Document ga8zz4nyBDBme85Nbjkv5jdw9

Report on nodical examination of men'iron Lowe Brothers, Inc. plant at Layton,. Ohio, exposed, to: lead, silica, silicates and volatile solvents. - Lead cxu osure ; .. . Eighteen men exposed to lead dust at tie plant of Lowe Brothers, Inc., at Dayton, Ohio were examined at the Kettering Laboratory in August, $6, The examination was designed to assess the general health of the men, and to establish as far as possible the presence or absence of any disaffection relates to occupation, particularly lead- intoxicatio To this end occupational and medical histories were taken, symptomatology was studied, a complete physical examination, . including neurological examination and chest fluoroscopy, . was performed, certain laboratory tests to indicate the presence or absence of infection or disease of she kidneys or blood forming organs ware carried out, and exposure to lead as measured by the lead concentrations of toe blood and urine, . w appraised. . ; :' Of the eighteen men, five were found who had physical disease that needed attention and made them undue, risks for work in an hazardous tr-de. 'here was no evidence that their lead, silica, silicabe or solvent exp.sure had contributed to the conditions from which they suffered. These men were " whos:: X-ray ana laboratory findings could be interpreted as evidence of active pulmonary tuberculosis who had severe and extensive varicose veins and a Job in which he was liable to tramatise theraj .who was so m e w h a t deaf, and' suffering fro,:;; certain additional defects that might possibly be best treated by a competent psychiatristj whose'''fatigability, evidence of malnutrition anc chest X-ray might be interpreted as: evidence of active pulmonary tuberculosis, and whose symptoms were sufficiently ; . suggestive of heart disease to contraindicate M s lifting or climbing stairs, and to indicate the advisability of further stud;/ by his family physician. : ' Hone of the IB men, had symptoms.suggestive of;~ead intoxication. 1he levels of. lead concentration, in the blood : anu urine cf uae ir.em.bers of this group were double those of men n&vin no occupational lead exposure '{Mg. 1 '.ana 2}. - There was no clinically or statistically significant difference oetween m e two groups representing tne years 19 M> ana i p M . f l 'it.1c*i*. U 1* -L w _*1i_ \i} ;eu.uc -none of the h individuals common to both groups snowed any significant difference in the- lead concentracio; in either bloo~ or urine (Table 2} on the two occasions. These analytical findings suggest that the intensity of tne recent lead exposure has not differed appreciably from hat of 1940 before the exhaust ventilation was installed. The two sets of analytical data are consistent -with the clinical findings on both,occasions, and with the. previous and intervening experience of the plant, with respect to the incidence of lead poisoning, for it Is to be expected in & group of men with this degree of exposure that an occasional man, either because of his working habits or the nature cf 5" " his particular, job, 'woulu absorb to ie amounts of lead, out thatmost of the men would be free of any evidence of lead intoxication* l`he facts that all the men are now free of symptoms suggestive of intoxication, that the air analyses have shown that safe working conditions can obtain, and that 7 the potential hasard has not changed in these six years, indicates that th occurrence of an occasional case of lead Intoxication.is not a necessary concomitant to the plant operations. At the end of the report will be suggestions designed;: to prevent the occurrence cf occasional intoxication. hilica and silicate exposure .. ' Free silica is not an ha aax1;i at the plant, since t <: -L L .s - not contained' to an appreciable extent In any of the raw materials. . Considerable.quantities of combined silica are >. ; used , in .the fora of asbestine, We 'have ..been 'informed ,. . by Mr. v:. h. .i'asig . that the asbestine used at the plant is a form .of talc; ''tremolite Is. undoubtedly the parent mineral, *" . ... . . .`William Siegel, A. Smith and L, Greenberg have reported (Study of talc miners and`millers. Industrial Bulletin 22, #11 ana #12, Eq v . and Dec., 1945) their observations on workers mining and milling talc in- St. Lawrence County, K. X, They conclude from, evidence which we consiaer adequate, that #,this i,tudy identified: tremolite tale as a silicate dust capable, like asbestos, of causing a disabling pneumonoconlosis. It reveals distinctive pathological findings associated with .exposure .to.-t'remdlite -'dust talc which postulate a special 'ethology. fox* the resulting uiseasef. There 'is also evidence, that tremollte talc fibrosis is associated with increased . susceptibility to tuberculosis, In m e light of these findings,, exposure,to tremolito talc dust- must ice considered to . constitute a definite industrial hassard requiring control of dust b y 'suitable -engineering methods.51 . Twenty-three men were examined with respect to this hazard, Among these, eighteen were hue mixers ana.. receivers referred to above in connection with -lead'exposure; : : two men, -were exposed ,to volatile- solvents; and -j wen, m & i a m i ana were in the receiving .deparcmsnt. Tnc same type of clinical and laboratory observation outlined above iii relation to lead exposure,, were caro-ied v u out .on all these men except the three last named, 'in waose cases tne leau analyses 'ana/ examination of blood smears for stippling were omitted, ana other* means of atuuy were -limited. - tc star osoowic "i-uf exahinatioiiS- of 'the chest , all the- . . had stereoscopic chest X-ray examinations, iii cue anu ^ | H K l of this last group, had' fluoroscopic chest examinations, Kc symptoms-: o.r 3tfray evidence of pneumonoconiosis were, found 'in any of these sen. This same conclusion resulted from the study of a group of 15 .similarly exposed employees of Lowe Brothers.Co, in -l^O. , .- ' ' It is. concluded that the ..hasard of pneumonoconiosis at the plant is satisfactorily controlled by measures now in force. 5 Vola Elle solvents All of tue mixers and some .of the worxraen in other- occupati.oris, ars exposed to various volatile solvents and irritating fumes. The exposure of &nci< are considered the most1'significant because of the nature of their jobs and the'extent of their exposure to benzol a nd e thylene ai chloride. These tiaree men, also and. and the eighteen mixers and receivers were examined as outlined previously, with special emphasis upon the detection of possible si gn-: or symptoms of disease of the kidneys, 'liver or'-blood-forming organs, certain special studies ware carri eu out uoon the formed elements of the blood' of the first named three meri, together with test3 of their liver function, - ` :. " . .With- one exception of anc it as con-siacred that none of the men gave evidence that . their exposure to solvents was mors inan a nuisance, if that, ' W * a'-'thin,..-aging- man, seemed to have had . t;ie greatest potential exposure to benzol and ethylene dichloride. Through an operating error on one occasion, ue had been exposed to -solvents to such a degree as to develop .symptoms of intoxication. At the-time of- nis' examination, he was found to have a number of .nild abnormalities, some of which might be interpreted as related to hazardous solvent exposure, but none of which seemed to have caused any disability. Meversnoless it is felt, because of the nature of the operations he is handling, as well as his physical condi tion, that the oprt ion should be redes!gned to give 0003335 6- - a I'ieater factor of safety and that oe is an undue risk at tae operation, has the single, possibly trivial, abnormality of a slight.elevation in serum bilirubin, ho is otherwise in excellent condition* dJriis finding shoula not b communicated to him because It is probably of no clinical significanee, and might give rise t o ;unjustified and unnecessary anxiety on iiis part. It is suggested that ne and certain other men might be rechecked periodically, . 'has- certain symptoms that might, more properly be referred to tho aging process than to exposure to solvents. It would seem that ae is an undue risk for such exposure, he oh.vala be followed by. .ais family physician "after 'a. stereoscopic -x-ray:'examiRatior! of the chest is obtained, ; y " has- had symptoms which he attributed to solvent exposure in c ic past. It Is felt because of his emotional . susceptibilities that no saoulo be kept .from solvent exposure in the future, . , _ Lcroleii ihis nasara has not. been evaluated as yet, Sumraar;f ana recommendation si h, Tue .leau. hazard Is '.essentially.as it was at the. time of the previous.survey, 1 The potential hazard is appreciable, but the , actual hazard is small under the present and previous conditions In the? plant. 7- - _ Because occasional cases of leas, intoxication.. ; ; may occur and. nave occurred under- chase conditions, the 'following,.operating 'changes are' recor/jnended; (1) That tne frequency of nouse-cleaning be increased., a. yacuum syetea being, employed to remove dusts which accumulate on the floor, . _ rafters, and equipment; (d) Thar raen no load mixers or ball mills with. .leaded zinc and pigments containing asbestine . be required to wear dust masks while emptying . bags of these, materials.; : , .. (5 ), That:the men who work cn. the: baling machine also be equipped with dust masks; (q.) Two masks are .to be individual, kept in ; indivlaual cabinets separate from the work clothes, and cleaned, properly maintained .. ana irispte,'-w e e k ly in. these cabinets by , g , one .an properly supervised ana indoctrinated . in tae care of.oust masks. ,/ (5) hat tne severity of the potential exposure to le&d-bearing and other dusts on the mixing floor be determined again in the . : . winter time in.order to gauge seasonal ,, . variations. () xhs minimum amount.' or medical control required to protect the an 'against, the actual nazard should be initiated. It is believed -fa* .itik__ that the collect ion ana analyses of suitable samples of blood and- -urine- fox*.'their lead "content, together with, a brief interview "f of each man by a'qualified Internist, will "stiffice for this purpose if both are carried , out, at Intervals of six months B. The .hazard. of .pneumchoconiosis at the plant is adequately controlled under the present operating conditions. The 'present -control measures should, be continued. , 0. The hazard of exposure to volatile solvents is adequately controlled, '-except:for certain' conditions indicated beloVf, for wnicfi corrective measures are suggested. (1) Th operations in-connection with'the manufacture of paint removers should'be aoaifiea to give greater safety to trie operator,,, ana tne operator should be experienced,...carefully- supervised, ar; \r. good healthf 1 ' ,i ,f (m) This operator and tne solvent mixer (how. : should'be examined by suitable clinical and laboratory methods every six .a .. months to insure the absence of damage to ' f:i f ; the bloom, kidneys and liver., . (di All standpipes delivering thinner 1,.U-Xv. L-6 .' isolated within a properly designed laterally omaustsa nooa. -. (a) AIT containers ana portable tanks should be ; covered., - ' , . ` . .. ' . ' i* ! /if 00033.2'3o-fO D. Aconsiderable number of the men had physical defects wnlciij in relation.to their present occupations, might . : :be expected to give rise to undue hazard to themselves, trielr fellow workers, or the company. ."Those ien brerr , ___ _ t rnffibsi* of th@ remaining m en had -major' ana -.minor abnormalities for which they should: receive medical advice. % i s indicates that she company is not 'protecting; Itself adequately . against such.risks. .It is suggested that . {1} pre-employment and periodic examinations of : all the men exposed; to dust or solvents , snouid i-e instituted. Pre-employment- . : examinations should be .comprehensive. Periodic .'examinations' snouid include a ` .. . ... v; hf-ie.fi.''physical".' e x a m i n t ioh, as which, time - a fev- p e r t i n e n t questions; can be askec., u miniature- s t e r eoscopic x -ray film: oi toe chest taken, 'the urine examine-, un a tne . specific g r a v i t y of the 'blood- determined. L . :[`ne acrolein nazard will be reported on later, n ep o -y>-t~ w sa O .aU -.. ' sr>'t,v r j * H e n r ^ i i .i j T C l f ? jJ p * XJ m m - i t # i ^ S~i 9 I f * , . Date: Septemcex' JO, 19-4-^ - . ; - Apox'ovea hobert h. Director 1 * .h ehoe't V M.b, 00Q3S3 ----- - ._______ . _nk._____ Table 1 Group and Date ' ' i8: mixers and receivers, 1946 -a.`f :ixiiu <Jii DO iVO 131'UC* UCii .1: Loxarltnn of biood Po, mp.; Blood Pb, m n . : fciean-s . itanaan; T.eviatioh- leo-'atric Meane 3.70 - 10 (+0,0 22) 0.093 O.Olo 0 .0 50 _4 5 ,1^ llj. mixers and receivers, 19 U-0 , 3 * 7 0 - 1 0 (+0 .Q2 6 ) 8 varnish and lacquer workers, 1930 and 19^3 3 * 5 9 - 1 0 .. Kettering controls (men v;ithou t occupa 11ana1 lead exposure) 8 .Jd6 ~ 10 (O'.Oil) 0 .0 99 0 .0 19 0.050 + 5.73 O.O39 0.033 + 0 .0 0 8 : 0 .023:3 + 2 .9/t Logarithm, of Urine Pb, m.:-. /L Urine Pu, m:A 1:3 mixers and receivers, 194-6 I4.mixers and receivers, 194-0 ". 3 * 7 6 - 1 0 (+O.0 55) ' 3 .8 4 - 10 (+0 .0 53) 0 ,2 1 + 0033 0 .2 0 + 0 ,0 35 0 ,0 58 + 7 .0^ XjmO'Oy J25 ^ ji- 3 varnish and lacquer workers, 194-0 and '.946 Kettering controls (men without occupational lead exposure) -K- and stand&ru error 8 ,6 4 -. 10 ; _ ' . ' ' ''.' ':; L'oUiiii;- ' ' ` ' ' )1( 8 .39 3 - 10 (+0 .0 22) 0 .220 + 0 .0 15 | 0 ,02n.'f' _+ 9.63. -- -- 1----:--- :--- 3i-i K E " 0003S40 imooci o5o*o 6+f0*0 90 * 90*0 ...v : v:.-'V.':Y 9 r t.iW. Oi***7 ..i s; Ii z n o*o :9o* 90*0 01 e0 b1]0*0 0*0 ' TO*0 o*o 90*0 90 *0 "10*0 o*o go*o 90 *0 "79rs>c?t7>,Vt" 0*0 U J'O'AT?<CT 'q< r`OOTa -V 9^t~ PU13 01761 ut 'tTpnas U33 h yUTptTj xB0!3--TBUV 'mmlm- FFF CB/ v r OF M EM jL___ o b M ba/ P e r Ce n t P R O e i T - / .OS C u f / C E L / T F A T I O M O / A & E A M CU / - i J.AT!V lS F R E Q U E / v e y D/ A T E J B U r/ OAJ O E U h / K E L o w e B e o s . AI/ x e e s a k d R e c e / v e a s .BA D BP SO ../6 2.S Figur* 2.. TOIE LEAD 1^ ^ 0003843