. Ind, Hyg. & Occ. Med. 10, 30-36 L'u.y 1954). The particle-size distributions in the incombustible and acid-insoluble residues from the lungs of 27 persons who had been exposed to asbestos dust were cccermmed. The number of particles with greatest lengths in excess of 26 microns a as considerable up to the eighth year after the last exposure to asbestos dust and -or. sharply fell. The number of particles within the size ranges of five microns ir.d less and between five and 15 microns remained constant over a very long period :: 'hose cases which showed no sign of asbestosis or minimal fibrotic change. The -ases of severe asbestosis showed a significant rise in the numbers of such particles. It is considered that the mechanism which is concerned with the production o: human asbestosis is not the same as that which is responsible for the production of assestotic changes in experimental animals exposed to high concentrations of asbesas dust. The appearance of such changes seems to be related to the breakdown of asoestosis bodies which may liberate some fibrogenic agent. -- Authors' summary Mineral Content of the Lungs after Exposure to Asbestos Dust. J. r . Knox and J. Beattie. ' Arch. Ind. Hyg. & Occ. Med. H), 23-29 (July 1954). The mineral content of the lung parenchyma, the lung hilar region, and ne tissues of the pleural and subpleural regions of the lung has been determined in lungs from 27 workers in the asbestos-textile industry. The exposure time varied from five to 33 years, and the time interval between the last exposure to dust and death (survival time) was from less than one year to 21 years. There was an indica tion that the mineraL material found in the lungs increased in amount as the exposure *-me lengthened. The amount so accumulated varied considerably from person to person. As the survival time increased, the mineral content of the lung tended to decline but again at a very variable rate. The severity of the asbestotic lesions the lungs found at death was related not to the mineral content but to the sum of i exposure and survival times. -- Authors' summary dustrial Hygiene Digest December, 1954 ions on the surface irregularities produced by removal of alumina and other im purities. The presence of these ions enables the silica surface to attract a greater number of hydroxyl ions from the solvent medium, with the subsequent formation of highly soluble silicic acid. -- Cond. from authors' conclusions ;97 Physicochemical Studies on Dusts. 8. Some Sorption Properties of Siliceous Dusts. J. G. Gibb and P. D. Ritchie. J, Appl, Chem, 4, 483-487 (Sept. 1954). Rock crystal, Lochaline sand, and vitreous silica (Vitreosil) dusts all show reduced affinity for a dyestuff cation on removal of the disturbed outer layer from the particle surfaces. This layer of amorphous silica is therefore more re active than the .underlying core in sorption processes, just as in solution processes. In the case of vitreous silica, there is probably a physical difference between the outer amorphous layer and the nominally amorphous core, such as a more open structure. Heat treatment and repeated acid extraction have the same effect in both sorption and solution experiments. Alteration of the surface is probably responsible in both cases. Cond. from authors1 conclusions 298 The Effect of Quartz Dust and Aluminum Phosphate on Certain Enzymes. B. Helferich and Erika Schmitz. Beitr, Siiikose-Forsch. No, 24, 1-20 (1953). German. This paper describes initial results on the inhibition of enzyme reactions by quartz dusts. It was found that potato phosphatase was adsorbed on quartz dust to an extent depending on the specific surface of the quartz, but that in the adsorb ed state the enzyme was still nearly 100% active. Aluminum phosphate and alum inum silicate also adsorbed the enzyme. A search for phosphatase in a fresh sample of silicotic lung tissue gave negative results. The work wilt be continued with other enzymes. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. ^99 Early Diagnosis of Asbestosis by Enlarged Radiographs. J. Krauster and R. Seyss. Z. Unfallmed. u. Berufskrankh. 47, 59-64 (Mar. 15, 1954). German, After a brief description of asbestosis and the changes in the lung tissue in the early stages, the authors describe a radiographic technique with a fine focus. Of 16 asbestos workers, with 1 to 18 year's exposure, eight showed changes in the lung tissue with the enlargement technique; two of these showed no change by normal technique, and in the other six cases the degree of change shown was minimal. -- Cond. from Bull, Hyg. ^0 Pneumoconiosis in a Feldspar Worker. W. Rotter and H. Gartner. Zentralbi, Arbeitsmed. u. Arbeitsschutz 4, 35-40 (Mar. 1954). German. The authors describe a fatal case of lung disease in a feldspar worker, which they regard as modified silicosis. The dust contained 27. 1% potassium Industrial Hygiene Digest Index 1954 iracosis in smoky city 299 Anthrax bacteria, air-sampling prevention in tanneries 1074 828 Anticholinesterases action of phosphorus compounds poisoning and respiratory failure symposium (see also Insecticides, Cholinesterase) 881 888 63 642 886 Antimony trioxide toxicity 511 Antiseptics, disinfectants. fungicides, and sterilization (bk, rev,) 356 Arsenic azard in mines poisoning BAL treatment and heart disease 613 755 1252 271 Arthritis, rheumatoid x-ray appearances 180,, 181 Artificial respiration (see Resuscitation) Atomic bomb attack burns psychological aspects 83, first.aid radiologist's role (see also Civil defense) 319 1047 1159 87 Atomic power project, health center public health aspects 918 435 Autoradiography in radium detection 803 Bacteriological safety 28 BAL therapy cobalt poisoning 874 lead poisoning 617, 1252, 1257 Baritosis 304 Barium chloride, poisoning 512 Benzene data sheet determination in air metabolism ~ poisoning blood coagulation 1271, - lymphoid lesions in serum lipase in 768 561 769 1272 1008 767 Asbestos dust in lungs *1021, and mica pneumoconiosis in urine warts 1022 550 905 262 Asbestosis early diagnosis and pseudo-asbestosis bodies 1299 73 ospheric turbulence studies 934 Benzene hexachloride detection in vegetables determination in air determination in foods hazard in paint poisoning, chronic sensitivity to toxicity 674 1165 1133 1014 166 536 537 Benzidine and derivatives, determiration564 test for hazard 1275 naphthylamines and tumors 772 Industrial Hvgiene Digest Decennial Index 1945. : 954 A r ?er ie (coot.) ;n cowq air (1952) 1134 tr-.oxide detoxication by fluorides (1945) 905 effect on rat tissue (1946) 417 exposure in industry (1953) 809 tolerance (rats) (1946) 416 A sine :n u-.custry (1948) 977 r.echaiujm of action (1947) 1173 ptisotung (1947) 224, 858; (1948) 841; (1950) 573. 574; (1952) 33. 35 from algae (1953) 1041 and BAL (1950) 1039 from boiler cleaning (1951) 844. 984 } case(s) (1946) 637; (1950) 459, 824. 825, 1282; (1951) 262 j electrocardiographic changes ? (1951) 985 I fatal case U952) 34; (1953) 39 i prevention (1953) 1042 from scaling (1950) 458 ' smelting industry (1950) 1157, 1158 i toxicity (1947) IU4 -rterial oxvgen saturation iterrr.mation 11952) 502 Arthritis ar.s compensation (1950) 1036 criteria for compensation claims (1946) 1267 -a industry (1952) 1176 . 'iarie Sturepel's (1950) 1037 osteo, from pressure (1949) 790, t 791 rheumetoid, and pneumoconiosis ! (1954) 180, 181 sequel of trauma wrist (1950) 40 Artificial circulation (1947) 1367 { (see also Resuscitation) A rtificial kidney development of (1949) 143 Artificial respiration (see also Resuscitation) devices for (1945) 147 A shestos d-meal study (1953) 284 orns (1945) 68 oust control (1947) 327 dust in lungs (1954) 1021, 1022 'feet on tissue cultures (1948) 77 ig cancer from (1953) 605 *nd mca pneumoconiosis (1954) 550 Asbestos (cont.) possible substitute (1945) 1239 and skin granuloma (1950) 1146 in urine (1954) 905 warts (1954) 262 Asbestosis (1948) 278; (1950) 357. 1053; (1952) 674 aluminum prophylaxis (animals) (1947) 234 bodies, electron microscopy (1951) 1142 and cancer (1945) 69; (1949) 867; (1952) 1009 cases (1953) 79 oecropsied (1950) 36 control (1952) 83 diagnosis (1947) 1046; (1954) 1299 experimental (1945) 436; (1951) 192; (1952) 219, 436 in fibro-cement industry (1952) 84 in Finland (1947) 1045 French report (1948) 148 pathology (1953) 78, 6Q4 in pipe-covering operations (1946) 353 pseudo-bodies (1952) 438; (1954) 73 and sareoidosis (1947) 407 in Slovakia (1951) 88 study of (1951) 598 miniature films (1953) 496 and tuberculosis (1948) 888 A 3pergiUosis (1946) 142 Asphyxia (see also Resuscitation) treatment of (1946) 1259 A spkvxiation in a diving bell (1951) 580 Asthma in industry (1952) 625 bronchial (1952) 953 Atabrine dermatitis (1947) 713 workers, "blue haleos" in (1947) 1324 Athlete's foot (see also Dermatopeytoses and Fungus diseases) cotton hose as vehicle (1945) 762 prevention (1949) 1007 treatment (1946) 324, 505. 1036 Atmospheric conditions conducive to efficiency (1945) 621 Atmospheric contamination pollution (see Air pollution) symposium (1950) 391 Atmospheric diffusion measurement (1952) 1244 Atmospheric pollution (see Air pollution) Atmospheric turbulence (bk. rev.) (1951) 14 measurement (1953) 643 studies (1954) 934 Atomic energy (1946) 1091, 1092; (see also Radiation) biological applications (1946) 570 chemical problems in (1951) 292 Commission medical program (1949) 127 constructive use (bk. rev.) (1950) 1027 economics (1948) 88 employee orientation (1952) 376 hazards (1946) 36, 988; (1947) 534, 995, 997; (1950) 612 control, automatic (1951) 750 control of (bk. rev.) (1950) 1027, 1028 radiation-(*ee Radiation) in industry (1947) 298, 883; (1949) 128 insurance (1947) 1260;(1950) 1207, 1208 international control (bk. rev.) (1947) 142 medical aspects (1946) 301; (1947) 996, 1119 neutron health monitoring (1949) 341 (1950) 225 physiologic effects (1947) 297 project, health center (1954) 918 protection from radiation (1946) 607 public health aspects (1954) 435 safeguards (1947) 326 slow tissue activation by neutrons (1946) 231 utilization of (1947) 1349 ventilation (1952) 227 Atomic research alleged injury to workers (1947) 999 Atomic warfare atomic bomb (bk. rev.) (1949) 809 biological aspects (1946) 1042, 1223 burns (1950) 968; (1951) 615: (1932) 790; (1954) 319 _ casualties care (195 1) 384, 898; (1953) 747 damage and protection (1950) 500 defenee, civil (1951) 94 role of doctor (1950) 1065 disaster plan (1948) 689 effects (1947) 174, 994, 995. 1U9. 1120; (1948) 1101; (1949) 213, 339, 492, 494; (1951) 98 on blood (1950) 216, 217, 218, 219;(1953) 619 -7- 4