Document jm3p0oNgxGr0X255Jy15oX2q9

mative materials to asbestos should be used whenever possible. A proposal to mix ^ith tarmacadam for road use Is viewed with concern. -- APCA Absts. i*'1*** \-0ce: Regarding 554-566, Interested readers are referred :o the Editorial in the May and IHF Medical Series Bulletins .Vo. 11 ar.d 12 which report progress and planning ^'-'""asbestos bioeftects research. -- R. T. P. deT. ^ j-mioloaY and Clinical Features of A3bestosis and Related Diseases. P. C, Elmes. XSSJ^rTled. J. rjstgraa. 623-635 (Oct. l66). nonary fibrosis caused by asbestos dust has become less common since the introduction of '*,rn uopresssion measures in 1952-33. However, in occupations where these safety measures ^ observed, asbestosls is still a threat. Symptoms of asbestosls are breathlessness on Jf<rtlon, productive cough, tightness In the chest, clubbing of fingers, warts, cyanosis, restricted "''at movement, kyphosis, and tine rales heard over the lung bases. Changes in x-rays are '*t conclusive, since they also occur with other forms of chronic diffuse fibrosis Involving the " an- h` laboratory tests except lung biopsy are diagnostic of asbestosls but sputum examin ed on and respiratory function tests help to support the diagnosis. Carcinoma of the lung result* t from exposure to asbestos appears to be common in patients whose exposure to the dust was insufficiently long or Intense to cause crippling fibrosis. The rapidly Increasing number of esses of fatal mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum have been definitely traced to exposure to asbestos dust. The degree of exposure In many cases Is slight and there can be a long interval between exposure to the pollutant and the development of the tumor. Preventive measures re commended are restriction of use and greater precaution in the handling of all types of asbestos. Crocidolite fiber, in particular, should be eliminated from commercial use. -- APCA Absts. 1 abestos--An Environmental Health Hazard. W. D. Norwood. P. A. Fuqua and T. F. Mancuso. vnrthwest Med. 66, 82i (Sept., 1967). Four Case Reports demonstrate asbestosis with pulmonary emphysema and cor pulmonale, as- bestosta with lung cancer, mesothelioma, and rectal cancer. The occupational histories of workers as plumbers, boiler makers, carpenters, pipe fitters, steam fitters, mechanics, stationary engineers, undercoaters, foremen, maintenance electricians, builders, rubber workers, construction workers, cement workers, boiler repairers, sheet metal workers and laborers must all be elicited if diagnosticians hope to record the more than 3, 000 different exposures to asbestos. For the sake of workers and their dependents with industrial health compensation rights, the diagnostician must not be misled by recent occupational history nor overlook other work exposures within the lifetime of'the patients. The obvious need for de creasing the exposure to asbestos by better occupational hygiene programs is recognized but no detailed criteria were presented. Considering the growing uses of asbestos, this occupational and environmental disease may get worse before it gets better. -- J. Occ. Med. Absts. Talc in Atmospheric Dusts. H. Windom. J. Griffin, and E. D. Goldberg. Environ. Sci. Tech. L 923-926 (Nov. 1967). The mineral talc has been observed in dusts recovered directly from the atmosphere and in the solid mineral phases of rain and snow. The talc, where detected, attains levels of the order of a per cent by weight in the solid phases. This talc probably arises from agricultural activity where the mineral is used as a carrier and diluent for pesticides. The amounts of talc found in atmospheric dusts appear to reflect a local introduction rather than a generalized global fall out. Measurement of Asbestos Exposure. J. R. Lynch and H. E. Ayer. -- APCA Absts. J. Occ. Med. J_9, 21-24 (Tan., l^oS). As an outcome of an epidemiologic study, a safe level of exposure should be set in terms of a method of exposure measurement which rr.eet3 the following criteria in the order given: (11 The environmental factor measured should be sufficiently relevant to the disease mechanism to correlate with health status ever. In environments where exposures to mixed dust occur. (21 The sensitivity of the method should be such as to measure levels well below the Threshold Limit Values (TLV1. (31 The method should lend itself to an appropriate sampling strategy: e.g.. long-period personal samples In the case o: asbestos. (41 The expense of conversion from existing methods should be reasonable. The impinger method of measuring asbestos exposure does not meet ar.v of the criterta well with the exception of exoense. `.Velght methods would be Preferred if there were an ar.alvtica. brea/tt.-.r 'ugh. At present .'.her counts on membrane filters are the best method -ir.maiir.t exposure u re.ated to the ris* : asbestosis ar.d the a:ro"rr.e fiber c or.cer.trar.on as a :aot;r the risk . career. There are s references. -- Cor.d from text.