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LEAD INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION 420 LEXINGTON AVENUE NEW YORK, N. Y. JHS - HR. WEBB APS JTfr'' ^TJEC'D. OR. EDGAR CEC ERA EAY JUL-2 1943 KDEFPG. COMMENT| Draft Rtply FILE HANDLE | Not*; R#t`n July 1, 1943 LEAD HYC-IE'IE AID SAFETY b u l l e t z; i:o. Tb o members of the Lead Industries Association: Attached please find; A. Notes on Industrial Eygjaiq Foundation of America, Inc. Bulletin ~11 Proceedings*~of Seventh Annual ileeting of iienfcers." , --------------------------------------- 2---------------------- (1 page) 3. Abstracts cf Recent Literature on Lead Poisoning* (9 pages) Very truly yours. Secretary. <"7 A\ Lead Hygiene Bulletin No. 29 NOTES ON INDUSTRIAL HYSENE FOUNDATION OF AMERICA. Sc."S!31I2nB The Industrial Hygiene Foundation of America, Inc., has published its "Proceedings of the Seventh Annual Meeting .of Members" in bulletin form. Included are panels on the following subjects: "More Manpower Through Reduction of Absenoes" "Putting 7omen, Older Hen and Physically Handicapped to Work" "Fatigue in Wartime Industry -- Hours of Work, Rotation of Shifts" Copies are available at $2.00 each, plus postage. The Foundation has also issued a reprint of the panel on "More Manpower Through Reduction of Absences" which can be obtained at cost to us, plus postage. * 029 / /- Lead Hygiene Eulietin No* 29 ABSTRACTS OF RECEIPT LITERATURE OH LEAD POISONING 1 LEAD POISONING CAUSING DEATH OF PAINTER. LIABILITY OF EMPLOYER FOR AGGRAVATION OF DECEa SEI)''^ 'CON Sit IOrf AS VICTSi Ofr~ LAi^oTsMlUG~ Deceased had been & house painter for defendant about eighteen months when he became suddenly ill with abdominal pains, nausea and fever, all symptoms of lead poisoning. He consulted a physioian near his plaoe of employment and after a few days he oalled in a looal dootor who treated him a short time and then sent him to the Anderson County Hospital, There he lingered hopelessly for weeks and despite diagnosis end treatment by several physioians developed further typical symptoms, neuritis and mental deterioration until his death* All of the physicians agreed upon the basic diagnosis of lead poisoning* The case resolves itself into whether the deceased \/as exposed in his employment to the taking of lead into his systaa, and whether ho did so take it, in such quantity and under such circumstances as to constitute an aocident, causing his acuto illness and subsequent death. The Ccnniission so found* As a part of his work, deceased scraped and brushed off old paint, subjecting him to the inhalation of the resulting dust containing lead* If the inhalation of load in unusual quantities ocourrod during tho period of employment- of tho deceased by Mathews Mill by accidental moans, then it natters not that suoh unusual and accidental inhalation merely aggravatod deceased's prior dormant condition as a victim (if he was) of lead poison ing, for such aggravation, resulting in doath, would make the latter componsable* Judgement of the lcrwor court is affirmed* Strsidicm v. J.A. Chapman Construction Company, ct al* So* Car* Sup* Ct. Decided -January 22, 1943* (CCH). OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS IN THE AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY* K* Kay. Occup. Hazards, 5, 10-11, 24-28 February, The various hoalth hazards in tho airoraft industry are disoussed briefly* They includes (l) painting operations; (2) solvents; (3) degroas- ing; (4) sandblasting; (5) welding operations, and (6) aircraft dermatitis. ,'1CONCENTRATION OF soAgrgrggAiTg ATMOSPHERIC METAL FUMES IN wjgrmi'TOiam o mit . NON-FERROUS FOUNDR_IE_S. vrrscoiTsiN s t at e Miiib It pp. A study of & repre- sentative group of 15 non-ferrous foundries in TTisoonsin was made from the fall of 1940 to the next summer* Samples totaling 752 for lead and 581 for zino were taken with electrostatio precipitators* Lead and zino were determined by dithizone methods. Samples were usually taken at a central point near the molding and pouring floor and one point near the furnaoe, often simultaneously. An average of summer and winter results showed concentrations of atmospheric lead of over 1.5 mg* per 10 ou. m. of air in 11 of 15 furnace sections and in 11 of 14 pouring sections. Seven of each averaged over 3.0 mg. per 10 cu* m. The average winter concentration was about 3 fcimos as high as in summer, but even in summer 4 furnace sections and 6 pouring seotions had aver age lead concentrations above the toxic limit* In only one oase was tho zinc concen tration above the toxic limit of 150 mg* zino per 10 ou* n. of air. A large share of atmospheric lead and zinc is liberated during pouring* Even when alloys are as law as 0.1 or 0*2^ lead the toxio limit for lead can easily be exoeeded* Lead tends to be carried out of tho motal along with zinc fumes* The following recommendations are made: (l) hoods for all furnaces; (2) on exhaust hood for fumes liberated during skinning; (3) cruciblos or ladlos should bo pulled rather than pushed; (4) a conveyor line with pouring dono at one spot whioh can be well exhausted; (5) if tho last is not practicable, positivo ventilation should be provided; (6) vacuum oleonors for dust removal; and (7) comploto periodical physical examinations* A number of charts and tablos present the data* INDUSTRIAL WYftTRWR PROBLEMS IN RECOVERY OF NON-FERROUS METALS FROM SCRAP. Illinois Labor Bull., _3, 4-6, 9 ^November 30, 1942;. This article, written primarily for factory operators and smelters is & thorough review of the hazards involved in hamdlin non-ferrous scrap metals* The lead hazard is considered and methods cf control are outlined. The need for good housekeeping is emphasized and effective exhaust ventila tion is recommended rather than, the use of filter respirators, whose proper use is difficult. 02S73 Lead Hygiene Bulletin No. 29 ABSTRACTS OF RECENT LITERATURE ON LEAD POISONING B-2 INDUSTRIAL POISONING ASSOCIATED WITH DROSSES. Queries & ilinor Notes, J.A.U.A, 120, l67S (1'ovenber 28, 1942;, Two men employed" in a plant reclaiming drosses showed' mild symptoms of multiple transient joint pains, neuritis, bleeding guns, a general ma laise, and anorexia. Results of examination are negative except for slight drop in hemoglobin and red cell count. The men are in contaot with tellurium, antimony, sulfur and chlorine. Lead, arsenic, and zinc are common impurities in many metals, the type and amount of these impurities nay vary daily in a metal dross reclaim ing plant. Antimony poisoning is suggested by the symptoms, but there are too few cases in this country' to warrant a definite diagnosis as such. Good ventilation and tho wearing of respirators aro essential for dross workers. References for antimony poisoning in tho literature are given. A CASS OF T.R.AD ARSENATE POISONING T/ITH RECOVERY. H.H. Kilgore and P.S. Rhoads. J. A.M.A., Clin. !fotes. 27, 112Jj (December, 142J, A careful enisaeration is made of uhe history and symptoms o7 a fruit farmer who had developed load arsenate poisoning from using the substance as a spray. Tho results of determinations of tlie lead and arsenic content of the hair, fingernails, and urine are given. The treatment, which com prised chiofly tri weekly intravenous injections of sodium thiosulfate and extensive vitamin therapy is described. A.fter seven weeks of the treatreut the patient, who had been exposed to the poison for 30 years, was convalescing rapidly. ENCEPHALOPATHY FROU INHALING FUICS FROII BURNING STORAGE BATTERY BOXES. W.D. McNally. J. Ina. Hyg, & Tox, 25, 29-fo lJanuary, 1943). The careless disposal of battery boxes whioh results in their being used as a souroo of fuel 1ms too frequently caused illnoss and death from lead poisoning. One such instance is described, in'which a colored woman burned battery boxes in her range, became ill with numerous symptoms of load encephalopathy, and died in less than two months after the first oxposure. Numerous blood and tissue chongos woro found in autopsy. Industrial physicians who are consultants to industries engaged in smolting battory plates should inform their employers of tho danger involvod in discarding used battory boxos in public dumping grounds whoro the indigont class may acquire them for fuol. Eoalth departments of the various states should onforoo a rulo prohibiting tho discarding of used battery boxes in publio placos. EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS IN LEAD POISONING. H. Tfaniok. Arch. Gewerbcpath. Gowerbchyg., lA, 58-76 ^1941). Oral doaos of whito load woro administered daily to rabbits until"0.25 g. por kg. body weight had boon given. The animals died between the Sth and 16th days. Tho administration of 2 g. of glucose and 0.5 unit of insulin incroasod slightly tho number of red cells, hemoglobin and body weight as oompared with the oontrol group, but did not affoct tho duration of life. In another group 1 cc. of compolon (livor oxtraot) was injected daily along with the oral doses of white lead. Such treatment inoroasod tho duration of life of tho onismls as woll as tho erythrocyto count hemoglobin volumes. The numbor of rabbits usod for oach experiment was small (mostly 3 to 5). THE EFFECT OF CHRONIC LEAD-POISONING ON ARTERIAL PRESSURE IN DOGS. P.J.Fouts and I.H. Page. AmJ Heart "J. 24, 329-331 tSeptember, l942j. The beiier that ohronio lead poisoning leads to arterial hypertension was tested by experiments on dogs. No hypertension was produced by administration of lead to dogs, even when over long periods of time and in large amounts. 02 9 7 Lead Hygiene 3ulletin No. 29 ABSTRACTS OF RECENT LITERATURE ON LEAD POISONING B- 3 IDENTIFICATION OF LEAD IN BOIH2 TISSuE. L.T* Fairhall* Pub.. Health Repts., 58, 209-216 (February , 194#/*' 1 A method for positive iidentification of lead in bone tissue has been evolved which pemits detailed investigation of the lead deposit* The process consists of decalcifioation of the bone section (preferably sawed lengthwise) by a .saturated solution of sulfur dioxide. Ho lead is lost in the process. Sections cut in paraffin are treated with xylene, alcohols and water and are f inally indorsed in .anacetio acid solution of potassium chromate* slowly doveloping a doposit cf lead chromate crystals. These aro best studied under a polarizing microscope. Quantities of load much too small for x-ray detection are revealod by the method. Examination of bone preparod by this nothod shows that whilo the epiphyseal portion of bono is rich in load, particularly in the early stages of lead absorption, deposition occurs through out the compact tissue on all surfaces over which blood passes. X-ray* studies of tho bones of lead-poisoned animals indicate that the amount of lead, whether segregated or diffused, oven in tho absence of calcium, is insufficient to be revoalcd by ordinary x-ray photography. Deposition of lead was shown to occur in the fat cells of tho rod marrow* Lead storage in tho bone tissue occurs first ns colloidally dispersed and finally as segregated crystalline masses* yCRODETERlUNATION OF LEAD BY DITHIZONS. K. Banbach and R.E. Burkoy* Ind* & Sng. Chen., Anal*''Ed*, 14, 564-^07 (Hovaabor, 1942). A method for the determination of lead is givon in d"etail. In it are incorporated tho latest refinements in the use of dithizonc as well as an improved method if eliminating bismuth. Separation of load from bismuth both of whioh combino with dithizono in tho first extraction from alkaline solution, is accomplished by stripping tho lead from the dithizono oxtract with a potassium acid phthalate-hydrochloric acid buffer solution at pH3.4. Tho bismuth remaining in the chloroforn-dithizono extract is discarded. Tho method effect* a 25^ saving in tho working time. Ton roforonces ore given. WOMEN IN INDUSTRY. Safe Practice Bull*, No. 107. National Safety Council. 8 pp. The general headings' of the pamphlet are: (l) selectionand placement of workers; (2) training; (3) supervision; (4) acoident prevention; (5) occupational disease, and (6) mental and physical health. In connection with selection and placement, pre- placement physical examinations should always be given. The examining physician shoulc have- have full information regarding the duties to be performed and should consider fitness in connection with the examination* In the section on accident orevention, suitable adjustments of machines and safety olothing aro considered as factors in safety. Limits for heavy lifting* set by various industries and states are discussed. The question of fatigue is also to be considered. There is no authori tative information on greater sensitivity of women to occupational diseases than men, but both women and men should be protected from unsafe quantities of toxic materials. Exposure of pregnant women to lead, carbon monoxide, carbon disulfide, nitrobenzene, neroury, benzene and carbon tetrachloride should especially be avoided* Factors in mental and .physical hoalth are noralo, sanitation, and good housekeeping. Women personnel advisors aro of assistance in some companies, and in any case frequent interviews are helpful* LEAD HAZARD IN MILK CAN MANUFACTURE. The Industrial Hygiene Unit of the Wisconsin State Board of ilealth has published a 31 page bulletin entitled, "The Lead Hazard in the liilk Canning Industry." The study is based upon surveys made in the can-naking plants and the filling departments of 5 Wisconsin milk canning companies* Atmospheric lead concentrations above the maximum permissible concentration of 1*5 mg. per 10 cubic meters of air were found in the general atmosphore of 4 can plants. Sources of lead contamination were the body seam-soldering machines, the en-seaa or floater ma chines and the loading and renelt kettles. A lead hazard waB not associated with the operation of casting solder pigs, or by the mechanical soldoring operation of the filler machines* Recommended control measures include local exhaust ventilation, vacuum cleaning and process changes in the solder recovory operation, '.'fiat's New in Industrial Hygieno, 1, 13 (Llarch, 1943). 02S75 Lead Hygiene Bulletin .<o 29 ABSTRACTS OF RECENT LITERATURE ON LEAD POISONING E-4 OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE. BRONCHIECTASIS AS AN INCIDENT 0? OCCUPATION DISEASE. SUITES AS CAUSAL CONNECTION, this v/as a proceeding before The Industrial Board under the * Indiana '.Torkoen*? Oocupation Diseases Act. Appellee, then a well and healthy nan who had never suffered from influenza or any infootious disease, commenced "work in the Appellant's factory, after having been physically examined by the Appellant's physician who found the appellee to be in a hoalthy physical condition at the tirno. He started work in the Heat Treat Departeent where there were cyanide pots, lead pots, oil baths, a shot blast machine, gas ovens and anealing furnaces, and where caked cyanide and oil wore drilled and the residue blown by an air house into tho atncsphere Fumes from cyanide pots, lead pots and furnaces and dust fren the machines pomuated the air and settled everywhere thoy worked. The temperature in that Department was hot in sono places and cool in others. About six months after ho commenced employ ment thoro, he was coughing up blood and wont to his physician who advised him that if he did not got cut of the Heat Treat Department it would kill him. He stopped work for good and sinco that time has been unable to engage in any gainful occupation and is at tho present time wholly disabled for work. Several doctors testified in the cas to the effect that the Appellee is afflicted with bronchiectasis, and tliat in their opinion his condition was oausod by breathing some kind of dust or irritating nattor whilo at his work, and that in their opinion thoro is a definite causal connection between Appolloo's condition and his employment. Bronchiectasis is a disease common to tho public and oao to which tho public genomlly is exposed outside of oaploynont. It is a disoaso which sometimes follows as an incident to diseases which provoko severe and prolonged coughing such as inflamation of the lungs and bronchial tubes. Tho question to bo dooidod thorofuro is wkothor bronchiectasis is an incident of an occupational disease as defined in the Statutos. Ordinary diseases of lifo to which tho goneral public is exposed outside tho employment may not undor propor circunstanco be compensable* but that such shall bo compensable when thoy follow as an incident of on occupational disease as defined by the Statute. Tho disease of bronchioctasis followod as an incident of an inflamraation of tho lungs-and bronchial tubes which itself arose out of and in the courso of Appolleo'a employment by tho Appellant under circunstanoos consistent with the requirements of the Act. Tho award of tho Indus trial Ecard is affirmed* Chevrolet Luncic- Division of General Liotors Corporation v. Hirst. Ind. Sup. Ct. Dooidod February 1, 1943 (.CCfej. * UNEXPECTED OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE EXPOSURES DURING T/ARTHIE. J.J. Prendergast. Am. J. Pub. Health, 315, 55>-b^>5 [April, 1945j. Some materials new to industry and a larger number which have new applications are considered and solutions are given for problems arising in their uses. Recently, benzene was used in a new operation involving the polishing of reflectors. The hazard involved was removed when a satisfactory substi tute was found in a hydrogenated naphtha. Carbone tetrachloride, not previously used by the Chrysler Corporation, was found in use in a oertain operation. Conditions of use were unsatisfactory from the health standpoint but were improved when a smaller amount of trichlorethylone was substituted, with even bettor results in production. }!uch of the gasolino now sold contains lead tetraethyl. '.Yarning should be given that leaded gasoline should be used only for motor fuel and not for washing and oleaning purposes. In areas where high leaded gasolines are used, increased ventilation must be provided. An entiroly new hazard is found in a now soorot adhesive operation. Tho cement whioh has boon found to bo the causative faotor must bo investigated by patch tests. A new type of solvent used in dyeing canvas cloth and without proper aging caused some trouble related to dermatitis. A new formula was put into use, with satisfactory results. Cases of itching in women workers were found due to the use of insufficiently dried resins used in ooating wires. Bathing in sodium bicarbonatesolution gave relief. A group of men working on bronze gun parts complained of itching, the remedy for which was found in personal hygiene and a personal protective coating. An entirely different kind of exposure has developed with the increase of horsepower of airplane motors. In testing motors, the noise levels have been raised ", 02576 Lead Hygiene Bulletin No. 29 ABSTRACTS OF RECENT LITZRAU32 ON LEAD POISONING- ~ 5 from 90 to 140 decibels even though scientific methods of sound deadening rooms have been used, lien exposed to high levels of sound are given physical examinations -which include audiometer tests, complete clinical laboratory tests,-basal metabolism. r.r:d electrocardiography. The release by the War Production Board of mete.Is to fcc used as substitutes for scarcer materials gave rise to unexpected occupation:-.! disja.e expos ures. Little is known o'' the acute and chronic tonicities of some of these clem cute, particularly indium and osmium. Thedeteroination of hazards which might r,suit from their use is Important. TETRYL- Industrial Data Sheet Ho. D-Chem. 43. National Safety Council. N.-.t. Safety tSii-".. `.'-4. i* (April, 1943). Tetryl is the comeroin.1 name of trimtro un-jayi- neohyl'n: tr v.: no ena is used as a booster charge in shells, between the fulmns.to of mercury of l.oc.a ?z::.de detonator and the high explosive charge. Its'hazards arc; (a) explosion and fire; (b) dermatitis; (c) discoloration of the skin and hair; and (d) possible sy.-iJ enic poisoning. It is more sensitive to shook or friction than TNT and may detonate if burned in largo quantities. It must be kopt away from detonators, blasting fuses, dynamite, and from possible sources of static olcctricity. The health hazards arise Mostly from the dust, which may cause dermatitis., discoloration of skin and hair, ana possibly systemic poisoning. A number of other substances used in the manufacture of tetryl aro' also toxic. As a cause of dermatitis, tetryl is a sensi tizer rather than a primary irritant. Workers with severe primary dermatitis should be permanently removed from contact with tetryl. Discoloration of the skin and, hair is not pathologic and tho time color reappears after cessation of exposure. Opinion is divided on the presence dnd symptoms of systemic poisoning. Direct contact is not necessary for systemic poisoning.Control measures include a maximum temperature of 72?, humidity between 40 and 60#j hoods for exhaust systems enclosing as muoh of the process as possible, cleaning of places where the dust may accumulate and personal protection, including clothing, respirators and skin creams. Education cf workers and strict supervision are neoessary. UEASPRSEEHT OF INDUSTRIAL LEAD EXPOSURE BY D3TERHIKATION OF STIPPLING OF TEE ERT^HROCYlfeS. L.Y/ Banders. J. Ind. Hyg. U Tox., 2b, (February, 1343). Ever since the discovery that stippled erythrocytes occur in cases of lead poisoning, their presence or absence has often- been considered positive evidence of the presence or absence of lead in the blood, although that view 3ias never been justified by experi mental evidence. It is known that these altered cells occur in other pathologic states than those produced by the absorption of lead. One question is the presence of stippled colls in tho blood r>f normal, unexposod individuals. The author examined the blood of 2,231 petroleum rofinery employees without load oxposure and found stippled colls absent in 67.5#, but in 9.5% more than the 500 per million frequently cited as tho uppor limit of normal occurrenoe. A study of a smaller group of nodical students gave similar results. In tho few individuals studied fren day to day, tho stippled cell count showod an- irrogular daily variation. Another question is whoihor lead absorption can occur without producing changos in tho orythrocytes. Tho author's results show that tho condition is often presont in the early stages of oxposuro, but that tho numbor of stippled colls increases with prolonged oxpocure. It is apparont from theso rosults that ncithor nogativo nor positivo qualitative results arc diagnostic. Positivo rosults are diagnostic in tho individual only in oxtrenely high numbers - for instonoo over 1000 stippled colls por million in group findings, or- '>000 por million in individuals. The sizo of the b-.sophilic granules contributor, nothing to tho knowledge of tho causative faotor in the production of tho stippling. ^ B 02977 Lead Hygiene Bulletin Ho* 29 ABSTRACTS 0? RECENT LITERATURE ON LEAD POISONING B- 6 EXPERKENTAL STUDIES ON LEAD ABSORPTION AND EXCRETION AND THEIR RELATION TO THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATLIENT 0^ LEAD POISONING* RA Kehco and others* J Ind ayg. l - Tex,, 25, 71--7*9 (T'ekru'ary, 1943;* ' IWo human subjects were given lead orally in the fern of soluble salts, one 2 ng. per day for 23 months and the other lag. daily for 50 months (of 23 days), in addition to the lead normally ingested with food. The lead in urine and blood increased rather irregularly but with an unmistakable trend, finally reach ing a value associated with lead poisoning in the subject receiving 2 mg* daily, al though there were no symptoms or stippled erythrocytes. After discontinuance of the lead ingestion, the blood and urinary lead concentrations fell back nearly to their normal values in IS months. Calculation of urinary lead output gave similar relations, complicated by the effect of seasonal volume changes. Determination of fecal lead showed that 1.94 ;ng. out of a total intake of 2,31 mg. was excreted leaving less than 20% of the total to enter the blood stream* This quantity increased during periods of constipation. During a two months period after discontinuance tho output exceeded the intako slightly and thereafter they woro equal* Therefore there was no appreciable elimination from the tissues through tho alimentary canal* Similar results woro ob tained with the subjoct taking 1 mg. of lead daily, but tho amount retained was slight ly loss in proportion. Intako and output were nearly balanced for a control subject on a normal diot. Toward `the end of the load administration for tho second subject, various dietary changes woro tried for a month each; (l) addition of largo quantities of milk; (2) large quantitios of pootinj (3) large dosos of ascorbic acid; (4) a diet low in calcium and phosphorus; (5) a diet low in calcium and high in phosphorus, plus sodium phosphate; (6) a diet high in calcium and low in phosphorus, plus calcium lactato, and (7) a normal diot with a dose of calcium lactate in tho morning and sodium phosphate in tho ovening. Thoso factors had little or no offoct on tho re tention of load, and tho variations in urinary load output wore but littlo greater than those that oocurrcd spontaneously. Administration of largo dosos of ammonium chloride for a poriod during elimination of load likewiso had not significant offeot. Several practical conclusions are evident from tho results roported. First, tho importance of tho duration of load exposure is obvious. Progressive accumulation occurs during ex posure, at a rate doponding on the degree of exposure. When exposure ceases, tho lead begins to loavo tho body, but elimination requires a longer time than absorption. In the absonoo of adcauato control of load exposure, rotation of jobs is desirable. Second good alimentation is neoessary in order to limit the absorption of lead from the gastroentoric tract. Third, plonty of water should be taken. Fourth, a woll-balanced diet is dosirablo, but special additions do not appear to be of vnluo. Finally, it is apparont that tho elimination of tho toxic agent from tho body is accomplished spontaneously over a considerable period of time* There is grave doubt that this elimination canbe matalally accelerated by artificial means; not that sono form of doleading nay not be practical, but that lead metabolism is exceedingly staclo and not greatly influenced by gross changes in tho acid-base equilibrium or by tho calcium and phosphorus motabolisn. THE PLASIIA-CSIL PARTITION OF BLOOD LEAD. K. Banbach, R.A. K aoe and M.A. Logan. J. Pharmacol., 76, 3ZG-33Y ^iy4<!;. Adult rabbits were given lead acetate in their diet. At least SOJoTf the total blood lead is found in the cell fraction, and there is no significant difference between arterial and venous blood in this report. The use of heparin, potassium oxalate or sodium citrate does not cause any significant change in the lead plasma-oell partition. When lead chloride solution is added to heparinized whole blood from normal rabbits, most of the lead is quickly taken up by the cells, but when lead ohloride is added to heparinized normal plasma, the reactivity of the lead is changed, so that when the cells are returned to the plasma the removal of the lead is retarded and 24 hours are required for the cells to take up 75% of the addod lead. These facts indicate that there is a rapid reaction between lead and some constituent of the colls which takos precedence over the reaction that occurs In plasma in the absence of cells. Le*d Hygiene Bulletin No* 29 ABSTRACTS OF RECENT LITERATURE ON LEAD POISONING. c--7 HEALTH OF LEAL-EXPOSED STORAGE BATTERY WORKERS. W.C. Dreessen. J. Ind. Hyg. u Tox., 25, 60-70 (^February, following a preliminary survey of 26 storage battery manufacturing establishments, the U.S. Public Health Service made environmental studies in 13 plants and nodical studies in 6 plants, all representative of those in the in dustry. Of the 766 storage battery v/orkers, 177 were found to be affected with "early plumbism," including 168 cases of lead absorption and 9 of incipient plunbisn. The percentage with early plunbisn increased with the extent of expo sure,* from 4% to a concentration of 0.75 ng. lead per 10 cu*m. to 54% to nore than 3 ag. per 10 cu.m. Blood lead and urinary lead were higher on the average in the lead-affected workers, end increased with increased exposure. Albuminuria was twioe as frequent among the lead- affected as among tho normal workers. Arterial hypertension and arterio-sclorotic- hypertensive heart disease wero not significantly nore frequent. T/ido ranges of load exposure whero found in the workrooms of the plants. Actual exposure of workmen is variable and may be reduced by good engineering practices. INDUSTRIAL LEAD POISONING AS A CLINICAL SYlTDROifB. 7T.F. Asho. J.Ind. Hyg. & Tox., 25, 3'5-5S (f'cVruc.ry, 1^43} The author iscuaoos the signs and symptoms of load poisoning and presents a tablo showing thoir relative occurrence. In 30 cases of lead poisoning studied before subsidenoo of an acute episode, weakness occurred in all 30, weight loss in 27, followed by constipation, colio, anorexia, abdominal pain, arthralgia and a num ber of other symptoms. Tho most frequent physical signs wore lead lino o-nd pyorrhea (in 20) followed by extensor weakness of wrists, malnutrition, and abdominal tenderness (in 11), and several others. The most useful sign was tho contrast botweon tho general strong appoaranco of the men and thoir weaker performance* The condition was not generally indicated definitely by erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin content or leuoocyto counts. Stipplod orythrooytos varied from 720 to 16,000 per million. Tho load content of tho blood, urine and focos wero woll abovo normal. Such findings are not in them selves diagnostic, but show that abnormal concentrations aro uniformly found in tho prosonco of symptoms and signs of intoxication. LIVER INJURY, ESPECIALLY CIRRHOSIS, IN ARSENIC POISONING. P. Roessing. Arch. f. Gewerbepath. u. (Sewerbehyg., 11, 131-14Z (December 31, 1^41 (German). A review of the literature on arsenic poTsoning with special reference to liver injury leads to the conclusion that the liver is frequently affected, but that the nature of the injury varies. Clinical, pathological and histological investigations have shown great variability in acute poisoning, injury of the retioulo-endothelial system, desquamation and necrosis of the liver cells, various stages of acute yellow atrophy; in chronic poisoning, disappearance of glycogen, fatty infiltration, cell necrosis, reparative and regenerative changes, congestion of the bile ducts, periportal hyperplasia. From these findings it seems unlikely that true cirrhosis is a result of pure arsenic poisonings. In most of tho cases reported, arsenic has not been the sole toxic agent; also involved are alcohol, nicotine, lead, copper, caffeine, metabolic and intestinal disturbances. Animal experiments are not entirely reliable, since in many animals latent liver injury, such as coooidiosis in rabbits, causes a predisposition to experimental lesions by tox ic agents. Cirrhosis of tho liver is considered essentially a chronic progressive hepatitis, affecting tho liver cells and produced by toxic agents, in small doses over long poriods. A typical case of cirrhosis, caused by a combination of factors, with arsenic and load predominating, is that of a worker engaged in tho manufacture of lead and calcium arsenate, with some exposure also to dinitro-ortho-cresol. He developed symptoms whioh were first diagnosed as lead poisoning, later as cirrhosis with ascites.. The opinion that arsenic was the chief toxic agent was basod on the presence of melanosis, hyperkeratosis, intestinal symptoms and a greatly increased content of arsenic in tho hair. Load, and to a slighter degree, dinitro-ortho-cresol wero con sidered contributory factors. Tho author boliovos that tho combined cumulative offoct of several toxic agents on tho livor is greater than that of any single agent and that arsonic alone, cspocially in the cirrhosis often found in wino dressors, cannot be considered a primary cirrhosis-producing agent. # Lead Eygieno Bulletin No. 29 ABSTRACTS OF RECENT LITERATURE ON LEAD POISONING B- 8 THE POSSIBLE TOXICITY OF LEAD ALLOYS. ! EXPERIMENTS ON THE RAT WITH SOLDER. G.R. Ccwgill and ~K Salomon. J Ind. Hyg. & Tox., 23, 61-89 (.March, 1^43). The investigation reported was concerned with the effects of netallio lead and its alloys on animals, on which very little is known. Young ruts received 300 parts of lead per million of diet in the fora of solder pellets containing 55.57^ of lead. They proved to te cuite similar to the control group fed an identical diet but no lead, with respect to growth, concentration of blood hemoglobin ani the appearance of stippled cells, and amount of lead stored in their bodies. Rats fed an identical amount of lead in the fora of load acetate exhibited all the usual signs of lead poisoning, and their car casses contained large amounts of lead. It is therefore concluded that ingested solder of the composition used is non-toxic for the young rat. THE POSSIBLE TOXICITY OF LEAD ALLOYS. II. EXPERIMENTS ON THE DOC- WITH SOLDER. E. Salomon and G.ri. Cowgill. JY 3nd. Hyg. Tox., , 1-97 (.lim-ch. 1943}. Solder in pellet fora had been found non-toxic to rats, (see preceding abstract), but since rodents are known to be relatively resistont to lead it was desirable to work with animals whoso sensitivity to lead is more nearly comparable to that of man. According ly puppies were used in this study. They were fed an artificial diet with a low caloium content, favoring the absorption of lead. One group of puppies was housed in stainless stool oagos and tho intake of the diet was equalized. The animals wore compared with respect to gains in body woight, concentrations of hemoglobin arri. lead in the blood, number of stippled colls, and polychromatic staining orytlirocytos, nnd amount of lead present in the entire body as well as in a representative bone. On the basis of the data obtained tho authors conclude that tho load present in tho fora of solder is only modoratoly absorbod by the puppy, although to a greater extent than in rats* No signs of load poisoning could be elicited in tho animals receiving such pollots* LEAD POISONING IN SCRAP RECOVERY PLANTS. 111. Lab. Bull., 3, 8-9 (Beoenber 31, 1942). kishandling of load scrap in recovery plants has caused a number of lead poisoning casos. Causes are carelessness, lack of local exhaust, and poor housekeeping. Air analysis often show concentrations racing from 2.5 to 760 mgs. per 10 cu. m. With adoquato control those concentrations are brought within safe limits. Tho ineffeotivonoss of rospirators and biological provontivo moasuros is onphasized. DANGER OF LEAD POISONING THROUGH THE ADDITION OF LEAD TETRAETHYL TO 1I0T0R FUEL. H. V/aniek. Arch. f. Gewerbepath. u. ^ewerbehyg., il, i6o-i69 (December 31, 194.1;.(German) The purpose of the article is to differentiate between lead poisoning due to tetraethyl and classical lead poisoning, though the author admits that the toxic aotion of tetra ethyl is a funotion of its lead content. Neurological symptoms, due to the fatsoluble effect of tetraethyl on central nervous tissue nay be accompanied and even obscured by the more usual sjoptoms of lead poisoning in workers exposed to the car bonized residue of lead tetraethyl, which has lost its fat solvent capacity. The case is described of a worker exposod not only to tetraethyl lead added to benzine but also to the carbonized residue. Symptoms, called subjoetive, and including headache, weakness, loss of sleep, etc. were regarded as evidence of chronic totraethyl lead poisoning} others, such as a blue line on the guns, punctate basophilia, ooproporphy** rinuria, and colic as evidence of true lead poisoning caused by inhalation of the lead containing dust of the carbonized residue. 1 Lead Hygime Bulletin Mo* 29 s ABSTRACTS OF RECENT LITERATURE ON LEAD POISONING B-9 DANGER OF LEAS 5SKZIN5. H* Kraut and G Lehmann. Aroh* f Gewercepath. u# Gewerbehyg,, j.1, 25-295 (December 51, 1941)* (German). A series of animal experiments was under"Eaken in order to estimate how far and under what conditions danger to health is to be apprehended from the use of benzine containing lead tetraethyl* Previous investi gation by Kehoe have shown that 1 cc. of pure lead tetraethyl applied to the shaven skin of a rabbit is lethal* In the present investigation, dilute solutions in gaso line were applied to the skin of rabbits and guinea pigs. Sono loss in body weight was obtained with rabbits as the subjects; the results with guinea pigs wore incon clusive. In all experiments, in which tho animals inhaled lead tetraethyl vapor and exhaust gases, the results were completely negative, in spontaneous death rate, blood picture, nervous reactions and nusole chronaxia* Chemical analysis of the ashed animals showed a measurable accumulation only with the application to tho skin cf tho 1J* solution and no sign of true lead poisoning. The author concludes that there is in man no danger of lead poisoning to be apprehended fren expoauro to exhaust gases; that the danger to persons employed in normal garagos and tank factories is inconsiderable (tho cleaning of tanks is not dealt with); and that it is doubtful if any practical danger to health from lowered resistance is likoly with the relatively low concentra tions actually in uso* THE EFFECTS OP ASCORBIC ACID IN RELATION TO LEAD ABSORPTION* E.E. Evans, 7f.D. Norwood, R*A. Kehoe and W* Hachle. J.A.U.A., Izl, 501-564 February 13, 1943). Ascorbic acid nutrition in workers in a large plant was found to be poor in general, but mostly, so in lead workers. Careful study of a large group of lead workers to whose diet 100 mg* of ascarbio was added daily revealed no effect on the lead concentration in the blood, elimination in feces or urine, physical condition of tho men, number and severity of complaints, numbers of erythrocytes or stippled erythrocytes, or in the hemoglobin. Therefore no reason has been found for recommending the use of ascorbic acid to counteract the effects of lead absorption. POLARIGRAPIIIC DETEHimiATION_0F LEAD ST BOIES. E. TTeinig. 2. Physiol. Chen., 273, 156-152 (1942). ^German,), fhe polarigraphic method, which is fully described, has the advantages of use of smaller amounts of material, simpler preliminary treatment of the bone ash, and the automatio action of tho polarigraph. LIST 0? RBSIIRaTORY PROTECTIVE DEVICES APPROVED BY THE BUREAU 0? HINES. H.H. Schrenk. U.S. Bur. Of lanes Ini', dire., iro, V237,. UiarcK, l94i3j. 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