Document e7bxQVeD4bLX5NE4LZLkVaG0E

.-at:^: . - '`-A*23?; . 'V A-.-`: SHS5V5V-r- " ' ` , INDUSTRIAL _____ -_ .-jcss.--. VV"'"Cr*. .*/ .-''** "' uterature MEDICAL engineering: CHEMICAL toxicological legai FEBRUARY, 1967 (Vol. 31, No. 2) INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE FOUNDATION MELLON INSTITUTE 4400 FIFTH AVENUE :- PITTSBURGH, PA. 1S213 ! e e- .j a'neumatoid Factor in Serum of Individuals Exposed to Asbestos. 3. Pemis, et al. ~:nn, N.Y. Acad. Sci. : : 2, i 1 2- 1 29 (Dec. 3 ii 3o5). -he presence and titer of rheumatoid factors in the sera of 315 asbestos Insulation workers and jf 103 controls were determined by conditioned hemagglutination with tanned red cells coated with aggregated human or rabbit gamma globulins. The asbestos workers were exposed to the dust or periods from i to 54 years, and most of them showed x-ray evidence of asbestosis that was j-aded into grades from one to three. A definite increase in frequency and titers of rheumatoid 'actors in the controls of same age and sex, was found in workers with asbestosis of grades in cwo and three. Similar serological abnormalities are found in cases of pulmonary fibrosis of different origin, idiopathic, silicosis, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and sarcoidosis. -- APCA Absts. gj Occupational Hazards of Pipe Insulators. W. T. Keane and M. R. Zavon. Arch. Environmental Health 13, 171-184 (Aug. 1966), In this survey the attempt has been made to investigate all of the substances with which insulators come in contact in the normal pursuit of their trade. In the present state of technology, and in light of existing medical and toxicological data, the majority of the substances examined proved incapable of presenting a serious health hazard to insulators. The only insulating substance which justifies concern is asbestos. This report and other available scientific data at the present time are insufficient to provide an adequately based conclusion. The most convincing data are those of Selikoff. The further results of his and other investigations will be awaited and should con tribute toward sound judgment of this matter. There are 155 references. -- Authors1 summary 134 Malignancies in Asbestos Workers. J, Lieben. Arch. Environmental Health i 3, 619-621 (Nov. 1966). A study of 68 hospital admissions with asbestosis from an asbestos textile and friction materials plant included 21 malignancies-- 1 3 of these were carcinoma of the lung and eight carcinomas of other organs. Eighteen of the patients had exposures to asbestos in their occupational environment for a period of 1 0 to 36 years. Only three patients had their first exposure after 1940. Extensive dust control measures have been instituted by the plant. There are six references. -- Author's summary ,35 Exposure to Asbestos and Malignancy. Anonymous. London Clin. Med. J. 7, 10-li (Jan. 1966). Recent surveys have shown asbestos bodies to be present in many of the otherwise normal lungs of those living in clean, non-industrial communities, suggesting that environmental contamination with asbestos dust is widespread. Perhaps this is not altogether surprising considering the variety of domestic asbestos products that exist and their wide use in modern building. Present evidence suggests that there is a wide spectrum of pathological changes resulting from asbestos inhalation. Prominence was given recently to the relationship between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. Possible widespread community contamination by asbestos clearly calls for a full assessment of its carcinogenic properties. Both crysotile and crocidolite have been associated with bronchial carcinoma and mesothelioma, but amosite has not. It follows that both qualitative and quanti tative analyses of asbestos in tissues could be most helpful in the further elucidation of this problem. In addition the relationship between asbestos exposure, smoking, and neoplasia for mation, requires analysis. -- APCA Absts. 50 Pleural Calcification as a Sign of Silicatosis. M. Kleinfeld. Am. J. Med. Sci. 25d_, 215-224 (Feb. 1966). Of the agents capable of producing a pneumoconiosis, only asbestos, talc, and mica (and rarely, tree silica) have so far been incriminated in the production of pleural calcifications. Such calcincations following silicate exposure may vary from a few linear or circular plaques over the dome either or both leaves of the diaphragm or the lateral chest wail to formation of an extensive 3-he LI over the whole lung field. The configuration may be bizarre, but the nature of the caici-'.cation usually is readily apoarent on standard posteroanterior and lateral films. Pleural calciilcatior. is usually asymmetric. The plaques are most frequently located over the dome of the iiaparagm rather than ir. ether iur.a areas. Clinical and environmental evaluation was made of iig.-.t workers showing varvir.g degrees :f pleural calcification from exposure to taLc, asbestos, r "'-ica. The minimal duration of exoosore was 22 years and the longest, 34 'years. ?.espiratorv = Vm atoms, chiefly dyser.ea, '.'.ere present Ir. six. Pour of the six showed clubbing. Ir. five,