Document oma766G58LVo91L9Vo2xakZj3

k'-.nii-Qo*^ - 492 - Dermatitis associated with the wearing of a mew pair of spectacles has been attributed to ethylene glycol conomethyl ether acetate used to . cement the nosepads to the frame (333.KA Bull. 19?2, 11. 96). further examples of allergy to hearing aids, the frames of sunglasses, ball-point pens and shoe resins containing cellulose esters have now bees in-eestigat**. Sioc patients with allergic contact dermatitis attributed to ceiialce* ester plastics were subjected to patch testing with the various component* of the"plastics. This demonstrated that three of the patients were allergic to resorcinol monobenmaate, which is incorporated into plastics as an ultraviolet absorber. Two others were allergic to Solvent Yellow 3 (C.I. (1956) no. 11 ISO) in a black dye, and one of these was also sensitive to Solvent Hed 26 (c.I. (1956) no.26120) in the same dye and to p-tert- butylphenol, an antioxidant. One patient reacted to the ethylene glycol Eonocethyl ether acetate used as a cement. The authors point out that the ageing of cellulose plastics and their exposure to ultraviolet radiation could result in the formation of new compounds, such as 2-hydroxybensaphenana derivatives from resorcinol monobensoate and phenyl salicylate. Thus, at least in theory, allergic contact dermatitis could be induced by a decomposition product (see p.4<?i). Coating articles with a polyurethane film has been shown to be a practical method of preventing some cases of dermatitis. v_ iCi 7// / ?, y. _/ 4 _ 2500. TwaiTT-ms tears o? tottl chloecte JCramer, C.G. & Mitchler, J.3 (1972). The correlation of clinical and 1environmental measurements r workers exposed to vinyl chloride. An. jQ,ind. Hyg. Ass. J. 19- Prolonged exposure of rats to vinyl chloride (X) at an atmospheric level of 50,000 ppm has resulted in tunours at several sites (313HA 3uli. 1972, 11. 41), while at 20,CC0 ppm liver damage and reduced spleen weight have been observed (ibid 1965, Z, 649). In. can, no adverse effects were found after exposure to 900 ?pm for 7*5 hr (ibid 1910, 2j 507) although various other studies have indicated that under certain circumstances industrial exposure to I may be associated with angioneurosis, acro- osteolysis, neurasthenia, circulatory disturbances and hepatomegaly. Tinylidene chloride (dichloroethylene; II) has caused mortality and ^ weight los3 in animal3- continuously exposed for SO days at levels of 5 j and Ip pom, and hepatic and renal damage at higher levels (ibid 1966, ]_, , 295) ' ; The present study is an assessment of the chronic effects of industrial expo rate to I and to small amounts of II in 93 ~n employed for up to 25 yr in two plants using I in polymerization processes. In the case of the most heavily exposed individuals, the time-weighted average concentration (TVAC) of I in the early part of their careers was approximately ;C0 ppm, although overall the mean TVAC varied from 155 when the study was initiated in 1950 to only 10 ppm at the end. At this latter stage, II was frequently detectable only in trace amounts, and practically always below 5 ppm- V. A, The exposed men differed in certain aspects of medical history from employees in other departments, but none of these differences was re- L. i/ fleeted in final di general health coulc I of stepwise multi?!; significance of var. regular medical exa; blood pressures, fl-; to be positively conegatively correlat obssity and the fir models for these va the icterus index r however, neither tk outside normal limi ratio is unknown, sulphthalein gave : might have been aii approximately 500 : history of hepatit: of such individual: The techadalt ars offered as a p* standards. [In line wit Industrial Hygisni for vinyl chloride however, remains a which showed no as atmospheric concer 2501. A D3SSXi'u n Eaddad, Z.H. h 2. reactions to foo. and exploration . J. Allergy 42, 2 A study va sera of 25 patie clear-cut histcr shsllfi3h, other marked by sympre occurred within The test aliquot3 of a r: chocolate, egg min. The test ca3t cells was - 493 fleeted, in final diagnostic categories and no exposure-related effects on general health could be identified. On the other hand, when the technique of stepwise nultiple linear regression analysis va3 used to assess the significance of variations in 21 clinical paraneters studied during '-nl. regular medical examinations, five parameters--systolic and diastolic blood pressures^ l-orotein, bromsulphthalein and icterus index--appeared to be positively corrSiated with TWAC and dose and one (haemoglobin) was negatively correlated. The first four parameters also correlated with obesity and the first two and haemoglobin with age. All the regression models for these variables were significant at the P = 0-001 level, except the icterus index model which was significant at the P = 0*03 level. However, neither the blood pressures nor the haemoglobin values were outside normal limits, and the significance of a change in the 3-protein ratio is unknown. Only the increases in icterus index and broasulphthalein gave some cause for concern, suggesting that liver function might have been affected after prolonged exposure to I at a TW'AC of approximately ^00 ppm. One of the cost severely affected men. had a history of hepatitis prior to exposure, indicating that prolonged contact of such individuals with I may be undesirable. The techniques used in this study are of general significance, and are offered as a possible aid in the validation of industrial hygiene standards. [in line with this study, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has lowered the threshold limit value recommended for vinyl chloride from 5GO to 200 ppm- That for vinylidene chloride however, remains at 200 ppm, on the basis of an unpublished 1955 study which showed no adverse effects in animals chronically exposed.to an atmospheric concentration of 1OCQ ppm.] :s--~3r ms NATURAL PRODUCTS 2501. A USEFUL T3ST FOR FOOD ALLERGY Haddad, Z.H. A Korotaer, J.L. (1972). Immediate hypersensitivity reactions to food antigens. Detection of human Ig3 antibodies in vitro and exploration of immunologic mechanisms using the rat mast cell system. J. Allergy 49, 210. A study was made of the rat mast cell degranulation test using the sera of 25 patients (ranging in age from 13 months to 29 yr) who had a clear-cut history of immediate hypersensitivity reactions to milie, eggs, shellfish, other fish, walnuts, peanuts or chocolate. The reactions were narked by symptoms ranging from urticaria to anaphylactic shock, and occurred within minutes of ingestion of the offending food. The test was carried out by incubating the test serum with equal aliquots of a rat mast cell suspension and a specific antigen (peanut, chocolate, egg and so on, obtained in concentrations of 10 pg/al) for 3 min. The test was deemed positive when the percentage of degranulated cast cells was mors tnan 2-5 times higher than that seen in control ;= 11 L ' * S' Vh"1 W CO CJl 03 ~nJ CO m-