Document gDj5eoLvRjN9zMxqNM1RKpoxJ

/ T**-***'*^ *riH ./ /n ps+is 2-1 ' V>!S V-C-/ ~<J * t> "iU, COMMENTARY _ Cola-colored Babies. Chlorobiphenyl Poisoning in Japan JtOHEKT W. MILIEU L*;i(Ioin`cln{?i/ DrAiich, Nflliowd C/mrcr Jnttilnlc, llcthcidu, M<iri/ltnnl 20014 In June 19GS`a 3-ycar-old girl with an cord (Kikuchi ct ah, *69). The seven live- ocnrlikc skin eruption was seen at the born infants weighed between 1800 and Kyushu University Hospital in Fukuoka 2930 g; five were considered to be small- City, h was learned thni both her parents for-clate babies (Taki ct ah, 'G9). A battery and an older sister were similarly affected of laboratory tests showed no abnormali (Kaisuki, 'GO). Within 7 months, 325 such ties. The discoloration of the skin faded eases were identified in Fukuoka Prefecture within a few months. (Kuratsune cl ah, '69). Household aggre During pregnancy each of the mothers gation was pronounced, with an average of three cases per family. ' The skin eruption was typical of that cattsc by chlorinated organic compounds, and was quickly traced to a particular brand of cooking oil made from rice bulks. Certain lots of the. oil, it was learned, had become contaminated with tctraehlmobi- bad ingested contaminated rice oil for at least 11 weeks, all but one beginning in the first trimester. The exception wax a women who had used the oil from the 23rd-36th weeks of her pregnancy, Al though the chlorinated hydrocarbon had passed through the placenta during or- jv.v..yf cJ.M* ICO). 'H;,.. ...d;.;;,;;,Cv", fanot'cnosis. the only abnormality found contained in pipes immersed, in the oil, during infancy was staining of the skin. was used in one of the purification pvoc*'l In conversation, Japanese physicians have esses of the oil, as a heat-transfer agent. referred to these children as tola-colored PJn-si/cd boles had developed in the pipes, babies. permitting leakage to occur (lliruhata, in The autopsy of one of the stillborn chil press). In consequence, the cooking oil dren has been reported (Kikuchi ct ah. contained 1000-1900 ppm of organic *63). Histological examination revealed chloride (Tsukamoto ct ah, '69). It was hyperkeratosis and atrophy of the skin, and estimated that a family of four ingested cystic dilatation of the hair follicles, par about 1.8 liters of. the oil per month (Goto ticularly of the head. Chromatographic and Higuchi, *G9). Chemical analysis re analysis of the skin disclosed the presence vealed that the chlorooiphcnyls were re of chlorobiphcnyls. tained in the adipose tissue of the patients All too often important biomedical ob for "quite a long time" (Tsukamoto ct ah. servations arc published in journals that *69). . arc not widely available. So it was with The. severity of "Yusho," as rice-oil Yusho. The June 1069 issue of Fukuoka disease is known in Japan, varied with age, Acta Mctftcfl was devoted to the many being greatest from adolescence through studies on this subject by the Faculty of 40 years (Goto and Higuchi, '69). The dis Medicine at Kyushu University. This spe order cleared when exposure to the offend cial issue contained 19 articles written in ing agent was discontinued. . Japanese, but each has a summary in Yusbo was known to have affected nine English. The only other publication to my pregnant women and their fetuses (Taki knowledge is a brief description of the ct ah, '60). At delivery the nine infants epidemic which lias been prepared by had dark brown staining of the skin, espe IJirohata for the Proceedings of the XVI cially of the groin. Two were stillborn, one International Congress on Occupational of them a premature infant who .weighed Health. Unfortunately, not only arc these .only CGO g and whose death was attributed publications difficult to obtain, but neither to intrauterine knotting of the umbilical is listed by die Index Madicua. ^ .I MONS 08H448 "U KODEUT W. MJLLEH LITEHATUHE CITED Goto, M.. and K. Mipichi ]0Gf> The symptomn* to)p|:y of Yusho (chlorobiphenyl<v poisoning) In dermatology. Fukuoka Acia"' Med., CO; `,\***` Ors-sv*^ ; **"'**' H' 400-43). Hhohiia. T. Chloroldphcnyh'poiKoninR in Jnpnn. I'loeerdinRs of Ihe XVI International Guncrew. -p on Occupational Health, In press. iVs\A [Katstiki. S. )0G0 Forewurtl. IVcjwts of the study for "Yusho" (chlorohiphcnyl^polsoninc). U 'WJ ' , , -jt <yo Fukuoka Acta Med., 00. 407. A * Kikuchi, M,, M. Hnshitnoto, M. Ho/.mni, K. Koa, S. Oyoshi and M. Napakawa 1060 An au. (opsy case of stilllnun ef chlorobiphenyls poi* soninr- Fukuoka Acia Med., 60; 460-4D5.A KuratMinc, M., Y. Morikawo, T. Jlirohaln, M. Nishitumi, S. Kohchi,, T, Yoshiniura, J. MatMtpuka, A. Yanjeuehi, N. Sariita, N. KhinUlti, K. Kuniiakc, 0. Shimono, K. Takifiawa, K. Oki. M. SnixxJa, T. Veda and M. Osaia 1900 An epidemiologic study on Yusho" or cliloroJ.iphcnyUj'oifconnn,'. Fukuoka Acia Med.. 60; 513-532. Deports of (he Study fur "Yusho" (Chlurnbiphcnyl j PuiMminR) ]<JW) Fukuoka Acla Med.. 60; -103-333. . Taki. I., S. HisnnaiM d Y. Ama^nsc lOGf) Krj/orl on Yusho (chlorohiphcnyl;; poisuninK). Precnani women and (heir fetusK. Fukuoka Acin Med.. 60; 471-474. Thitkamolu, and 33 others J.900 The ehemi* cal kindles on detection of toxic compounds In ' the rice hron uiis used by the puticnis of Yusho. Fukuoka Acta Med., 60: 400-512. . ' ' .? ' < 'it,..-. v ./.mi;* a : ;y I.I ! f,t i;'. -;i :,:-44 V i '"( : . r; r.. -.i.nui/../i m.V .'.rr'i u V- . , ; in I.*: . - t .1 ; -' i-: )l ' N. MONS 0U4449 V