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Industrial Hygiene Digest JULY. 19M (VoL 19, No. 7) INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE FOUNDATION mxuow omimn avbtoi rnnsoiosu^vA. 11 206 27 ' -v v_ . - - .r Vn, FOUNDATION FACTS P*un4tlA Wft* )* (WMtmy uuh ta iMaatrial AMtfiftt nimMAic* * Intfwtutai Hy|a r*wAtt**. T* r*wftitti* ' aaMtiattaft af iauatf** i** t* aiviNamiftt af hMitAfgi wrkiflf Camilla**, | I I j Volume 17 July, 1955 No. 7 ANNOTATED NOLSE BIBLIOGRAPHY PUBLISHED BY I-H-F Months of painstaking search and review went into the preparation of An Annotated Bibliography on Noise, Its Measurement, Effects and Control, publication of which was recently completed by Industrial Hygiene Foundation. The 364-page bibliography covers 2,336 articles and other literature, and is intended as a useful reference for engineers, physicians, executives and others who may be concerned with problems resulting from excessive noise. The proper approach to an understanding of the problem of noise and its solution necessitated a systematic survey of the knowledge of the subject. The preparation and printing of this issue of the Bibliography was made possible by funds contributed by various organizations. Therefore it was possible to distribute a limited number of copies to member companies of Industrial Hygiene Foundation. If requests for additional copies indicate that a second printing is necessary, they can be furnished to members at $5. 00 each. CLOSE ASSOCIATE OF FOUNDATION DIES Death claimed a long-time associate of Industrial Hygiene Foundation, Dr. R. E. Zimmerman, on June 20 in Summit, N. J. Dr. Zimmerman had been a member of the Foundation's Board of Trustees from 1939 until 1953, when he resigned from the Board at the time of his retirement from active service in the United States Steel Corporation. He was also a member of the Foundation's Research Advisory Council, NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS Recent additions to the Medical Committee of the Foundation are: Dr. Melvin N. Newquist, Medical Director, The Texas Company: Dr. Norbert J. Roberts, Medical Director, The Pennsylvania Railroad; and Dr. Kenneth Smith, Medical Director, Johns-Manville Corporation. Added to the Legal Committee is James Hill, Compensation Department, Ford Motor Company. PATHOLOGY YEAR BOOK INCLUDES FOUNDATION LITERATURE The Year Book of Pathology and Clinical Pathology for 1954-55 contains an abstract of the paper on "Permeability of Lung Parenchyma to Particulate Matter," by Dr. Paul Gross and Dr. Marian Westrick of the Foundation's tox icology laboratory. The year book outlines the significant advances in path- NOUkTAlAb. HTOiCNC FOUNDATION (Cont, on next page) eirritueoi > a * Foundation Facta - page 2 ]y - ology which have been reported In the world literature. This marks the third year of the last (our in which work conducted In the Foundation's toxicology laboratory has been so recognized. SHARING INFORMATION ^ Copies ofatranslatloncf anarticleon "TCP Poisoning and Blood Cho linesterase" from the Clinlc of Nerve Diseases of Masaryk University in Brno, C aecho Slovak!a, are available upon requests (The original article was, abstracted in Industrial Hygiene Digest-in January, 1955; Abst. No. 81). The translation was made: available to I-H-F through the courtesy of Mr. G. G. Fleming, Safety Director of the,CelaneseCorporation of America, and the Foundation is passing the information along to other member companies who may be interested in the subject. We would be pleased to follow tha same procedure in the event that other representatives; Of member companies would like, to, share translations they have made Of Important articles on industrial health. REPRINTS AVAILABLE Reprinta of two technical papers are available for. distribution: "Permissible Dustiness," by .Theodore Hatch,' Research Adviser of the Foun- dation, reprinted from American Industrial Hygiene Association Quarterly 16:1 March, 1955. ^ * j "Partltionai Respirometry, "byTheodore Hatch and Kenneth M. Cook,' reprinted | from the A. M. A; Archives of Industrial Health, yol. 11, , March, 1955. j 11 206 2737 Industrial Hygiene Digest r July, 1955 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Threshold Limits for 1955 .................................................................... I News............................................................................................................. 1 Coming Events........................................................................................... 1 Occupational Disease Statistics........................................................... Z Legal Developments.................................................................................. 3 Books, Pamphlets, and Notices........................................................... 4 Industrial Medical Practice..................................................................... 6 Skin Diseases and Burns......................................................................... 14 Chemical Hazards....................................................................................... 16 Industrial Dusts........................................................................................... 29 Physical Aspects of the Environment.................................................. 37 Radioactivity and X-Radiation................................................................ 39 Environmental Measurements . . .................................................. 41 Preventive Engineering.............................................................................. 44 Community Air Hygiene.............................................................................. 44 Management Aspects................................................................................... 47 Accidents and Prevention......................................................................... 48 Index................................................................................................................... *9 11 206 2738 THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUES FOR 19551 2 Adopted at the Seventeenth Annual Meeting of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Buffalo, April 24-28, 1955 Values are given in the following tabulation for the maximum average atmospheric concentration of contaminants to which workers may be exposed for an eight-hour working day without injury to health. These values are based on the best available information from industrial experience, from experimental studies, and, when possible, from a combination of the two. They are not fixed values but are reviewed annually by the Committee on Threshold Limits for changes, revisions, or additions as further information becomes available. Threshold limits should be used as guides in the control of health hazards and should not be regarded as fine lines between safe and dangerous concentrations. They rep resent conditions only within which it is felt that workers may be repeatedly exposed, day after day, without their health being adversely affected. It is felt, at the present time, that workers should not be exposed to a working environment containing any of these substances in excess of the value indicated. These values are not intended for use, or for modification for use, in the evaluation or control of community air pollution or air pollution nuisances. Established Values^ Gases and Vapors Substance PPM Substance PPM Acetaldehyde Acetic acid Acetic anhydride Acetone Acrolein Acrylonitrile Ammonia Amyl acetate Amyl atcohol (isoamyl alcohol) Anillna Arsine Bromine Butadiene (1,3-butadiene) 200 10 5 1000 0.5 20 100 200 100 5 0. 05 35 1 1000 Butanone (methyl ethyl ketone) 250 Butyl acetate (n-butyi acetate) 200 Butyl alcohol (n-butanol) 100 Butyl cellosolve (2-butoxyethanol) 200 Carbon dioxide 5000 Carbon disulfide 20 Carbon monoxide 100 Carbon tetrachloride 25 Cellosolve (2-ethoxyethanol) 200 Cellosolve acetate (hydroxyethyl acetate) 100 Chlorine 1 Chlorobenzene (monochloro- benzene) 75 1. Copied from A. M.A. Archives of Industrial Health, June 1955. 2. No additions or changes have been made in the established list. L 11 206 2739 V. Gases and Vapors (coat.); ! ... Substance . ; ..'PPM;.;:. `h;!7, Substance PPM Chloroform (trichloromethane) 100 i -Hydrogen chloride 5 1-Chloro-1-aitropropaae 20 1 :*-n Hydrogen cyanide , ^ * ' 10 Chloroprene (2-chlorobutadiene) ^'25^.*-^ Hydrogen fluoride - 3' Cresol (all isomers) 5 ,,4 Hydrogen selenide 0. OS Cyclohexane '400 - Hydrogen sulfide .20 } Cyclohexanol 100. Iodine; M". ;1 ... Cyclohexanone 100 , ' Isophorone . - -25 Cyclohexene :400 ; - Mesityl oxide; 50' Cyclopropane 406 . Methyl acetate ' 200 o-Dichloro benzene .. so ' Methyl alcohol (methanol) . 200 Dichlorodifluoromethahe iooo Methyl bromide 20' 1,1 -Dichloroethaae 1,2-Dichloroethylene Dichloroethyl ether 1 00 200 - V. ' \ - 15. Methyl cello solve (methoxy- ethanol) Methyl cellosolveacetate l* 25 i 1 Dichloromonofluoromethane' .1000 .vf ... . (ethylene glycol.monomethyl 1, 1-Dichloro-1-nitroethane 10 ether acetate) - . 25' Oichlorotetrafluoroethane iooo ; Methyl chloride 7 100 Diethylamine 25 Methylai:(dimethoxymethane) 1000 Dimethylaniline (N-dimethyl- Methyl chloroform (1,1,1- aniline) 5 s' trichloroethane) 500 , Dimethylsulfate Methylcyclohexane ' ,, 50C Dioxane(diethylene dioxide) 100 - Methylc yclbhexanol 100 Ethyl acetate 400 Methylc yclohexanone. 100 Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) "* iooo < Methyl formate ; , 100 Ethylamiae 25 Methylene chloride (dichloro - Ethyl benzene 200 V, ' methane) 500 Ethyl bromide 200 Naphtha (coal tar) 200 Ethyl chloride 1000 .Naphtha, (petroleum). ; 500 Ethyl ether 400 ?. Nickel carbonyl ' 0. OC Ethyl formate Ethyl silicate Ethylene chlorohydrin 100 Nitrobenzene r: 100 v Nitroethane > ,* 5 "Nitrogen dioxide -1 i 100 | ;s i Ethylene dibromide (1,2-dibro- Nitroglycerin 0. 5 mo ethane) 25 Nitromethane ioo ! Ethylene dichloride (l,2-dichloro- '! 2-Nitropropane , 50. ! ethane) ioo ; , >Nifrotoluene ,' 5 Ethylene oxide 100 'Octane 500 Fluorine . o.i Ozone' 0.1 Fluo rotrichLoromethane 1000 'Pentane '; . 1000 Formaldehyde 5. Pentagons(methyl propyl ketone) 200 Gasoline Heptane (n-heptane) Hexane (n-hexane) Hexanone (methyl butyl ketone) 500 500' 500 100 ;Perchloretbylene (tetrachloro- ( ethylene) . . , Phenol Phosgene (carbonyl.chloride) 200 ! 5 l Hexone (methyl isobutyl ketone) 100 Phosphine 1 i1 . 11 206 27 40 Hv. i i -2! Gases and Vapors (copt. ) Substance PPM Substance Phosphorus trichloride 0.5 Propyl acetate 200 Propyl alcohol (isopropyl alcoi.c'4 *:: Propyl ether (isopropyl ether) sc: Propylene dichloride (l, 2-dichioro- propane) 75 Stibine 0, 1 Stoddard solvent 500 Styrene monomer (phenyl ethylene) 200 Sulfur monochloride Sulfur dioxide 1,1,2, 2-Tetrachloroethane Toluene o-Toiuidine Trichloroethylene Turpentine Vinyl chloride (chloroethene) Xylene PPM l 10 5 200 5 200 100 500 2C0 Toxic Dusts, Fumes, and Mists Substance Mg. per cu, m. Antimony 0. 5 Arsenic 0.5 Barium (soluble compounds) 0.5 Cadmium 0. 1 Chlorodiphenyl 1 Chromic acid and Chromates as CrO> 0.1 Cyanide as CN 5 Dinitro toluene 1.5 Dinitro-o-cresol 0.2 Fluoride 2.5 Iron oxide fume 15 Lead 0.15 Magnesium oxide fume 15 Manganese 6 Mercury 0.1 Parathioa (O, O-Diethyl-O-p- nitrophenyl thiophosphate) 0.1 Substance Pentachloronaphthalene Pentachlorophenol Phosphorus (yellow) Phosphorus pentachloride Phosphorus pentasulfide v Selenium compounds (as Se) Sulfuric acid Tellurium Tetryl (2,4, 6-trinitrophenyl- methylnitr amine) Trichloronaphthalene Trinitrotoluene Uranium (soluble compounds) Uranium (insoluble compounds) - Zinc oxide fumes Mg. pe cu. m. 0. 0. 0. 1 1 0. 1 0. 1. 5 1. 0. 0. 15 Radioactivity: For permissible concentrations of radioisotopes in air see "Maxima Permissible Amounts of Radioisotopes in the Human Body and Maximum Permlssib Concentrations in Air and Water," Handbook 52, U. S. Department of Commerce, National Bureau of Standards, March, 1953. In addition, see "Permissible Dose fi External Sources of Ionizing Radiation," Handbook 59, Department of Commerce, 1 tional Bureau of Standards, Sept. 24, 1954. H 206 274 EEL Mineral'Dusts Substance MPPCF Alundum (aluminum oxide) 5 0 Asbestos 5 Carborundum (silicon carbide) ' 50 Dust (nuisance, no free silica) * 50 Mica (below 5% free silica) 20 Portland cement 50 Talc 20 ' ' - .'Substance Silica high (above'5.0% free SiOz) medium (5 to 50% free SiOj) low (below 5% free SiOz) State (below 5% free SiO^) Soapstone (below 5% free SiOz) Total dust (below 5% free SiOj)* MPPGii " ,, '3 5j '* . -> jf. 50 j 50 j , z o! 50 Tentative Thresho.. The following values are suggested forfurtheir cot. .cion before being presented for adoption as established values. (* marks materials added this year and for watch bibliographic material has-been prepared! The other materials appeared in last year's report.) It is proposed that the entire list will be presented for adoption at the meet ing of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist s in 1956, if no reason to the contrary is forthcoming. j >; Aldrin (1,2, 3,4,1,0,10-hexachloro-l, 4,4a, 5, 8, Sa-hexahydro-l, 4, 5, 8- dimethanonaphthalene) ' 0.25 mg/1 43 AUyl alcohol Allyl propyl disulfide Ammate (ammonium amidosulfate) Benzyl chloride > 5 PP 2 ppn. - , 15 mg/ wi1 . ppm * Butyl amine 5 pprr. Butyl mercaptan 10 ppm Calcium arsenate 0. 3 mg/ M- Chlordane (1,2, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 8-octachloro-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4, 7- methano indane) * Chlorine trifluoride............. * Chlorinated diphenyl oxide -/ 'V;-' 2.0 mg/M 0. 1 ppm | 0.5 mg/M Crag Herbicide (sodium-2,4, dichlorophenoxy etlxyi sulfate) 15 mg/M 2,4-D(2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) . , D. D. T. (2, 2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)-l ,1,1-trichlorethane) Diacetone alcohol (4-hydroxy-4-methylpentanone-2) 10 2.0 50 mg/ M mg/M ppm * Diborane 0.1 ppm Dieldrin (1,2, 3,4,10,10-hexachloro-6, 7, epoxy>1,4,4a, 5,6, 7, 8, 8a octtfcydro-1,4, 5, 8 dimethanonaphthalene) * 0.25 * Dlfluorodibromomethane | 100 Diisobutyl ketone 50 EPN (ethyl-p-oitrophenyl thiono benzene phosphonate) > 0. 5 Ethyl mercaptan 250 * Ethylene diamine 10 * Ethylene imine 5 Ferro vanadium dust l Furfural 5 * Furfuryl alcohol 200 mg/M ppm ppm mg/ M ppm ppm.; ppm; r< PV-- ppm IV. 11 206 2742 Tentative Threshold Limit Valuey (coat.) * Hydrazine 1 * Hydrogen bromide 5 * Hydrogen peroxide, 90% 1 * Hydroquinone 2 * Isopropylamine 5 Lead arsenate 0.2 Lindane (hexachlorocyclohexane, gamma isomer) 0.5 Malathon (0, 0-dimethyl dithio phosphate of diethyl mercaptosuccinate) 15 Methoxychlor (2, 2, diparamethoxyphenyl-1, 1,1, trichloroethane) 15 * Methyl acetylene 1000 Methyl isobutyl carbinol (methyl amyl alcohol) 25 Methyl mercaptan 50 Molybdenum * (soluble compounds) 5 * (insoluble compounds) p-Nitroaniline Organo mercurials (as mercury) Perchloromethyl mercaptan 15 1 0. 01 0. 1 Phenylhydr azine Picric acid * Propylene imine Pyridine * Quinone Sodium hydroxide 5 0. 1 25 10 0. 1 2 Sulfur hexafluoride Sulfur pentafluoride TEDP (tetraethyl dithiono pyrophosphate) 1000 0. 025 0.2 TEPP (tetraethyl pyrophosphate) *p-Tertiary butyl toluene 0. 05 10 * Tetrahydrofuran * Tetranitromethane Titanium dioxide * Trifluoromonobromomethane 75 1 15 1000 Vanadium * (V2Os dust) (V2Oj fume) * Zirconium 0.5 0.1 5 ppm ppm ppm mg/M^ ppm mg/ m2 mg/ mg/M-2 mg/M2 ppm ppm ppm mg/M2 mg/ m2 ppm mg/M2 ppm ppm mg/M^ ppm ppm ppm mg/M-' ppm ppm mg/M- mg/M- ppm ppm ppm mg/M ppm mg/M mg/M mg/M Beryllium: During the past few years, several papers ha re appeared in the literature which report a limit of 2 gamma per cubic meter of air for beryllium. Among these is the paper by Van Ordstrand, H. S.: "Berylliosis,"A. M. A. Arch. Ind. Hyg. and Occ. Med. 1_0, 232,234 (Sept. 1954), and one by Sterner J. H., and Eisenbud, M.: "Epidemiology of Beryllium Intoxication,"A.M. A. Arch. Ind. Hyg. and Occ. Med. 4, 123-151 (Aug. 1951). Conflicting data from industrial experience has caused the Committee to postpone the suggestion of a Threshold Limit for this material. It is apparent that more epidemiologic work is needed for the establishment of a definite value. 11 206 2741 V. Reference material has been prepared on each, of the above substances and, though in some instances rather meager, is available for distribution. The committee would welcome suggestions of substances to be added and also comments, additional refer* ences, or reports of experience with these materials. William L. Ball L. T.. FairhnU Kingsley Kay t H. E. Stokinger i A. J. Vonraid Louis F. Weller Allan L. Coleman, Chairman . 11 206 2744 July, 1955 Volume XIX No. 7 Industrial Hygiene Foundation 4400 Fifth Avanue Pittsburgh 13, Pennsylvania INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE DIGEST Literature and News NEWS ITEMS 761 At Last1, Specialty Certification. The American Board of Preventive Medicine, accepting as a fait aecompli the certification of qualified industrial physicians as spe cialists, has issued an informative bulletin for the guidance of those who have made application for consideration. The portion of the bulle tin descriptive of occupational medicine certification is quoted. -- Editorial, Ind. Med. b Surg., June 1955 COMING EVENTS 762 Aug. 15*18 Aug. 15-26 Sept. 11-16 Sept. 12-15 Fourth Annual Health Conference, Public Health As sociation, Penna. Health Council, and Penna. Med ical Society, State University, University Park, Pa. Noise Reduction, Special Summer Program, Massa chusetts Institute nf Technology, Cambridge, Mass. American Chemical Society, Minneapolis, Minn. International College of Surgeons, Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pa. Sept. 12-16 Sept. 20-26 Sept. 25-29 Instrument Society Conference, Los Angeles, Calif. World Medical Association, Vienna, Austria. International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions, Chicago, 111. Sept. 26-30 Atomic Industry Trade Fair, Washington, D. C. Sept. 26-Nov. 18 Institute of Industrial Medicine, two-months course in Industrial Medicine and Occupational Health, New Oct. 13-17 Oct. 18 Oct. 18-26 Oct. 24-26. Oct. 30-Nov. 4 York University Postgraduate Medical School. International Academy of Legal and Social Medicine, Genes, Italy. American Society of Safety Engineers, Chicago, 111. National Safety Council, Chicago, 111. American Standards Association, Washington, D. C. American College of Surgeons, Chicago, HI. ' 11 206 2745 Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 i OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE STATISTICS ! 763 Occupational Disease Statistics. Allergy Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning Dermatitis Eczema Fumes Lead Poisoning Silico-Tuberculosis Skin Infection Skin Irritation Stomach Trouble (Gas and dust) Total v lad. 1 June ; 1955 : r i .--V a* , 1 '2-,.,-: ' i _ i.i m . li Wise.1 April 1955 1 3 l 40 1 1 8 . 6 l 62 Total 1 3 1 48 1 I l .2 8 6 1 73 .I L Occupational disease cases reported to the Stats Board oi Health. * Alkalies, cement, detergent, -plastics, and rubber, caused one each; and the causeofthree other case swas not stated. i (' 11 20 2746 t Indus trial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS 764 New Legislation. New legislation and changes since the last announcement (IHF Abet. 625, June 1955) have been reported. In Maine compensation ben efits have been increased and special occupational disease compensa. tion has been provided for firemen, effective November 30, 1955. Mas sachusetts extends coverage to telephone company employees. North Carolina increases compensation benefits and extends compensation to bursitis. Oregon raises permanent and temporary total disability pay. ments and provides compensation for civil deiense volunteers. South Carolina increases burial expenses and exempts non-salaried county officials from coverage. -- Cond. from CCH 765 Longshoremen1 s and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act--Alleged Poisoning by Fumes of Carbon Disulfide---Seaworthiness of ShipNegligence. Two longshoremen who were exposed to carbon disulfide fumes in the hold of a ship as they were loading loose grain were denied recov ery against the ship and its owners since the court found that the ship was not unseaworthy and the owners were not negligent. The court found that carbon disulfide might be present in grain recently fumigated. How ever, it was the custom at the port whsre the incident occurred to give no tice if the grain had been recently treated and no notice was given in this case. The court found that the owners, in the exercise of reasonable care, would not have discovered that there was likely to be a dangerous concentration of carbon disulfide in the grain. Therefore, there was no negligence. The court further found that the warranty of seaworthiness does not extend to the condition or ingredients of the cargo. The court held that there was no valid reason to shift the burden from the compen sation carrier to the ship. Action dismissed. McMahan v. Steamship Panamolga. United States District Court. District of Maryland. No. 3505. January 20, 1955. -- CCH 3. 11 206 274 Industrial Hygiene Digest July,' 1955 766 Conunon-Uw Action--Employee of Subcontractor. V. General Contrac tor--Right of Employee Covered by Missouri Compensation Act to Re. cover Coder the. Law of-Arkansas Where Injury.Occarred--Full Faith and Credit Glauae Not Applicable. , 1 i , ; A Misaburi subcontractor^ employee who was injured in Ar kansas and who received compensation payments under the Missouri Compensation Act was improperly denied recovery in a common-law action against the prime contractor'in'Arkansas when the lower court ruled that it must give, full faith and credit to the Missouri Compensa tion Act which; barred third-party actions for employees who had been awarded compensation under the Missouri Act. The court ruled that. Missouri can make ifs,:compeusati6a act exclusive, and enforce it with-, in its borders; Arkansas could displace Missouri's policy with another. The court further ^uled that Were it.otherwise, the;state where the in A. 1 jury occurred would-be powerless to provide any remedies or safeguards to non-resident employees working within .its borders. The full faith and credit clause does not demand that type of subserviency from the state of the injury. Reversed. Carroll v. Lanxa. United States Supreme Court. Docket No. 37S. OctoberTTenh, 1934. June 6, 1955. / . -- CCH f ' 767 Dust is Dangerous. C. N. Davies.F'sber and Faber, Ltd., 24 Russell Square, LOndon.W. C. 1, England. 116 pp. (1954). $3.15. ' t, V*-'* v T.' ' ; The book begins with a foreword by Sir George Barnett, H. M. Chief Inspector of Factories, calling attention to some, of its prominent features. The author is a well known;industrial hygienist.. The first chapter deals with the dust hazardsofthe industrial worker, Including toxic dusts, those that cause skin and eye injuries, dental erosion and cancer and especially silica, coal, and asbestos dusts. The various methods oi dust sampling ^are doseribfd. Special attention is given to preventive measures; in the order of tdecreasing importance: (I) avoid- ing processes that.produce dost; (2) suppression of dust at the source; (3) local exhaust of dusty air; (4) general ventilation qf the workshop; and (5) personal protection. A chapter deals with radioactive dusts, and another with house and non-industrial dusts. In the final chapter on dust explosions it.is emphasized that a very thin uniform layer of fine dust can, if dispersed,in the air of a workroom, form a dangerous ly explosive cloud. If there is any possibility of a dust causing an expio- j < | , | { j i .. 11 206 27 4& Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 slon, the workrooms should be scrupulously clean and free from col- lections of dust. The book is well illustrated. It is a worth-while con tribution to the literature of industrial hygiene. .. FFR 768 Symposium on Odor. Presented at the Fifty-Seventh Annual Meeting, American Society tor Testing Materials, Chicago, 111., June 15, 1954. ASTM Special Technical Publication No. 164. 81 pp. (Nov. 1954). Obtainable from the ASTM, 1916 Race St. , Philadelphia 3, Pa. The following papers were presented: "Odor, a Proposal for Some Basic Definitions", by E. Sagarin; "Catalytic Method of Measur ing Hydrocarbon Concentrations in Industrial Exhaust Fumes", by R. J. Ruff; "The Design, Construction, and Use of an Odor Test Room", by N. Deininger and R. W. McKinley; "Organoleptic Appraisal of ThreeComponent Mixtures", by A. H. Gee; "Odor Pollution from the Official's Viewpoint", by C. W. Gruber; and "Odor Control Methods, a Critical Review", by A. Turk, who also presented a brief introduction to the Sym posium. Discussion of each of the papers is reported in full. -- FFR 769 Workmen's Compensation Problems. Proceedings cf 4Cth Annual Con vention of the International Association of Industrial Accident Beards and Commissions, Quebec, Canada, Oct. 3-7, 1934. U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards, Ball. 180. 233 pp. (1955). For sale by Supt. of Documents, U. S. Govt. Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 65 cents. Limited free supply available from Paul E. Gurske, Director, Bureau of Standards, U. S. Dept, of Labor, Washington 25, D. C. The program included panels on rehabilitation of injured workers, adequacy of workmen's compensation, noise in industry, and expedition of claims in contested cases. Among the individual papers were: "The Future of Workmen's Compensation",'by A. Larson, Under Secretary, U. S. Department of Labor; "Occupational Cancer Hazards", by W. C. Hueper; and "Heart Disease and Employment", by L. J. Goldwater. Re ports were given on accident prevention and administration of workmen's compensation in various localities, and a number of reports of committees are included. -- FFR 770 Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories for the Tear 1952. G. P. Barnett. Ministry of Labor and National Service. 239 pp. (1954). H. M. Stationery Office, London. 6s. 6d. Plant mechanization has received increasing attention in all types of industry. Less manual handling decreases accidents and fa tigue. The general adoption of fluidized processes contributes to the 11 206 2749 5. Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 solution of some dust problems. The increasing*use of instruments has developed some safety problems in making them flame-proof end avoid ing danger from gas or electrical connections. Problems of exposure to ionizing radiations are discussed. Accidents of various types and origin are discussed extensively and suggestions are given for organi zation of accident prevention. Problems in heating, ventilating, and dust removadare, discussed! /.Statistic's on occupational diseases are presented. ' * .Tv"!'. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. ` INDUSTRIAL MEDICAL PRACTICE 771 Industrial Medicine on the Washington Scene. Health LL, 393-396 (May 1955). i N. Doyle. Arch. Ind. The growth ofofficialoccupational health programs is traced and their current status is described.. In spite of limited staffs, the contributions of state and local agencies to the entire field have been extensive. Some unsolved problems are discussed. ' The Occupational Health Program of theiPublic .Health Service gives assistance to .the local organizations, (1) by- furnishing a large amount of data that has been collected and (2) bytechnicaT consultation, assistance in training personnel, and temporary loan of experts. The second-type of service has been dwindling on accouxd of . limited budgets, and a third resource, financial support, given for a short time, is no longer existent. The continued operation of these programs depends in large degree on lay and professional Support. 1 . ', 772 Administrative Medicine--Necessary Component of Industrial Health. . The C. O, Sappington Memorial Lecture. E. D. Barnett.. Ind^ Med. fcSurg. 24, 247-250 (June 1955). f Administrative medicine was first recognized as a specialty three years ago with the; establishment of the Institute of Administra tive Medicine at Columbia University. The need of administrative medicine in various fields, including industrial medicine, is discussed, and its functions are outlined. The author expresses the hope that there will be an interest .in the inclusion, of administrative medicine as an es- sential part of industrial anil occupational medicine, and that a high de gree of.coordination of the^occupational health field with the total health problems of the nation can be achieved.' 6. 11 206 2750 Industrial Hygiene Digest Jul v, 195 5 773 The American, Academy of Compensation Medicine in Wortee^'i Com pensation, A. W. Duryee. Compens. Med. 6^ 1 -3 (Dec. 1954 - ~eo. 195571 The aims of the American Academy of Compensation Medicine are outlined. The problems of free choice of physician, cardiovascular disease, rehabilitation, and medical ethics are discussed briefly. The Academy advocates: (1) educating the physician, surgeon, student, and intern in better care of the injured worker; (2} obtaining a spirit of co operation between administrator, lawyer, legislator, and doctor; (3) establishing basic criteria for specific problems; (4) joining with organ ized medicine to root out bad medical practice; and (5) interest in new developments in these fields. 774 Instruction in Occupational Medicine at the Undergraduate Level. Report of the University of Oklahoma Workshop. J. S. Felton. Ind. Med. fe Surg. 24, 251-256 (June 1955). This paper presents the collective opinions of a number of medical educators who attended a conference on instruction in occupa tional medicine. Fifteen reasons are given why occupational medicine should be taught. Among them are the needs for: a greater knowledge of occupational health problems; correction of erroneous concepts he.d by students; provision of better medical service to industry; a more skilled assumption of medicolegal responsibilities; furthering both a holistic and a preventive approach to medicine; and the creation of a research service for industry. Other questions discussed were: what subjects should be caught, who does the teaching, and where the teach ing should be accomplished, and in what year or years the instruction should be given. A number of valuable suggestions are given under each of these headings. i 13 Scientific Medicolegal Investigation in the Undergraduate Medical Cur riculum. a. R. Moritz. J. Am. Med. Assn. 133, 2-ii-l-r-* xM*r lo, 1955/. Because of the millions of disabling injuries and the hundreds of thousands of deaths from violent or obscure causes that occur each year in the United States, practitioners of mtdicint are frequently call ed upon to supply medical facta and opinions that are essential to the administration of justics and to the enforcement of the law. In general, physicians discharge these responsibilities unwillingly and with . gree of competence that is commensurate with their lack of interest and information about medicolegal problems. In contrast to British and Eu ropean schools of medicine, little or no provision is made in the under graduate curriculum of most American schools for consideration of med icolegal problems. It is, therefore, not surprising that medicine serves 7. 11 206 27 f It Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 justice less, effectively in the United States than it does elsewhere in' the world. ... The ultimate responsibility for this situation lies with med ical educators. - , -- Author's summary / 776 The Physician and the' Law; Gv E. Hail. J. Am. Med. Assn. 158, 1 257-260 (May-28, 1955j. The author: gives reasons why' the following subjects should be included in a medicolegal "curriculum as-part of medical education: work men's compensation/ reporting wounds and diseases, keeping of records, narcotic laws, adoption, maintaining an office, giving testimony, artifi cial insemination,, and sterilization. The law schools are.teaching law- . yers how to utilize to their'advantage everything that medicine, and science in general, .has to offer them,. Medical schools can do no less. Medical graduates'and licentiates must be given an adequate background in legal medicine.5".*'** 1 ' - ; *- 777 Future of Postgraduate Medical Education. D. D. Vollan. J. Am. Md. Assn. 158, 395-399 (June 4, This is the last of a., series constituting the report of a Survey of Postgraduate Medicail.Education by the Council on Medical; Education and Hospitals of the AmericaaMedical Association. The author says . in conclusion: !'The future Of postgraduate medical education is indeed bright, though it may be .necessary to discard much of what exists in order to build anew bn solid foundations. The problems are complex. The goal is. worthy of the efforts it will require; The challenge will require the wholehearted cooperation of(medical educators and prac ticing ntiviieiVaii !>` 778 Comparative Methods of Artificial Respiration. Study of Living and Dead Subjoctafwith and without Gas Mask. A.- S. Gordon, C. W. Frye,` R. D. Miller, and G. M. Wyant. U. J. Armed ForcesMed. J. 6, 781-793 (June 1955). ^f ':;V Tests on totally, apneic, anesthetized-curarized normal adults and warm, nonxigid corpses indicate that all push-pull manual methods of artificial respiration are effectlve for ventilating casualties wearing a standard M-9 gas mask equippedwithan M-ll caanister. The hiplift back-pressure method creates the greatest intra-mask pressure , differential and should be most effective when there is .increased air- way resistauce, such as occurs with bronchoconstrictiou or excessive airway secretions resulting from anticholinesterase poisoning. If the airway is clear, the back-pressure arm-lift method provides almost as much ventilation and is'.'.easier to perform. The Silvester method. a; 11 206 2752 Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 (arm-lift chest-pressure) produces as much ventilation and should be used when it is necessary to keep the patient in the supine position, Mouth-to-mouth (or mask-to-mask) insufflations may be effective m ventilating casualties with increased airway resistance. The prone Eve method gives about one half as much ventilation as do the push- pull manual methods. In addition it requires a rocker, either pro vided or improvised. For resuscitation of many persons by a few operators it may be necessary to fasten together several stretchers for simultaneous rocking by a single operator. Maintenance of a clear airway is of paramount importance for adequate ventilation with any of these methods. -- Authors' summary 779 Resuscitation and Other Methods of Artificial Respiration. J. L. Whittenberger. New Engl. J. Med. 251, 816-820 (Nov. 11, 1954). The subject of artificial respiration, both in resuscitation and in therapy is reviewed, with emphasis on principles rather than on par ticular methods. Subjects that have received little study include alveo lar ventilation rates, ventilation distribution, diffusion capacity, and ventilation-perfusion relations. The limits of safe pressure levels in the lungs are not precisely known. For several reasons inflation of the lungs is difficult, and in all forms of external respiration, an effective inspiratory phase appears to be of prime importance. Various methods of manual and mechanical respiration are discussed with regard to their efficiency. The circulatory effects of artificial respiration encompass a spectrum from the circulation-promoting action of natural respiration to the potentially severe impairment that may be due to a fluctuating pos itive-pressure device. In the normal patient the effects on respiration are temporary, but in the impaired patient, deleterious consequences can be minimized by general supportive measures and reduction of the mean mask pressure. The success of any method of artificial respira tion is favored by knowledge of the underlying physiologic mechanisms and their interactions with the methods used. -- Cond. from author's summary (Arch. Ind. Health) 780 A Limited Survey of 768 Registered Disabled Persons. V. V. Brown and others. Trans. Assn. Ind. Med. Officers 4, 114-116 (Jan. 1955). The results of a limited survey of 768 registered disabled per sons employed by a (British) steel company arc given. It is shown that less than 10% of the disabled were severely handicapped and 45r< had only minor or trivial disabilities. It was noted that the accident rate for tee disabled was below the average for all workers and their sick ness absence was only slightly higher. It is concluded that this group of registered disabled persons are useful members of their working community, but it is pointed out that in our experience the prcblems associated with the disabled arise more often in connection with those not registered-as such. --Authors' summary i. 11 206 2753 Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 781 Rehabilitation. Marion Pearson. Trans. Assn: . lad. Med. Officers 4. 117-118 (Jan. 1955). V Leading a discussion of rehabilitatiouby the Yorkshire group of the Association, the author first warned her audience that her views are "a bit unorthodox*. The term rehabilitation,; as applied to resettle ment of the injured; is new, but rehabilitation itself is not. ' With the ex ception^ the very few who are entirely incapacitated, suitable employ ment can'be found for the man who wants work. The author gives several examples from her own experience. The difficulty is with the "man who does not want to work, because: . (1).he has a grievance; (2) he is afraid; or (3).he is bone lazy. "Rehabilitation centers, industrial training centers, and industrial rehabilitation units are all bad and should be abolished." True rehabilitation depends, 'first, on proper <treatment with adequate physiotherapy in the beginning, cooperation with the patient, and later ' cooperation with industry. -The later stages must be taken over by in dustry itself. Observation and .aWessment of the worker's ability is one of the industrial medical officer's most important duties. If a man with a non-functional disability can be convinced that his disability, though a nuisance, is of no real importance, his rehabilitation is com plete. The paper aroused much discussion, some of It in the form of adverse criticism, but a.number of cases were cited where rehabilita tion could have been more rapid had'the industrial medical officer been utilized more folly.' '' ;,i ,J;' '-.V'- 782 Trauma and the Psychiatrist. J. R.! Adams. Ind. Med. fc Surg. 24,. 257-260 (June 1955). >' Traumatic neurosis' is discussed and explained,-wiUi a history of a typical case as ad illustration. The case history points to impor tant aspects; in the management of traumata: (1) evena minor physical ailment may, in a vulnerable personality,, be experienced as a consid erable threat of stress; (2) there must be awareness of .the potential im- . portance of the iaitiaTmedicaTcontact; (3) the industrial physician must frequently contend with, the attitude that he works for the company.more than for the patient; (4) such cases touch one; of the problem areas in matters of compensation adjudication that must be given full considera tion; and (5) although industrial psychiatry is in its infancy, and this psychiatrist..cannot be successful in all cases, he can shed some light and broaden; underiitandingV especially in the field of prevention. 783 Psychiatry in Industry--Tomorrow. W. R. Poindexter. Ind. Med. fcSurg. 24, 261-263 (June 1955). The industrial psychiatrist'fails to'achieve-his maximum value to the company because he works alone.and deals only with individuals. 11 206 2754 Industrial Hygiene Digest *r July, 1955 The increasing importance of group therapy leads to the concept of the company as the patient of the psychiatrist. Instead of working alone, he should be a member of a team including the medical staff. This aim involves concessions on the part of both the psychiatrist and man* agement. While still dealing largely with individuals, the psychiatrist should be fully familiar with the practices and problems of the company 784 The Alcoholic in Industry and His Rehabilitation. J. I. Roberts and E. A. Russo. Ind. Med. k Surg. 24, 269-272 (June 1955). Problem drinkers are classified as: (1) chronic excessive drinkers; (2) reactive drinkers; and (3) neurotic or psychotic drinkers. The terms are defined. The value of statistics on problem drinkers, necessarily obtained from surveys, is questioned because the replies from the drinkers themselves or from supervisors involve no objective tests. Sources of gross inaccuracy are pointed out in four of the most publicized surveys. In a survey made in one industry, restricted to alcoholism as a cause of accidents, and admittedly too limited to give conclusive deductions, no case of injury was found to be caused either directly or indirectly by alcoholism. No reliable estimate of the cost of alcoholism can be obtained from surveys. Rehabilitation of the alcoholic in industry is a complex, co operative procedure. Its cost and the monetary gain derived cannot be calculated. The rehabilitation program should be sold more as a human itarian issue. From a psychiatric point of view alcoholics are sick peo ple, but the view should be qualified. The program of the New England Electric System for the detection and handling of problem drinkers is described. One feature of the program is that when a problem drinker is detected he is suspended and his salary is stopped, but if he cooper ates with the analysis, treatment, and rehabilitation his benefits are automatically restored and he is pat on sick leave. After he returns to work, his absences are carefully checked and if he has a relapse he is referred to the AA or an alcoholic clinic and is reinstated on sick leave and returned to the job as before, so long as he cooperates, but with the warning that next time he will be dropped from the payroll. The program is still in its infancy but some gratifying rehabilitations have occurred. 785 Occupational and Non-Occupational Stress in Relation to Employee Health, E. P. Luango. Ind. Med. k Surg. 24, 242-246 (June 1955). By looking at the employee with the "whole man'* concept, and by giving as much consideration to environmental stress as to organic health, industrial physicians and nurses can improve relations in a plant, reduce the number of disabilities characttriztd first by function al and later by organic disorders, and decrease the number of accidents 11 206 2755 a. Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 due to emotional disorders. Theaeare realcontributioas to the better- ' mant of plant uxd community health and of labor relations in industry. Examples are givenoftheae results iathe author's experience: the number of "nervous breakdowns'!? has diminished by 25% during a six. year period, anda reduction in explosive human relations due to emo tional upsets has been attained. .- Cond. from author's summary 786 "Coin" Lesion:Patients and Their' ifeed'fOr Follow-Up. C. D. McClure. Bull. Allegheny Co. Med. -Sbc. vdd, ;i5Ui.515 (May 28, 1955).; Three case reportsfromthe localmasschest x-raysurvey of 1953 are described inorder toilluatratethepotentially malignant nature of the."coin" lesion of: the..lung. < In all threeVcases cancer was found after the x-ray had disclosed a coin lesion. Close follow-up of' a patient with a non-calcified coin iesiojn is recommended. 787, Syphilis in Industry. J. G. Downing. J. Am. Med. Assn. 158, 468- 472 (June 11, 1955). " : '7 . , ' With a reservoir of about two million persons in the commun ity needing treatment, and with 156, 099patients reported in 1953, syph iliswill remainwithusfor some time to come. In industries employ ing highly skilled workers, the cost of finding even the few that may be diseased is. worth.while to the industry,:. because it will not only retain the services of a highly trained individual, buit also eliminate unjustifi able claims that are not due to occupation but rather to syphilis. For industries employing.less skilled laborers or in a high prevalence group, the blood test becomes even more ixnportant as a part of the routine pre-employment examination. 'Management needs to be educat ed regarding the employment of syphilitics or persons who give a posi tive serologie teat who have no medical defect that would prohibit them from earryittg.bat assigned';duties. The advisability of employing such persons should be decided by"competent physicians. The hew antibiotics have done a tremehdous job in sipeeding up the Cure of syphilis, but there is much more to be done. `Any attempt to reduce the control efforts by public health authorities is foolhardy. --Cond. from author's summary 788 . Newer,,Studies on;the Epidemiology of Fungous Infections of the Feet. R. L. Baer, 5. A. Rosenthal, H. Rogachefaky, and J. L. Zitt. Am. J. Public Health 45, 784^790 (June IJ955).': The results of the experiments, described agree with those of earlier investigations in demonstrating that exogenous exposure to fungi insawiznmingrppbls, shower, stalls,^bathrooms, etc., plays a minor or negligible role in'eliciting acute attacks of fungous' infeCtioas of the feet. u 11 206 2756 Industrial Hygiene Digest Jk July, 1955 Therefore'the numerous measures used for prevention of athlete's foot, some harmful in themselves, are of little value. Suggestions are suo- mitted for a few simple measures designed to maintain, and raise the lo cal resistance of the feet and thus to prevent acute attacks of tinea pedis (athlete's foot). -- Cond. from authors' summary 789 The "Writhlington" Stretcher Carrier. J. H. Bulleid. Trans. Assn. Ind. Med. Officers 4^ 125-127 (Jan. 1955). Reproduced from Coll. Guard. A hand-propelled stretcher carrier is described. It was de signed primarily for use in mines, where it may be necessary to carry a stretcher over long distances, inclines, or rough ground. Its con struction is simple and involves relatively little expense, since it con sists only of a light superstructure on two axles. Four men can push a patient up an incline of one in five without difficulty, and two men can lift and maneuver the unloaded carrier. Details of construction are de scribed and illustrated. 790 Metallic Transfer in Screwing and Bolting and Its Significance in Bone Surgery. F. P. Bowden, J. B. P. Williamson, and P. G. Lamg. ?roc. 2nd Radioisotope Conf. Oxford 1, Med. and Physiol. Applications 112122 (1954). Experiments with surgical tools made radioactive by irradia tion have shown that it is almost impossible to insert a screw or bolt without leaving some fragments of the tool metal adherent to it. An appreciable difference in electrode potential can be set up between the steel of the tool and the steel used for the screws, so that an electroly tic couple will be formed which may have harmful effects on the heal ing of the tissue and will act as a corrosion center. Tissues surround ing the handled parts of buried metal's contain up to five times the con centration of the ions of those metals found in normal tissue and in tissues adjacent to parts of buried metals which have not been handled with tools. -- Chem. Absts. 791 The Occupational Medical Foundation, Institute of Occupational Health, Annual Report, 1954. L. Noro, Director, Helsinki, Finland. 48 pp. (1955). The organization and functions of the Institute are described, and its accomplishments for the year are reported. The work of all departments has increased and their activities are tabulated. A list of 173 publications by members of the Institute during the year is ap pended. and some are abstracted. 11 206 275 13. Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 .'fvi ;&T- 792 The Preventive Aspects of Dermatitis and Allied Disorders. . Collier. Trans. Assn. lad: Med. Officers ,4, .120-121 (Jan. 1955). The generai principle of preventioa of dermatitis is minimal " contact with: dermatitis-produdiag agents. Application of the principle includes: (1) removal of dust,' liquid and vapor; (2),protective clothing: (3) adequate washing'facilities; (4) provision of special cleaning agents for dirty jobs;;.(5 ) good housekeeping;;"and ,(6) control of temperature and humidity./-'.The'.employee1s responsibilities aret (1) personal cleanliness; (2) frequent changes of protective clothing; (3) wearing any additional pro tective clothing reqmrejd; and (4) consulting the industrial medical officer when rashes develop. When these methods fail, barrier creams should' be used. Barrier creams must haye a specific neutralizing action on the particular irritact, must be harmless to the skin, and should be easily applied and removed. The manufacturers should make known the con stituents of the barrier cream, in confidence if necessary. Following the paper are four provisional-formulas of barrier creams suggested for inclusion in the British Pharmaceutical Codex. 793 Some Dermatologic-Aspects of the Chromate Problem. M. H., Samitz. ' Arch. Ind. Health* 11*.\-3frl^367/.(May 1955')^v..}r;i. - This suryey was restricted to a threefold objective: (1) to re view recent information.on the dermatologic aspects of the chromate problem; (2) to correlate surface lesions due to; chromates with other organ disorders; and (3) to present, several facets of dermatologic re search dealing with chromates. The list, of-occupations involving chro mate exposure, published by Dublia}aad Vane in 1941 is reproduced. Two recent findings must no.w' be addedr cement workers and railroad employees forking with diesel locoanotiyes. -Several papers on these subjects axe reviewed add the author's observations are reported. Another source on which the author-has made ian investigation is the use of chromated zinc chloride in preserving wood. 794 Chromate Dermatitis from Chrome Glue and Other Aspects of the ChromeProblem. G. iE. Morris. i Arch. Ind. Health, 11," 366-371 (May 1955). - - : ,r, Dermatitis from chrome is seen in many industries; dermatitis from chrome glue isreported here for the first time;" Dermatitis from '^ 14' ' .............. 11 206 2758 i. V'; Jr Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 chrome glue can be seen in those making the glue and in those using it. Chrome dermatitis o the hands may be seen with chrome dermatitis from shoe leather, and the secondary sensitization of the feet can cause persistence of the chrome dermatitis of the hands. In my practice, the avoidance of chrome-tanned shoes has facilitated the clearing up of erup tions and has not permitted the persistence of the cases, as Guy and others report. As a rule in my office, a patient sensitized to chrome either wears plastic linings between his feet and the leather or is told to change to other types of shoes. -- Author's summary 795 Occupational Contact Dermatitis under the Ontario Workmen's Com pensation Act. Majorie W. Grigsby. Arch. Ind. Health II, 372-174 (May 1955). In Ontario, as in the United States, occupational dermatitis is the major industrial disease for which compensation and medical care are claimed. The general order of the Ontario Board of Health regard ing claims for dermatitis is quoted in full. 796 Chloracne from an Unusual Exposure to Aroclor, J. W. Meigs, J. J. Albom, and B. L. Kartin. J. Am. Med. Assn. 154, 1417-1418 (Apr. 24, 1954). Seven cases of mild to moderate chloracne of the face and head occurred among 14 chemical operators exposed from five to 19 months intermittently to small concentrations of the vapors of a chlorinated di phenyl (Aroclor). Leakage of these vapors from a heat exchange system occurred chiefly outdoors, but chloracne was observed among men work ing in the adjacent building. In all cases the condition cleared up after treatment. Control of vapors by welding all joints in the heat exchange system prevented recurrences. -- Authors' summary 797 Effects of Chlorinated Diphenyl (Sovol) on the Skin and Its Resorption. V. P. Paribok. Farmakol." i Toksikol. JL7, No. 5, 51-54 (l954). Russian. As an occupational poisoning in the electrical industry, mixed tetrs and pentachlorodiphenyl (sovol or savol) causes folliculitis, com edo, pyodermia, and other skin affections. Single local applications on rabbit ears cause prolonged inflammation. Resorbed through the skin of rabbits, its principal toxic effect is fatty degeneration of the liver. -- Cham. Absts. 15. 11 206 275 Industrial Hygiene Digest " , July, 1955 798 Cases of Hand Dermatitis Caused by Cloth Cloves. S. Nomura. Repts. of last, for Science of Labor, Aon. Report, 1953 (Tokyo, Japan) 47, 55 (Aug. 1954). Cases of hand dermatitis were found among the industrial workers wearing cloth gloves for protection in an electric manufac turing company. Some workers whoworesuchgioves suffered from severe -inflammation with unbearable'itch and pain in the areas covered by the gloves. By chemical analysis the agent causing the dermatitis was considered to be probably dimethyl sulfate. The pathogenesis of the hazard is discussed in some detaU. -. .Public Health Eng. Absts. CHEMICAL HAZARDS 799 Problem of Nutrition for. Workers Exposed to the Action of toxic Sub-. stances. E. C. Vigliani. Med, lavoro. 45; 423-430 (1954). Italian. The relation of diet to industrial toxicology is reviewed. Diet is no substitute for. personal hygiene and toxicological control and pre vention. iDiet cannot affect lead poisoning, and lime has no specific . action on lead or other poisons. For those exposed to benzene or aro matic amines, sulfur-containing amino acids and high fluids are indi cated. Chlorinated hydrocarbons require foods rich in protein. Low fat, high protein, and high carbohydrate diet will help prevent toxicity to trinitrotoluene. AlcOhol should be avoided by workers with nitro glycerin^ nitroglycols, and calcium cyanamide. Methanol toxicity can be decreased by the use of ethyl alcohol or pectin. Workers are more susceptible to carbon monoxide just after eating. Thiamine, niacin, and vitamin P prevent black tongue in workers with penicillin. ... Chem. Absts. 80Q, Investigations on-the Alleged Value of.Whole Milk aa a Prophylactic Agent in Industrial Poisonings. H. Wittgens and D. Niederstadt. ZeatralbL Arbeitamed. u. Arbeitsschutz 4, 185-191 (Nov. 1954). German. , The extensive literature on the prophylactic value of milk in industrial poisonings is reviewed and discussed. Full details of the authors' experiments with rats are reported, including variations in r 11 206 27G0 Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 T weight, hemoglobin, end blood pictures during a period of 15 weeks. The conclusion is resched that whole milk has no protective effect against lead poisoning and that it is highly probable that it makes the poisoning more severe. This finding, which is in accord with the re- suits obtained by other workers, suggests that partaking of whole milk by workers with lead and other poisonous materials is not to be recom mended. Reliance should be placed rather on known technical and hygi enic precautions. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 801 Fluoride Intoxication in the Guinea Pig and the Rabbit. A. J. Held and E. Grasset. Bull. Schweiz. Akad. med. Wiss. J_0, 260-275 (1954j. German. Pregnant guinea pigs and rabbits given ten to 29 daily injec tions of 1 to 1.5 mg. sodium fluoride per kg. had normal gestation periods and bore young free of anomalies or lesions. Livers, kidneys, and adrenals of the parents showed no histopathology but bone tissue showed variable changes, as did actively growing teeth, .. Chem. Absts. 802 Chlorine Dioxide--A Dangerous Irritant Gas. H. Petry. Arch. Gewerbepathol. Gewerbehyg. 13, 363-369 (1954). Gorman. Chlorine dioxide has achieved considerable industrial impor tance in the bleaching of various materials. It is more poisonous than chlorine and may have a specific action on the central nervous system. This paper describes the method of preparation, physical and chemical properties, and effects on experimental animals. There is little in the literature about its toxicity to man but several authors have expressed the view that it is very toxic. A case investigated by the author is de scribed, involving a research worker etg>osed on several occasions to unknown concentrations of the gas. He' suffered from an acute irrita tion of the respiratory passages which ultimately developed into chronic emphysema and bronchitis. The precautions necessary in the use of tha gas are discussed and it is pointed out that more study is needed to discover the biological action of the poison. In another possible case of poisoning an ocular muscular paralysis was noted; so it may have some action on the central nervous system. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 803 Observations on the Subacute Toxicity of Hydrazine. J. H. Weatherby and A. S. Yard. Arch. Ind. Health _U, 413-419 (May 1955). White rats given drinking water containing hydrazine in concen trations of 0.1 mg. per ml. or higher restricted their fluid intake, the higher the concentration the greater the degree of restriction. Both 11 206 2761 n. Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 rate oC growth and survival were adversely affected. Apparently rats will not ingest voluntarily sufficient hydrazine in drinking water to bring about pathological changes usually associated with hydrazine poisoning. Exposure of guinea pigs to an atmosphere containing 5 to 6 mg. per cu. m. during a period of 69 ,days caused.little evidence of illness or dis tress, although at autopsy the lungs of such animals indicated pneumon itis and atelectasis. Dogswere much less tolerant of hydrazine than were guinea pigs. They exhibited marked muscular weakness within one to five days, and pathological changes mainly involved the liver, and to.a smaller, extent the kidneys and lungs. -- Cond. from authors' summary 804 Distribution, Retention,-, and Elimination of Beryllium 7 in the Rat after Intratracheal Injection. C. D. Van Cleve and C. T. Kaylor. Arch. Ind. Health 11, , 375-392 (May, 1955). Experiments are reported in which rats were injected intra- tracheally with beryllium-7 sulfate and citrate and the retention and distribution of the isotope were traced. Citrated Be7 was almost completely mobilized from the lung in four days. Results with differ ent preparations of the sulfate varied greatly. Some were retained in the lung in appreciable amounts at 315 days.; Excretion by the kidneys was always very high in the first 24 hours, then dropped to a low level which became undetectable after 75 days. Elimination of Be? in feces was persistent for a known period of 40 days and during this period surpassed kidney excretion in total amount. - The relation of these data to lung clearance 'and anatomical routes of mobilization from the lung is discussed. > -- Cond. from authors' summary 805 An Unusual Case of Joint Pains and Fever. Berylliosis and Pulmonary Hypertension Mistaken.for Rheumatic Fever.' H. B. Sprague and Harriet L. Hardy. Circulation \o, 129-132 (1954). A case of berylliosis is described in whleh a woman had been exposed to beryllium in a fluorescent lamp factory for two years, tan years before the onset-of symptoms. The symptoms, which are de scribed, at first indicated rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. The x-ray changes in the lungs were characteristic of berylliosis, and' skin biopsy showed the changes characteristic of beryllium granuloma. The patient improved with the use of cortisone. - Cond. from authors* summary (Biol. Absts.) 806 Experimental Diabetes by Poisoning with Neutral Potassium Chromate. M. Mo singer, H. Fiorentini, and Jacqueline Quicke. Compt. rend. soc. biol. 148, 1453-1455 (1954). French. Adult rabbits were given 100 mg. of potassium chromate orally on alternate days-for four to-ninemonthj. They-showed some loss in u- il 206 2762 Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 `weight, a constant hyperglucemia, and reduced blood cholesterol con* tent. Blood nonprotein nitrogen was normal or slightly elevated. The urine contained 6 to 22 g. per. 1. of glucose but no acetone. Effects on the pancreas, adrenal cortex and medulla, thyroid, and liver are described. * Cond. from Chem. Absts. 807 Some Hemodynamic Shifts in Lead Intoxication. B. A. Atchabarov and S. S. Sabdenova. Vestmk. Akad. Nauk Kazakh. S. S. R. No. 12, 77-82 (1954). Russian. In a majority of the lead intoxication cases there is a disturb ance of venous and arterial blood pressure, expressed as arterial hypo tension and venous hypertension. The former increases with the grav ity of intoxication. Lead colic is not always accompanied by arterial hypertension. The rate of blood circulation generally remains normal. -- Chem. Absts. 808 The Frequency of Hypertension in Lead Exposure with Previous Colic. A. Mazzolem. Med, lavoro 45, 482-487 (l954). Italian. A relation was found between hypertension and lead colic ex isting for ten years or more. All the 27 workers with lead exposure had normal blood pressure for their age at the time of their first lead colic. In the 11 workers who had had colic for ten years or more, there were five hypertensives, but none in those with shorter experi ence of lead colic. In 11 selected workers in the dye industry with no lead exposure, the incidence of hypertension there was only one case of hypertension, which corresponds with the l Oft incidence in the gen eral population. In all the five cases of hypertension albuminuria was present. All 11 were making an alloy of two parts copper to one part lead. - - Cond. from Chem. Absts. 809 Treatment of Acute and Chronic Lead Poisoning with Disodium Calcium Versenate. J. F. Wade, Jr. , and J. F. Burnum. Ann. Internal Med. 42, 251-259 (Feb. 1955). The principles of disodium calcium EOTA treatment are re viewed. Five cases are reported in detail. The anthors conclude that this drug affords a safe and effective means of treating acute and chronic lead poisoning. - - Cond. from J. Am. Med. Assn. 810 Treatment of Lead Poisoning with Ethylenediaminetetraacetate. P. Eilersen, P. Astrup, B. Fallentia, and J. Frost. Ugeskrift Laeger 117, 124-127 (Feb. 3, 1955). Danish. Four patients, of whom three had clinical signs of chronic lead poisoning, and the fourth had recent characteristic symptoms, were 19. tl 206 2763 Industrial Hygiene Digesjt July,;"1955 treated with intravenous infusion of disodium calcium EDTA. The pa tients were subjectively free from symptoms on discharge. In spite of. the manifold increase in lead excretion, the total amount excreted was small in comparison with the total; amount presumably accumulated in the tissuc^ur^g'lioag^expoh'uie^^.Thc greatest value of the treatmentis therefore in acute intoxication. -- Cond.' from J.. Am. Med. Assn. 811 Acute Lead Intoxication Treated with Ethyienediaminetetraacetate. * K. Mellengard and G;f Sorensen. ,Ugeskrift Laeger 117, 127-129 * (Feb. 3, 1955). Danish. .-'.V..,; y/ . Oisodium calcium EOTA was administered intravenously in an acute case of lead poisoning'following ingestion of lead oxide. The treat ment continued for six days. During the.first two days the uninary lead excretion was. greatly increa'sed and thereafter moderately increased, but ended a month after the treatment ended. Persisting anemia showed. that not all the lead had been excreted; EDTA can apparently combine with only a certain mobile lead fraction,. probably the circulating lead. The treatment is thus first and foremost indicated in acute cases. In termittent'treatment may perhaps be useful in chronic cases. .. . r ' ,, ' - Cond. from J. Am. Med. Assn. 812 Elimination of Lead ih Sweat.' D. O. Shields.; > Australian Aha. Med. 3, 225 (Aug. 1954;). J ; Earlier investigators havegeuerailyagreed that insignificant amounts of lead occtir.in perspiration.;. -The'author undertook an inves tigation of the subject because; (1) present analytical methods are more sensitive, and (2) the volume of fluid hliminated by the skin may equal that of the urine and under, hot conditions may exceed it. Sweat was col lected by attaching a piece of cotton, wool approximately 6 by 8 cm. to , the chest' wall in the axilla. The cotton wool was covered with a thin. sheet of plastic to prevent contamination by adhesive tape. Several patients under treatment were so tested,); and appreciable amounts of lead, were collected.in the pads over several days. In anexperiment on him self, the author ingested .5 to 10 mg. of .lead per day, and found that the amounts collected'by the method described paralleled the amounts in gested; The amount of sweat collected was determined and calculated to be about 1/130 of the total sweat prbduced by the body. The amount of lead collected on the axillary pad, varied from 1/7 to 1/10 of that ex creted at the same time, in the urine. ; From these facts the author con cludes that-the.amount ojf, lead eliminated through the skin may be of the same order as, or may even exceed, the amount eliminated in the urine. ' " ' -- Cond. from Arch. Ind. Health v 20. ` 11 206 2764 Industrial Hygiene Digest July, L955 T 813 Corneal Changes in the Silver Industry. A Contribution to the Industrial Hygiene of the Eye. W. Buttner-Wobst and H. Opttz. Area. Geweroepathoi. Gewerbeayg. T3, 374-381 (1954). German. The subject of ocular changes in workers with silver compounds is discussed. In three workers recovering silver from photographic film, ocular changes were noted although full examination disclosed no other sign of definite argyrosis. The changes consisted in a grayness or blu ish iridescence of the ocular conjunctiva with discoloration or blacken ing of the caruncle. On examination with the slit lamp deposits of silver were visible particularly in the region of Oescemet's membrane. N'o other abnormalities were found and vision was unimpaired. The effect, then, is one of appearance, which may be particularly important in young women workers. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 814 Tin as a Poison. Annotation, Brit. Med. J. 2, 693-694 (Sept. 18, 1954). The tin can has been used successfully for food preservation on a vast scale for a century. Tin is present in most canned food (pre sumably in uncoated cans ed. ) in concentrations of 20 to 50 ppm., but no ill effects have ever been attributed to tin so consumed. It is gen erally assumed that tin is nontoxic, but the evidence rests on only a few animal experiments. Simple tin salts have been used in the treatment of furunculosis without untoward results, and are listed in pharmacope ias and textbooks. Their value, however, has been questioned by a num ber of investigators. Recently an organic tin compound (diethyl tin diiodide combined with linoleic acid or "vitamin F") was put on sale and widely prescribed for furunculosis in France. So far it is believed that over 50 people have died before the cause of their fatal illness was trac ed to this new therapeutic preparation. The fatal cases are said to have suffered from encephalopathy. Although there is practically no evidence for toxicity of tin from cans or the simple salts, the French experience emphasizes the need of further work on the organic compounds of tin. (For recent work on toxicity of such compounds see IHF Absts. 428, 429 April 1955 and 541 May 1955). 815 Note on the Importance to Industrial Medicine of Dusts Containing Vanadium. W. Massmann and H. Opitz. Arch. Gewerbepathol. Gewerbehyg. ^_3, 353-362 (1954). German. The authors report on the results of examinations of 64 workers exposed to dusts containing vanadium over periods of a month to 13 years. Over half the workers complained of coryza, especially from slag dust and metavanadate and vanadium pentoxide dusts; conjunctivitis was found among the cleaners of vessels. The symptoms were not severe at the time of the examinations. Irritation and dryness of the throat, cough, 11 206 276 21. Industrial Hygiene Digest July. 1955 bronchitis, headache, weakness/ and giddiness were among the com plaints; Radiographic examination showed no signs of lung fibrosis or chronic bronchitis. The* conclusion was that dust containing vanadium had no substantially toxic action under the conditions found/ Exhaust ventilation and respiratory protection may be responsible for the ab sence of toxicity. (Particle counts and chemical composition of the dust are given in the original paper but not in the abstract at hand). -.. Cond; from Bull. Hyg. .. ' 1' ^ V' .' '; . .*/;. . ' "* 816 Industrial H**ards of Acetone; Clinical-Signs, Work Conditions, and Toxicology. -`Is/ Parmeggiaui and C. Sassi. Med. lavoro 45, 431-468 (1954). Italian. j' A. survey was made of three plants using acetone and carbon disulfide as a solvent for polyvinyl chloride textiles, using acetone lacquer for hottles, and-spinning acetone-rayon acetate, respectively. Acetone concentrations in the first two plants ranged from 0. 03 to 0. 35 mg. acetone:per liter of air; in the third plant, 0. 06 to 2.18 mg. per liter. In the third plant five workers' had acute narcosis, but many others complained of itchy eyes, burning throat, gastric pain, nervous ness, and insomnia, which are attributed to chronic toxicity. Acetonuria of 5. 0 to 175 mg. per 1. was found.. :It is believed that the toler ance limithf 1000 ppm'!(2. 3 mg. per 1.) of acetone in air is too high and shouldvb;eflowered1 to-;5OOppm. Detailed accounts of experimental studies in man are given (see Chem. 'Abate. 49, 6509, May 10, 1955). They include determinations of acetone in blood,: urine, and tissues, ... and their correlation with air concentrations. Expired^air should.be analyzed to determine the time a worker should be exposed at a given , job, acetone should be kept from the skin, and fluids should be given to promote excretion. -. Blood, ac etone or urine excretion of acetone per . minute are aiso better than* air unnlysis to detect intoxication. -- Cond. from Chem. Absts. (Also abstracted in Arch. Ind. Health 11/ May 1955, with the reviewer's note thnt-the statements in the,paper do not accord with American experi ence in the large-scale use of' acetone, ^ especially in the cellulose acetate rayon industry. ) 817 Toxicologic* Considerations in Direct':Process Spirit Duplicating Machines. W. H. Kingsley and F. G. Kirsch. Compens.Med. b, 7-8 (Dec. 1954- Feb. 1955). -1 The use.of spirit duplicating machines, constitutes an often overlooked hazard to office workersj /Workers with such machines and those in the vicinity friquehtly complained of recurring, and per sistent headaches. % Five of six solutions commonly used with these machines contain 60 to 98% methanol, and air concentrations of meth- 11 206 2766 Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 anol during their use with dosed windows varied from 90 to 3 00 ppm. These concentrations constitute a definite hazard. The sixth contains 5fc methanol and its air concentration was 15 ppm. When windows are open the concentrations drop to fractions of values given. The remedial measures consisted in removal of the machines to places where ventila tion was better or use of exhaust devices, and the selection of fluids low in methanol. 818 The Chronic Toxicity of Trichloroethylene. W. K. NowiU, C. R. Stephen, and G. Margolis. Anesthesiology 1_5, 462-465 (1954). In one dog, three rabbits, and three rats kept for 90 days in an atmosphere of 0. 05 to 0.1 volume % of michloroethylene for 18 hours per day, growth rate, renal, liver, and hematopoietic functions remain ed normal. Autopsy revealed no gross or microscopic lesions attribut able to the prolonged trichloroethylene exposure. -- Chem. Absts. 819 Mode of Action of Carbon Disulfide. T. Ueniahi. Kobe J. Med. Sci. 1, 233-250 (1954). Effects of carbon disulfide on the potential of the isolated sci atic nerve and on the sartorius muscle of the toad are described. In acute carbon disulfide poisoning in humans the serum cholinesterase wss depressed but tributyrinase was not affected. Depression of cho linesterase activity in serum and in the brain of animals was demon strated and measured. - - Cond. from Chem. Absts. 820 Pharmacological Studies on Silicones. C. Gloxhuber and G. Hechi. Arzneimittel-Forsch. 5] 10-12 (1955). German. Dimethylpolysiloxane oils of Various polymerization grades were tested pharmacologically on rats. Silicone oil" 50" consisting of approximately 50 dimethylsiloxane units, silicone "100", and anti- foam Bayer were given orally in doses of 10 to 20 mg. per kg. to rats, and the antifoam also to cats, rabbits, and dogs. A phenylmethylsilox- ane resin was given in doses up to 10 g. per kg. orally. In no case was any toxic action observed. The first two were also given undiluted and as aqueous emulsions intraperitoneally at 1 to 5 g. per kg.; they are stored in the body in the form of fine drops without causing serious damage to the tissue. Inhalation of the two products as sprays in var ious animal species proved to be harmless in subchronic tests. Local application to the skin caused no sensitization. -- Chem. Absts. 11 206 276 23. Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 821 Benzene Hazard in Factories Making Gasoline, P. Poulain and Thomas. Arch, maladies profess. 15, ,,4081-411,, (1954). The state of health of men employed in an old refinery where .... crude oil was rectified in themakingof gasoline is compared with their state alter the plant had been reconstructed.. The symptoms, which are described;' are attributed to benzene poisoning. Considerable improve, ment foUowed .admiaistration.of ascorbic acid. The symptoms were aolonger evident in the new refinery,: in which precautions were taken for escape of the vapors. Workers in such plants should be .under medical supervision and-have frequent blood examinations; ` - Cond. from Arch. Ind. Health 822 Hemorrhagic Diathesis AttilHbuted ib;"Warfarin',~PQisoaing. P. Green. Can. Med. Assn. J. 72, 769-770; (May 15, 1955). , Warfarin, or 3-(a-acetonylbenzyl)-4-hydroxycoumaritiI is a dicoumarol-like substance with a prolonged and hence cumulative action. It has been used in clinical medicine, but 'is mainly used as a rodenticide under a variety of trade names. A few human poisoning cases have been reported.y The author describees a case of hemorrhagic diathesis associated with hypothrombinemia.i Circumstantially, the condition was attributed to warfarin. 823 ' The Effect of 3:5-Dinitro.ortho-Cresol on Phosphocreatine and the Adenosine Phosphate^ Compounds of Rat Tissues. Wi. H. Parker. Biochem. J. 57, 381-386 (July 1954). : . The extreme muscular rigidity'which develops at or very soon after death by DNOC poisoning is attributed on the*basis of animal exper. iments to depletion of energy -rich phosphate compounds in skeletal bus* cle, brain, heart, and diaphragm. ' Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 324 Aplastic Anemia Due to Trinitrotoluene Intoxication. M; A. D..Crawford. Brit. Med. J. 2, 430-437 (Aug. 21, 1954). ; A few persons out'of many, thousands'exposed to TNT develop aplastic anemia/' A^repoirt'is presented on 27 cases, with15 deaths, that occurred in Great'Britain during the last war. The case histories of eight patients are given; ' Particular, attention is paid to the effect of TNT on the bone marrow. TNT can gain'access to the body through the skin, by inhalation, or by ingestibn. The first effect is deprivation of hemoglobin. At first the bone marrow reacts by increasing its normal action to replace erythrocytes., Liter the marrow fail* and 'becomes hypocellular. Then follows a profound nbrmocytic anemia, with agran ulocytosis ,aad a low platelet count/ Toxic anemia has a most insidious 24. 11 206 2768 I Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 onset and may become well established before being recognized; pallor is the most certain indication that blood examination is needed. A de crease in hemoglobin of more than 10% is a danger signal. Lack of cleanliness at work is an important factor. Removal from exposure ij the first essential in treatment. Blood transfusions are not always suc cessful. Once the anemic state was established it was not reversible but advanced to a fatal end. -- Cond. from Arch. Ind. Health 825 Insecticide Safety. Editorial. J. Agr. Food Chem. 3, 373-374 (May 1955). This editorial discusses the problems of insecticide manufac turers and federal and state agencies in preventing insecticide poison ing. Some of the largest manufacturers have taken elaborate precau tions in labeling and controlling distribution, and the smaller formula tors must lean heavily on basic producers and others for large scale safety promotion. Governmental agencies have added greatly to the program. Fatality records differ greatly among different states, and safety regulations also differ. Carelessness and ignorance cause near ly all insecticide mishaps, some of which axe incredible. The good labels go about as fax as a label can go, and labels are read widely, but this, unfortunately, is no guarantee of effectiveness. Complete or partial illiteracy and unfamiliarity with English is a problem. At least one manufacturer prints labels in Spanish and Portuguese as well as English. Color is not a safe remedy as many people are color blind. Another problem is physician's unfamiliarity with proper treatment. The easy way out of this safety maze is the use of less hazardous insecticides, and there is a trend in that direction. 826 Toxicity Criteria Used in Judging the Labeling of Pesticides. J. C. Ward. Am. J. Public Health 45, 723-727 (June 1955). The history of governmental regulation of the labeling and sale of pesticides is presented, and the provisions of the present laws and the procedures used in their enforcement axe described. The proce dures differ according to the uses of the products. Sprays intended for use in the home, and materials that may leave residues on food, call for tests regulations in addition to those involved in general agri cultural use. There are no simple, fixed procedures which may be fol lowed by a manufacturer and, will always insure acceptance of a pesti cide for interstate sale when results are favorable. On account of varia tions in scientific opinions, a flexible procedure is maintained whereby each poison may be studied individually and on its own merits. The amendment adopted in July, 1954, defines the responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture and of the Food and Drug Administration in establishing tolerances. 11 206 276 25. 'v' '' -u1 !r- k ' 'v Industrial Hygiene Digest " !:' an '' " i"*V . --v- July, 1955 827 Interaction of the Isomers of Benrene Hexachloride in Mien. K4 van Asperen. Arch., intern, pharoiacodyhamie .:99.; 368-3.77 The toxicity Of the gunmi isomer of benzene hexachloride is much greater for mice than that of the alpha or delta, isomers, but the two latter decrease the toxicity of the former. This is believed to be competitive inhibition. Chem. Absts. 828 Cyclethrin, a Readily Synergisable gyrethrinlike Insecticide; H. L. Haynes. H, R. Guest, and H. A; StansbuTy. Proc. Chem. Specialties Mfrs. Assn. pp. 109-111, (May 1954). Cyclethrin has some advantages over allethrin as an insecti cide. It is no snore toxic than allethrin and pyrcthrins to warm-blooded animals. . ' *' -- Coed, from Chem. Absts. 829 The Mechanism of Action ot Anticholinesterase Compounds on the Patellar Reflex^ E. M. Robinson and others. - J. Pharmacol. Exptl. Therap 110, 385-391 (Apr.: 1954).; .v / The Part Played by Inhibittoa of Cholinestera of the CNS in Producing Paralysis in Chickens. L. Austin and D. R. Davies; . Brit.: J. Pharmacol.' 9, 145-152 (June 1954). ^~ Cholinesterase inhibition at^ the Myocardial,.Junction. F, A. Den*. Brit. J. ExpU. Pathol. 35, 459-471 (Oct. 1954). ....... : :'v, V;".*:;: : The Inhibition of- Cholinesterases by 3-(Diethyloxyphos- phihyloxy)-N-Methylquinolium Methylsulfate and Its Tertiary Base.. F.. Hobbiger. . .Brit. J. .Pharmacol. 9, 159-165 (June 1954). ,;?>v r : . The first three of these papers dealj in detail srtth various systemic ef fects of various anticholinestaras ecompounds. The fourth discusses the anticholinesterase effects of a .class of newly synthesised compounds. The papers will be of Lnterest to persons making a thorough study of aatieholiaesterase compounds, including organie phosphorus insecticides. * --Abstracted,in Bull. Hyg. 830 Acetylcholine Production in Animals Poisoned by Diethyl-p-Nitrophenyl Phosphate (ParSoxon). ' J. M. Barnes: and Janet I.; Duff. Brit. J; Pharm acol. 9, 153-158 (June 1954). V; : / ^ Paraoxon is a powerful cholinesterase; inhibitor. ,, Anesthetized rabbits given a lethdi dose ofparaoxon can be revived by artificial res piration provided they have been given full doses of atropine, beforehand. M. 11 206 2770 . I l Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 They then become insensitive to further injections of the same dose of paraozon. They remain very sensitive, however, to the effects of ace tylcholine. Experiments on blood levels of acetylcholine in various animals poisoned by paraoxon but kept alive with atropine and artifi cial respiration are reported in detail. The findings are discussed and an explanation is offered for them. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 831 Health Hazards of Drifting Parathion Dust Cloud. P. E. Braid, J. P. Windish, and C. R. Ross. Arch. Ind. Health 11, 403-407 (May 1955 ) Dusting of a vegetable crop was carried out with a commer cial insecticide consisting of 1% parathion in a clay diluent applied at 40 lb. per acre. For wind speeds in the range three to eight miles per hour, parathion was found at breathing height sufficient to constitute a respiratory hazard (0. 1 microgram per liter) at a distance of approxi mately 260 feet. Parathion was found on vegetation exceeding the limit for safe handling (65 micrograms per 100 sq. in.), for dusting periods of 30 to 60 minutes, to distances of 280 and 390 feet respectively. An equation is given for the relation of distance to time. -- Cond. from authors' summary 832 Parathion Spray Concentrations and Residues in Quebec Apple Orchards. P. E. Braid, J. P. Windish, and C. R. Ross. Arch. Ind. Health _U, 408-412 (May 1955). Values are given for average spray concentrations of para thion in the operator's breathing zone, and concentrations on apple foliage immediately following spraying, and at intervals thereafter, for specified application of 15% parathion wettable powder. Under conditions of very light wind no significant concentration was found within an hour or more after spraying. The data reported indicate that with concentrate sprayers symptoms of severe poisoning are not likely to occur, provided that elementary precautions are ob served in the handling and use of the insecticide. Several severe cases of parathion in the area proved on investigation to be caused by negligence. Typical of such exposures are direct skin exposure during nozzle cleaning, wearing of nonwaterproof clothing drenched with spray, and excessive skin contact with the concentrated para thion during tank cleaning. Thus it appears that many users have not been sufficiently impressed with the need for proper handling. .. Cond. from authors' summary 1 Industrial Hygiene Digest ; July; 1955' ! 833 Parathion Residuals on Immature Peaches and the Hazard in Spraying and Thinning Operations. P/E, Braid and G. G. Dustan. J. Econ. 7 Entomol. 48 , 44.46 (Feb. 1955). In the peach orchards of the Niagara district of Ontario, ill effects suppciedly due to -residual-parathion during thinning operations have emphasized the need for an evaluation of the dangers associated with orchard procedures;. 'Therefore, measures of the parathion rest. due loss-have been followed in order to estimate, the duration of the ex posure hazard. For parathion spray application rates of 1 and 2 lbs. of 15% wettable powder per. 1000 lbs. of whter, initial residues on im mature peaches were H30 to',70 micrograms per 100 cc., respectively, Initial rates of, decay pfiresidue oh the fruit for the above application rates were 2.2 and 4.2 micrograms per 100 cc. per day. The initial rate of decay persisted for approximately 12 to 14 days, and subse quently leveled off to a.lower value.: The 14,day waiting period (7, if protective clothing is worn) between spraying and .thinning of peaches recommended, by the Canadian Department of Agriculture should be retained for the present. . -- Cond. from authors' summary (Public Health Eng. Absts.) j ! ; 1 j j ! | i i ; j 834 An Attempt at Suicide by: Means of Parathion Treatment with an Ally! Derivative of the Morphinian Group. M. P. Engelmeier. Med. Klin.. 49, 1996-1998 (DeO. 10,4954). German; A case of poisohing by ingestion of,parathion is described. . The significant feature of the case was the immediately successful treatment of the neurological condition by an allyl derivative of the group of morphinians. iwhich is stated to be a specific antidote in morphine poisoning. The allyl derivative has not specific protective - effect against parathion in animal experiments butit is probable that it acts synergically with atropine (which ;was previously administered) or increases the potency of atropine.r Cond. from. Bull. Hyg. ! ' j 835 Mortality among Workers in Cigarette Factories. H. F. Dorn and W1. S.Baum. Ind. Med, k Surg. 24, 239-241 (June 1955). A study made in England and Wales oyer the period 1921-1932 showed higher mortality rates from cancer of the lung and larynx in the tobacco industries-than in the general population. In view of those results and the reported association-between smoking and lung cancer, a study whs maids of the mortality rates of employees engaged in pro cessing cigarettes for the American Tobacco Company. The results of the study show that'the total mortality rate of these employees is , definitely lower than that for the general population of Virginia and North Carolina.. This.'is true for all causes, for cancer, and for car- . ' 11 206 2772 I 'i Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 diovascular diseases. The death rates for respiratory cancer and for coronary disease among employees of the company do not differ appre ciably from those of the general population. Credit is given to the med ical care program of the company, which has been in operation since 1946. 336 Oyes. Queries and Minor Notes, J. Am. Med. Assn. 158, 519 (June 11, 1955). The question, is whether methylrosaniline, used in hectographs and other duplicating machines, produces any toxic effects when splashed into the eye. This dye, which is a mixture, and several others of simi lar composition, are used in mixtures in treating skin affections and to a slight degree in otology and ophthalmology. Nevertheless, it is wide ly believed that these dyes in some variations are harmful in connection with surface injuries and that all may be harmful on ingestion in sub stantial quantity. It has been reported that indelible pencils are more harmful when they penetrate the skin or eye than ordinary lead pencils. It is possible that the injury may be caused by another constituent than the dye. The same may be true of hectograph ink. All things considered, it appears likely that some members of the group of dyes loosely termed "methyl violet", including methylrosaniline, can be harmful. 837 Control of Ragweed and Poison Ivy. L. W. Van Kleeck. Conn. Health Bull. 69, 138-146 (June 1955). Literature on ragweed and poison ivy control is summarized. In the section on poison ivy, the subjects include nature of the plant, treatment of poisoning, and control of the plant. The best control meth od is the use of modern herbicides, of which several are recommended. INDUSTRIAL DUSTS 838 Studies on Dust Respirators. Report No. 3. T. Oki. Reports of The Institute for Science of Labor, Annual Report for 1953 (Tokyo, Japan) 47, 63 (Aug. 1954). A study was made to estimate the duration of dust respirators used by rock drillers in a metal mine. The main cause of inefficiency 11 206 27 29. Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 , . of the respirators was the increase in breathing resistance of filter layers. Therefore the most important measure to prolong their life span is to keep them clean and tidy. Oust particles are filtered most ly by the outer layer. Therefore, the outer layer should be kept clean or renewed. Fluffiness of the outer layer is preferable to smoothness, because the accumulated dust would cause less increase in breathing resistance. -- Coed, from Public Health Eng. Absts. 839 Quantitative Results of Dust Coagulation when Using Aerosols Under ground in a Coal Mine. L. Dautrebande, H. Beckmann, and W. Walkenhorst. Beitf. Silikose-Forsch. No. 31, 1-27 (1954). German. The method of dust coagulation by a salt aerosol previously used in the laboratory (IHF Abst. 88; Jan. 1955) was"applied in a coal mine. The aerosor consistedof 2 to 5% sodium chloride solution, re leased at 800 to 900 cc. per hour from each of ten generators. Several methods were used in sampling the dust before and after treatment. Although a slight increase in total dust often occurred, the dust was coarser after treatment.^ The peak in particle number was shifted from 1 to about 3 microns. By use of a lung retention curve, the auth ors conclude that more than two-thirds.of all respirable particles pre sent are converted to non-respirable; aggregates by the process. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 840 On the Dust Contamination of Air in Underground Railway. K. Kimura, Y. Murayama, and T. Taguchi. Reports of the Inst, for Science and Labor, Annual Report for 1953 (Tokyo, Japan) .47, 57 (Aug. 1954). Dust contaminations of air in subway trains in summer were measured with the Roken dust counter and the electrostatic precipita tor. In the. morningiand evening rush hours the dust concentration was ' sometimes over 1, 000 particles per cc. in,the exits and station plat form. The greater part of the suspended dust was organic, and iron particles were below,1% * tbe total by,weight. The number of dust particles in.the car in the morning rash period closely paralleled the number of passengers. In cae accumulated dust on the wall of the sub way, iron particles were over 5.0%' of the total by weight. --Cond. from Public Health Eng. Absts. 841 Contribution to the Knowledge of the Electrical Properties of Coarse Colloidal Aerosols. W. Jutai. Staub, No. 36, 165-212 (June 15, 1954). German. The literature on electrical charges on aerosols and methods for their determination is reviewed. The author's method consisted of a modified ultramicroscopical procedure, in which the particles fall 30. tt 206 Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 under gravity end ere deflected sideways by e vertical electricel field. From photogrephic registration records tbe size end charge of individ ual particles were determined. Tbe materials examined bad a size range of 0. 3 to 3 microns. All materials were suspended in normal, dry laboratory air. Quartz powder was found to carry equal amounts of positive and negative charges and 95% of tbe particles were charged. The number of charges was proportional to the surface and corresponded to 108 electrostatic units per sq. cm. In anatase (titanium dioxide) pow der there were more positive than negative particles irrespective of size. With hexadecane 93% of the droplets were uncharged and the remainder were bipolar. Most of the charged droplets carried only one charge each irrespective of their size. Ammonium chloride produced by gaseous re action was at first uncharged but rapidly acquired a symmetrical bipolar charge. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 842 Early Bagassosis. S. K. Ganguly and S. C. Pal. J. Indian Med. Assn. 24, 253-254 (Jan. I, 1955). The course of bagassosis is described and three cases in a paper Twill are reported. Hemoptysis and breathlessness were the symptoms. One was cured by rest and freedom from exposure; a sec ond had the symptoms immediately on returning to work and was treat ed with penicillin, as was also the third patient. All recovered with complete resolution of the x-ray findings which consisted of mottlings over both lungs. Tubercle bacilli were not found in these cases, but a number of cases of tuberculosis occurred in the mill. Bagassosis is a serious condition calling for immediate withdrawal from exposure. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 843 Grain-Dust Pneumoconiosis. J. R. Ruttner and A. Stofer. Schweiz, med. Wochschr. 84, 1433-1436 . (Dec. 25, 1954). German. A case of pneumoconiosis in a grain miller is described. His principal exposure was to dust in the grain mill, although he had occa sionally dressed the grindstones. The symptoms and course of the dis ease resembled those of silicosis. He died of increasing heart failure, with widespread edema, ascites, and congestion of the liver and lungs. Autopsy and histological examination showed fibrotic changes resem bling those of silicosis but no evidence of mineral particles was found; the particles in the nodules were of vegetable origin and could be identi fied botanically as grain dust. The condition was therefore classed as grain-dust pneumoconiosis. Radiographic appearances and histological sections are illustrated. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 11 206 27 31. Industrial Hygiene Digest '` " : , K., \ .p:,' July, 1955 844 Management, and Treatment of Patients with Coal-Workers* Pneumo- coniosis. J. C. Gilson and G. S. Kilpatrick. Brit. Msd. J. I, 994- 999 (Apr. 23. 1955). >' 1 ! Coal workers*'pneumoconiosis has twb forms:' simple pneumo coniosis, which is rarely disabling except in elderly men; and compli- cated pneumoconiosis, which! may ciuse severe disability after the age of ^35 and is a modified form of tuberculosis; Under the present British - regulations, Imeu with either form are eligible for compensation. The benefit paid is determined by the severity of the disability and not by . the.degree of abnormality of the chest film. Miners receiving compen sation may continue to work underground under dust-approved conditions. The nature of the disease, compensation,: and re-employment are dis cussed in some detail. There is need for more exchange of information between the doctors with whom a miner with pneumoconiosis is likely to consult. Treatment of; the acute pulmonary infections, bronchospasm, and cor pulmonale, and some of the principal symptoms in these cases, is briefly described. ; -- Cond. from authors* summary j. i 845 Silicosis Haxkrd in the Working of Clays. L.Peretti and E. Occella. Med, lavoro 45, 700-714 (Dec. 1954).; Italian. - A list is given of the main mineralogical cbnstitutents of clays and of their association in the various lithological types, in relation to their genesis and.evolution. Particular attention is devoted to the de tection of freesillca in the most common raw materials. The origin . of free silica in igneous and sedimentary rocks is discussed. The usu al fine structure and complex mineralogical composition of clays pre sent'difficulties, th. their analytical study. The chemical and petrograph ic analysis must often be supplemented by other methods, such as ther mal, x-rays, and electrodialysis. By such means it is possible to find in many, materials used in industry the conditions for a potential silico sis hazard, besides the hazard of generical aspeciflc pneumoconiosis. The association of free silica with some hydrosilicates may, according to recent views, accentuate their silicosis hazard. This consideration finds Support in clinical literature. Cond.from authors' summary (Public Health Eng. Absts.) ." * v : I, . j 844 Dnst Hazards in the Enamel Industry. K. Meures. Staub. No. 36, 260-264 (June 15, 1954). Germv an. .rV' , ` Vitreous enamels may cbntein between 20 and 80% of tree or total silica,, according to purpose. Fine dust may arise during the mix ing of the enamel and its application to metal surfaces, and in the prep aration of these by sand -blastings Enamel-spraying appears to be par ticularly hazardous. Improvements in conditions may be achieved by 11 206 2776 32 Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 batter ven6ila.ti.oa and dust-extraction equipment, by use of respirators, and by segregation of dust-producing processes. Investigations of the silicosis harard are made difficult because few workers remain for long in one employment. -- Bull. Hyg. 847 Can Chewing Prevent Silicosis? F. Breidenbach. Beitr. SilikoseForsch. No. 29, 53-64 (1954). German. The theory that people who chew tobacco or gum do not develop silicosis is based on the argument that chewing forces them to breathe through the nose and that the increased production of saliva binds the dust. The author investigated the subject by questions in the course of radiological surveys of about 7,000 coal miners, 10% of whom chewed tobacco. The statistics showed no correlation when age differences were considered. Dust isolated from chewing gum after its use by working miners showed a peak at 8 microns, and only 17% by number of particles were below 5 microns. Most of such dust is too coarse to enter the alveoli. It is concluded that chewing of tobacco or gum affords no protection against silicosis. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 848 Critical Comments on the Assessment of Silicosis and Silico-Tuberculosis by Clinical, X-Ray, and Autopsy Findings. G. Worth and W. Nerreter. Beitr. Silikose-Forsch. No. 30, 1-30 (1954). German. Discrepancies sometimes occur between the results of clinical and x-ray examinations, on which silicosis compensation awards are made, and the findings on the same cases at autopsy. An extensive in vestigation of the correlation of those findings was conducted. The most frequent cause was complication by tuberculosis. Clinical underesti mates were also in several cases due to emphysema, which may mask lung fibrosis on x-ray films. Comparisons on 207 cases showed that in 32% silicotubereulosis diagnosed clinically was not confirmed post mor tem, in 4% it had not been found clinically, and in 64% there was agree ment. In a group of 401 cases, silicotubereulosis was found at autopsy in 43%; of these 80% were actively progressive. Most of them had sili cosis stage two or three. Silicosis of the hilar lymph nodes, usually not diagnosed clinically, was found in one-third of the cases. Bronchitis also tended to be underestimated clinically. It was found in 80% of the cases at autopsy, and was chiefly present in stage three silicosis. Some degree of bronchiectasis was found in nearly half the cases at autopsy although it was rarely found clinically. By selective bronchography it can be demonstrated that in ad vanced silicosis bronchial deformity is the most frequent complication. A few notes and x-rays illustrate incorrect clinieal diagnoses caused by mitral stenosis or other complications. - - Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 11 206 2777 33. Industrial Hygiene Digest ,, ' ^. July, 1955 849 Oxygen Pressure,in Relation to Oxygen Saturation in Chronic Lung Dis ease:-with Special! Reference to Silicosis. F. Frlehoff and K. Karraach. Beitr. Silikose-Forsch. No. 26, 1-79 (1954). German. The research described is the;,first of a aeries on the pathophysiology of silicosis, sponsored by; the Silicosis Research Institute of the German Mining Association. Theresuits of research on 228 ' persons are described and preaented in tablea. diagrams, and x-ray photographs. Among the, conclusions!are: (l)'ia severe silicosis there is frequently a lowering .of oxygen pressure and saturation which is due ' . to the shrinking of-tide lung and the compensatory emphysema which follows; (2) ozygen inhalstion experiments enable differentiation to be made between hypoxemia Of short duration and that due to difficulties in oxygen absorption;-add; (3) oxjmetric-ergometric experimental.re.suits permit distinction between left-heart lesions ,in which there is a lowering of oxygen saturation and pure primary respiratory inauificiency in which no such .diminution occurs.; Good.; from Bull. Hyg. j j j [ -j j > j J j ; | 850 Lang Biopsy in Diffuse Pulmonary Disease. P. 'A. Theodos, F. F. Allbritten, Jr., and R. L.1 Breckenridge. Diseases of Chest 27, 637-648 (June 1955). j I `' 1 He use of lung biopsy under local anesthesia for investigation of diffuse pulmonary lesions .in 50 patients is reported. A specific diag nosis of the pulmonary lesion was made in27 of the 50 by histologic study ofthebiopay tissue;- -Theprocedure was well:tolerated and produced minimal complications except in ane case which ended fatally. It has its greatest Applicability in -those" bases: where a specific patho logical entity ip present. (Of the 50 eases, 17 drere of the pneumo conioses, including silicosis, asbestoais, berylliosis, anthracosis, and anthrafpsilicosiai^the method;was; 100% -applicable, in the. first three and would be nearly 100% in the last'two if they were not distinguished). In general lung biopsy affords a rapid accurate method for the determin ation ofthe medico-legal status, and-determining the prognosis of dif fuse pulmonary lesions. Eight cases illustrating the yalne of this pro cedure are described in detaiL -- Adapted from authors1 summary 851 The Treatment of Compensable Silicotuberculoaia with Chemothera peutic Drugs and Antibiotics;, W.Neef. Beitr. Silikose-Forsch. No. 30, 31-47: (1954). German. Several chemotherapeutic drugs and antibiotics were used ex perimentally in the treatment of 286 patients in a large miners' hospital in the Ruhr during the past three years. The drugs used included Conte ben (thiosemicarbazone j, PAS (4-aminosalicylic acid), streptomycin, and isoniaaid. , Some degree of success id delaying progression of the i ii 1 11 206 27 34. ; -4 - " i Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1?55 T disease was obtained with each of these materials, but there was no significant reduction in x-ray appearances in advanced siiicotuberculosis. Isoniaztd was much less effective in silicotuberculosis than in incomplicated tuberculosis. Periodic changes from streptomycin to thiocar'oazone and isomazid is considered the best for prolonged treat ment. The extent and degree of tuberculous and silicotic lung changes influences both the progression and the effectiveness of such treatment. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 852 Investigations on the Acute Effects of Qligo- and Polysilicic Acids in Animal Experiments. H. Antweiler. Beitr. Silikose-Forsch. No. 29, 17-52 (1954). German. This paper describes at length a number of observations on the pharmacologic effects of silicic acids, a subject neglected by ex perimentation in the past. The object was to study the intermediate stages between dust inhalation and the occurrence of fibrosis in the lung tissue, but no close parallel was attempted. Colloidal silica solutions were used in ell the experiments. The relative proportions of colloidal and ammonium-molybdate reactive silica were not always known. The subjects investigated included: lethal dose of silica solu tion, mobility of the pseudopodia of frog leucocytes; human erythroc yte sedimentation tate; effects on the ciliated epithelium of the mouth of frogs; effects on venules, arterioles, and capillaries; perfusion effects on isolated Legs of guinea pigs and frogs; effects on isolated hearts; ef fects on blood pressure; and contraction of smooth muscles. All the observations are considered to be due to an irreversible astringent ac tion of the silica on the collagenous portion of the interstitial tissues. The author considers it likely that quartz dust in the lungs can by dissolving build up silica concentrations above 25 micrograms silica per ml., the lowest he found to have any effect at all, and this should initiate fibrosis of the lungs, especially if removal of the dissolved sil ica is inhibited by lymph blocking and compression of capillaries. -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 853 The Action of Dissolved Silica on the Phagocytic Activity of Leucocytes. K. Schimpf. Beitr. Silikose-Forsch. No. 31, 41-53 (1954). German. In continuation of the work of Luhning (EHF Abst. 570, May 1955) the effects of mono- and poly-silicic acids at a concentration of 100 mi crograms of silica per ml. were compared. The test object was leuco cytes prepared from rabbit blood. Their capacity to ingest rice-starch grains was tested by a technique which is described in full detail. The test involved counting many hundreds of cells with and without ingested starch on microscopic slides, and between 30 and 40 slides, including the controls, were counted in this work. It was found that "aged" poly- 35. 11 206 2779 Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 silicic acid with a highdegree ofpolymerization distinctly inhibited mo bility and phagocytosis, that freshly prepared poly silicic acid had very little effect, and that monosilicic acid-had nO effect at ai'i on phagocytosis. f-'.'- -;;:r '-- Bull. Hyg. 854 TheReactivity of Finely GroundQuartz.C. Claeys and E. Quinot. Stauh, No. 37, ,393-403 (Sept. 15, 1954). German! : The surface layers of finely ground quartz and of silica were dissolved in distilledwater^ Optical; electrical, and chemical proper ties of the solutions were investigated, and their visible and ultraviolet absorption spectra were examined.:. Anomalies in the quartz spectra are attributed to carbon dioxide.' The carbon dioxide content of the solu tion, estimated by Van Slyke's method, was greater than could be ac counted for by^.carboa dioxide dissolved in the distilled and degassed water used in the experiments! The. abnormal reactivity of finely ground quarts particles is ascribed to the presence of carbon dioxide, in the shape of carboxylgroups forming-a complex with the silica; It is claimed that several bioiogical effects of fine quartz may be explained by means' of this hypothesis.! . / . Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 855 Primary Cortical-Cell Tianor of this Peritoneum in a Case of Asbesto- sis. F.'Letcher. Arch.' Gewerbepath. Gewerbehyg. 13, 382-392 (1954). German. ;j : A case.of asbestosis following long exposure to asbestos is described. In addition to typical symptom* had findings,, leptomenin- . gitis was present and tubercle bacilli were found inthe spinal fluid. The patient died.with; cachexia. Autopsy showed tuberculosis of the lumbar- spine with bilateral psoas abscess and mixed infection in both lungs. . 'Asbestosis',: stage two, whs found in the lungs with definite fi brosis; there was slight asbestosis in the lymphatic glands, and asbes tos bodies were found in the'spleen! On the peritoneum of the mesen tery and over the peritohOal cavity jthere were thickened patches and many small nodules; ,a flat tumor, half the size of a hand and 1 cm. in thickness, was attached to the peritoneum on the .under side of the dia phragm. The results of the examination of Ota tumor are fully describ ed and illustrated. .Asbestos was found in the tumor tissues by x-ray diffraction, it is uncertain how the asbestos reached the peritoneal cav ity; the most probable route was thought to be by direct penetration of the asbestos fibers from theTung throiigh'the pleura and thence through the'diaphragm. ' ^ Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 856 Respiratory Diseasei among Welders. R. Charr. Am. Rev Tuberc 71_. 877-884 (June 1955). In two cases of siderosis due to welding, there was evidence of localized fibrosis within the areas of deposits of iron oxide, as shown by the histologic studies of the tissues. The extent of fibrosis was min imal and caused no respiratory insufficiency. In four cases, pulmonary function studies were carried out. The findings were consistent with mild emphysema. Among 250 welders examined roentgenographicaily, approximately 5% showed pulmonary changes such as exaggerated Lin ear shadows, particularly about the hilar regions, and scattered nodular shadows indistinguishable from silicosis in some of them. -- Author's summary PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT 857 Proposed Program in Ergonomics: Human Engineering. T. F. Hatch. Mech. Eng. T7, 394-395 (May 1955). Ergonomics is the basic area of applied science which is con cerned with the study of human behavior in response to external stress, with particular reference to the stress-strain problems of man at work. The author proposes that the American Society of Mechanical Engineers set up a program for the development of a branch of engineering, called human engineering, which deals primarily with the human factor in en gineering design. As the first step in'this development it is necessary, in cooperation with specialists from the biological and social sciences, to expand the parent field of ergonomics, on which human engineering rests. 858 The Hearing Problem in Workmen's Compensation. O. C. Risch. Compens. Med. 6^ 4-6 (Dec. 1954 - Feb. 1955). The author reviews and discusses the various methods that have been used for the establishment of degree of hearing loss, includ ing: the Bell Telephone Laboratory (Fletcher) method, first used in 1920; the AMA binaural method and its modifications; the New York compromise; the Wisconsin principle of weighted values; and the Mis souri method. The Fletcher and AMA methods gave widely varying results, and often the two methods were used in presenting opposite 11 206 2781 37. Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 sides of court cases^ There is as yet no satisfactory and final method. The Subcommittee on Noise in Industry* of the Academy of Ophthalmology , and Otolaryngology is studying the problem and. hopes to have some def inite data in order to correlate percentage loss of hearing in different parts of the country. The committee is also re-evaluating the AMA method. ;;' ' . ... ... ' 859 Desirable Temperatures ih~Offic.es:, Study of Occupant Reaction to the Heating Provided. Flora, Wv,,Black.:;!J, Inst. Heat. Vent. ngrs. (Lon don) ZZ, 319-328 (Nov; 1954)'., " : \, Office workers' assessments of conditions of heating and ventil ation' in their offices during a heating season are examined and compared for two office blocks, one heated by,low-temperature ceiling panels and the other by hot-water radiators. In the range of temperatures considered acceptable, there was no consistent difference between reactions to the two types of heating. Graphs are presented, showing for men and women the variation in assessment of warmth with room temperatures over the range of 60 to 72 F. The findings are discussed in relation to previous work in the field and the currently, recommended, practice. -- Cond. from author's summary (Arch. Ind. Health) 860 This Is the Age of Purposeful Color; Part 1. Work Production. F. Birred. Natl. Safety News 71, 32, 33, 7&-S6 (June 1955). The author reviews the progress made in this country in the use of color in industry, and presents the results of basic research conducted over the past 30`years. Twelve basic principles.are out lined, dealing, with LUuaiiaatioh, directional light, chromatic quality of the light'source,, brightness ratios, aid the centrifugal and centri petal principles (direction of attention.outward or inward). Recom mended standards for the use of various colors are presented. In discussing the monetaryvalue of .the use ofcolor, the author is skep tical of much data, presented by some commercial interests. On the other hand, 'some reliable data has been obtained. One survey dis closes that 757* of the companies questioned were well satisfied with their color programs, and listed various benefits. In another survey, an average increase of 5.`5 7*T in worker efficiency was-found as a con servative estimate. A future paper will discuss color in relation to accident prevention. 861 . Bursitis in Miners' Anklss. T. A. Hunt. Trans. Assn. Ind. Med. Officers 4, 122-124 (Jan. 1955). Cases of bursitis of the ankles of miners working in restricted spaces are described and a suggestion is made as to the cause of this condition. Miners often work in a'sitting position resting on their feet sad the pressure on the ankles is largely responsible for the bursitis. 11 206 Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 RADIOACTIVITY AND X-RADIATION 862 A Cobalt 60 Beam Unit with a Source-Skin Distance of 20 Cm. F. W. Spiers and M. T. Morrison. Brit. J. Radiol. 28j 2-7 (jan. 1955). The authors converted a radium beam unit to one that would operate with a 50 curie cobalt-60 source at a akin distance of 20 cm. The conversion, which was relatively simple, provided well-colli mated beams of high-energy gamma rays having percentage depth doses approximately equivalent to those obtained with x-rays of high voltage 2-3 mm. Cu, at a focus skin distance of 50 cm. The unit has been in clinical use for more than a year, and the protection of the operator and reliability of the pneumatic transference mechanism have proved to be such as to justify the increase in source strength to over 100 curies, which has recently been made. The surface dose is 55 r per minute and the performance of the unit is therefore equal to that of the commonly used "deep" x-ray apparatus, with the added advantage that it provides high-energy gamma rays that are so desir able for the irradiation of the heterogeneous structures of the human body. -- J. Am. Med. Assn. 863 Cerebral Complications Following Cardioangiography. S. N. Chou, L. A. French, and W. T. Peyton. Am. J. Roentgenol. 7Z, 208-210 (Feb. 1955). The authors present the histories of two patients in whom severe neurological complication resulted from cardioangiography using retrograde injections of 70% diodrast. Death resulted in one case. Several possible causes of the complications are discussed. It is reasonably certain that the contrast medium caused at least temporary damage to the central nervous system. - Cond. from J. Am. Med. Assn. 864 Late Clinical Changes Following the Internal Deposition of Radioactive Materials. W. B. Looney. Ann. Internal Med] 42j 378-387 (1955). Almost all the radium is eliminated when taken into the body. The retained radium is deposited irregularly in the skeleton in small areas of high radium concentration. Roentgenographic changes char acteristic of radioelement deposition develop many years after deposi tion. Areas of decreased density occur in compact bone as a result of 39. 11 206 2783 Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 bon* dest^iction. Areas-of increased density occur in cancellous bone as a result of atypical osseous tissue formation. Areas of decreased density on skeletal roentgenographic examination may be the first clini cal evidence of malignancy. Almost all of administered thorium is in definitely retained. The primary sites are liver, spleen, and bone marrow, with less.in,the lungs, .adrenals, etc.-' No-relation can yet be shown between thorium and malignancies. --Chem. Absts. 865 The Handling of,Radioactive Materials. K. W. Bagnall and W. T. Spragg. Atomics 71,-77 (Mar. 1955); 125-129, 133 (May 1955). This paper describes the various techniques used in the han dling of radioactive materials, with particular attention to the needs of the small uses with limited finances. Among the subjects included are laboratory design,- the counting room, office facilities, general behavior in the laboratory, glove boxes, trash disposal, transfer of liquids, and work with high level radiations. In conclusion the authors say that the reader may consider that, the techniques are somewhat complicated, but simplification may follow as experience Increases. Standardization of equipment would encourage development by .the scientific instrument industry and thus reduce the expense of the techniques. 866 Risks from Chronic Irradiation and Their Hematological Control. R. H. Mole. J. Clin. Pathol. T, 267-274 (Nov. 1954). " Periodic blood counts have, been considered an essential part of the radiation protection program in Great Britain, and have practi cally always been made during the. past 30 years. The author questions the present value of the procedure.-v The normal periodic variations in a single person is often too great to permit the determination of incip ient variations due to exposure, and when a large change occurs it may be too late for detection to be of value. Moreover,- the present-day monitoring methods are much more sensitive than the use of blood counts. ' t .r : -- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 867 Oisposing of Radioactive Wastes. A. Wolman and A. E. Gorman. Mech. Eng. 77, 321-324 (Apr. 1955). The following problems connected with disposal of radioactive wastes are discussed in detail: (1) design of equipment for removing radioactive dusts, fumes, and gases from working areas; (2) research in disposal of, combustible wastes by incineration:and related processes; (3) development of sensitive remote-control equipment for handling and transporting highly radioactive materials; and (4) improving methods of heat exchange where extraordinary, temperature conditions exist. 11 206 : 40. i t ? V 4k.v . 11 206 2795 Industrial Hygiene Digest INDEX July, 1955 Accident prevention, problem Acetone, hazards Aerosols electric charges light scattering Air analysis by sound velocity Air pollutants, identification Air pollution analytical method bibliography health hazards, estimation state control visibility measurements Alcoholism in industry rehaoilitation American academy of compensation medicine Anticholinesterase compounds effects Artificial respiration principles Asbestosis and tumor of peritoneum Bagassosis, early Benzene hazard in refineries Benzene hexachloride, isomers interaction Benzidine determination rapid Berylliosis, mistaken diagnosis Beryllium 7, metabolism Bone surgery effect of buried metals Bursitis in miners1 ankles Carbon disulfide anticholinestrase effect Cardioangiography cerebral complications Centrifugal scrubbers performance Chloracne from aroclor Chlorinated diphenyl chloracne from skin effects Chlorine dioxide poisoning 889 816 841 880 877 882 879 887 885 886 883 784 773 829 779 855 842 821 827 870 805 804 790 861 819 863 878 796 796 797 802 49. Chromate dermatitis 793 dermatitis from glue 794 and diabetes, experimental 8 06 Chromium determination in biological materials 869 Cigarette factories mortality rates 335 Civil defense planning guide 868 Coin lesions and cancer 786 Color in industry 860 Cyclethrin insecticide 823 Dermatitis and compensation 795 from gloves (dimethyl sulfate) 79S prevention 792 Dinitrocresol poisoning muscular effects 825 Dust coagulation by aerosols 83' is dangerous (Bk. Rev. ) 76' hazards, enamel industry 84c sampler, electrostatic 87; sampling filter soluble and volatile 37: sampling for light and electron microscopes 37: in subways 84 Dustfall moasurements 88- Dyes, methyl violet toxicity 33 Ergonomics, proposedprogram 85 Explosion suppressing device 89 Factory inspection report 77 Fluoride poisoning in animals SC Fungus infection of feet epidemiology 78 Grain-dust pneumoconiosis 84 Group insurance during strikes 88 Handicapped workers, survey 76 Hearing loss and compensation 85 Hydrazine toxicity subacute 8C 11 206 2733 Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 T Industrial health and administrative medicine 772 Industrial medical education 774 Industrial medicine federal and local agencies 771 Insecticide safety 825 Lead colic and hypertension 808.: Lead, elimination in sweat 812 Lead poisoning cardiovascular effects 807 EDTA treatment 809, 810, 811 Lung biopsy in pulmonary disease 850 Medical education legal subjects in 775, 776 postgraduate 777 Methanol hazards duplicating machines 817 Milk in industrial poisonings 800 Occupational health institute F inland 791 Odor, symposium(Bk. Rev.) 768 Paraoxon poisoning ac etylcholine prof*,uc tion 830 Parathion dusting hazards 831 hazards, fruit spraying 832 poisoning, treatment 834 residues, spraying hazards 833 Particle size distribution measurement 875 Pesticides,; toxicity criteria 326 Pneumoconiosis coal miners', treatment 844 Poison ivy control 837 Psychiatry industrial future 783 and trauma 782 Quartz. determination in mixtures 874 reactivity 854 Radiation exposure value of blood counts 866 Radioactive material deposition late changes 864 materials, handling 865 waste disposal 867 Radiotherapy, cobalt beam 862 Rehabilitation of injured 781 Respirators, dust, studies 838 Resuscitation comparison of methods 778 Silica determination in lungs 876 effect on leucocytes 353 Silicic acids animal experiments 852 Silicones,- pharmacology 820 Silicosis and chewing 847 diagnosis and autopsy 848 hazard in clay working 845 oxygen pressure and saturation 849 Silicotubereulosis, treatment 851 Silver, eye effects 813 Stress and employee health 785 Stretcher carrier 789 Sulfuric acid aerosol microde termination 881 Syphilis in industry 787 TNT poisoning, aplastic anemia 824 Temperature in offices effect 859 Threshold limit values, 1955 P.I Tin, organic compounds ' toxicity 814 Toxicity, effect of diet 799 Trichloroethylene, toxicity chronic Vanadium dust, effects 818 815 Warfarin poisoning 822 Welders, respiratory diseases 856 Workmen's compensation problems LAIABC meeting 769 U 206 2794 50. Industrial Hygiene Digt July, 1955 la moat other states such, assistaace is severely Limited by the Lack of specific fiaaacial support for the work. Ia a number of these states air pollution Legislation has been considered recently. There is a trend toward increasing activity by state agencies in this field. - - Goad, from author's summary 887 APCA Abstracts, Vol. 1, No. 1. W. L. Nelson, editor. Air Pollution Control Assn., 4400 Fifth Ave. Pittsburgh 13, Pa. 12 pp. (June 1955). 25 cents. The first issue of APCA Abstracts contains a serially numbered list (not abstracts) of articles and papers published in the Association Proceedings and Air Repair for the years 1950 through 1954, with an author index. The second issue, to be published later, will give an in dex of the Association publications classified by subject matter. Sub sequent issues will provide indexed abstracts of 1953 Air Repair arti cles and significant papers from other sources. MANAGEMENT ASPECTS 888 Group Insurance During Strikes. H. Fox. Mgmt. Rec. (Natl. Ind. Conference Board) J^7, 186-188 (May 1955). A survey showed that 402 of 900 companies have definite poli cies concerning continuance of group insurance during a strike. Of 297* that continue insurance, 36% continue for duration of the strike, 19% continue for definite periods, and the remaining 45% have no policy on the time continued. In general, a company can choose its policy, but state insurance laws may place limitations on management policy. Sev eral court decisions are reported, involving different types of insurance and other details. The major limitation Imposed by insurance companies is that disability insurance, as distinct from other insurance coverage, will not be continued during a strike. 47 u Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 A CCIDENTS AND 'PREVENTION '4 ' . 889 The Problem of Accident Prevention. '-E. D. Heath. Compens. Med. 6 14-16 (Dee. 1954 - Feb. 1955). : -n-.v'., " * ' s ' 1- 1 . - .. r> _ V ; . ' ' '`- Accidents arecoming to be viewed by a greater number of persons as a form of social illness. All too frequently the symptom is being treated rather than the cause of the accident. Another fallacy is that statements that 1ST* of drivers are responsible for 85% of the accidents, are taken to mean that it is always the same 15%. The fol lowing techniques are used infvarious businesses and industries to re duce accidents: (1) carefully conducted pre-employment interviews; (2) comprehensive pre-employment medical examinations; (3) an un hurried orientation program; (4) careful pre-service training; (5) intelligent supervision; (6) "operation precaution"; (7) a good industrial relations program; (8) cooperation by organised labor;' (9) special train ing programs; (10) recreation programs; and (11) periodic individual - inventories.' - 890 Explosions,Nipped by Exploded1 Extihguishant. E. D. Reddan. Safety Maint. h Prod. 109, 53-54 (June 1955). '^The'device described is hour used mostlyTor preventing explo sion and fire on a combat plane after1 ah incendiary bullet makes a dir ect hit on a fuel. tank. However, the device has been released for com mercial prhductioh had will be marketed on a broad scale. The infra red radiatioh occoring at the.inception of a fire actuates a photocell which detonates a fireextinguisher fluid contained in a small plastic capsule so. that it very. quickly fills the space and extinguishes the fire. About 2 cc; of extinguishing fluid is required for each gallon of space. Tests under simulated battle conditions have* been successful. \\ 48. Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 880 Light .Scattering Studies in Aerosols with a New Counter Photometer. C. T. O'Konski and G. J. Doyle. Anal. Chem. TT, 693-701 (May 1955 ). The (unctions of a recording light-scattering photometer and electronic particle counter were united in a single instrument, employ ing an improved right-angle optical system and a single electron mul tiplier phototube. Procedures were developed for producing uniform aerosols from uniform hydro sols. Measurements of intensities from several materials gave results in accordance with theory. Pulse ampli tudes of test aerosols were found proportional to the square of the par ticle diameters. Limits of sensitivity and resolving power are given. 881 Microdetermination of Sulfuric Acid Aerosol. E. R. Gerhard and H. F. Johnstone. Anal. Chem. ZT, 702-703 (May 1955). An analytical technique for the microdetermination of sulfuric acid aerosol was developed in which the aerosol particles were collected by a high velocity impactor on a film impregnated with thymol blue. The color change from yellow to red was measured by a photometric colori meter attached to a Low-power microscope. The method was used to de termine 0. 01 to 0. 2 microgram of sulfuric acid. It was reliable when the quantity of acid collected was controlled. The method detects the presence of any acid aerosol, but is not sensitive to acidic gasrs. Al kaline gases which tend to neutralize the droplets affect the accuracy of the results. 882 Gas Chamber Microapparatus in Identification of Air-Borne Pollutants. J. L. Monkman. Anal. Chem. JT, 704-708 (May 1955). An apparatus is described by means of which samples of air pollutants on microslides, glass wool, or other holders are exposed to reagents in the vapor phase. During the vapor treatment, micro slides may be withdrawn at intervals for microscopic examination and photomicrographing. The composition of the effluent gas may be in vestigated by various methods which are described. 883 Instrumental Measurements of Visibility in Air Pollution Studies. G. D. Clayton and P. M, Giever. Anal. Chem. ZT, 708-713 (May 1955). An instrument which measures transmittance (the Transmissometer) was found useful in measuring visibility in an urban atmos phere. No correlation was found among the data obtained with the in strument, the soiling power of the atmosphere, and the mass weight of the airborne particulates. Rain removed from the atmosphere some aerosols which cause discoloration, while snow had no such effect. 11 206 2789 45. f Industrial Hygiene Digest . !' July, 1955 I 884 Water-Containing Jars and Greased Plates for Dustfail Measurements. R. L. Pond and R. R. Paxton. Abal. Chem. 2?,' 714-716 (May 1955 ). | J The water-jar and greased-plates methods for determining dustfail are described! The standard deviation between concurrently exposed water jars was 12. 6%. The. comparable value between greased plates was 6.8%. Thus 'the grebsed plate procedure gave more reproducible results, and;, with but ony exception, slightly higher dustfail rates. . % ~yr ' - '' ' - . i i j ! i i 885 The Estimation of Health Hazards from Air Pollution.1 W. C. L. Hemeon. j Arch. Ind. Health 11, 397-402 (May 1955). Reprints obtainable from 1 the .Foundation. 'i ' ' 'j In a consideration of aerosol sampling in research on atmos- pheric pollution and.health, the principal problem is in obtaining sam ples of Significant particle size undiluted by the omnipresent large par- tides of irrespirable sizes. Significant data on atmospheric concentre- tions apart from composition can be obtained by light scattering mens- urements either.on filter paper or in atmospheric.Suspension. There is not in existence sufficient scientific data adequately to illuminate the question of chronic health hazards from air pollution. There is how- ever, ho question concerning, the effects of acute air-pollution exposures. Fatalities and illnesses in acute smog episodes appear to be a result of simple irritation of the respiratory tract as distinct from systemic poi- soning. There is considerable, evidence to support the hypothesis that the irritant is particulate matter, whether liquid or solid, rather than gaseous'. It is my opinion that.only the water-soluble fraction in acute smog episodes contributes to the irritant effect* and a study of the com- position of this fraction can be expected to yield more clear-cut informa tion on the identity of the irritants; Furthermore, an examination of the water-soluble fraction of two smog samples, Donora (1948) and London (1952), strongly suggests that the irritant substances may be acidic salts, in particular, metal ammonium sudfates. --Author's summary j j j i j j I ! | ! | | | 1 866 State Air Pollution Control Activities. R. L. Woodward.. Public Health Repts. 70, 433-436 (May 1955). r j jSince the end of World War IX there has been a marked increase in interest in air pollution and in' activities aimed at its control. Although f the problem has been traditionallyj.coasidere'd one for local action, the | heed for state;assistance has often become apparent. State assistance is also needed when local control agencies are nonexistent or have no jurisdiction. Three;states have recently established air pollution agen- I i cies with control power, and three others have provided funds for in- . vestigation of air pollution problems and assistance to local agencies. * ' ' . *; ' . .` !. ' . : I !' 46. 11 206 279 Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 875 A Rapid General Purpose Method Centrifuge Sedimentation. Method for Measurement of Size Distribution of Small Particles. Par: 2. Pro- cedures and Applications. K. T. Whitby. Heat. Pip. Air Cond. 27, 129-145 (June 1955). " Data are included illustrating the reproducibility, comparative accuracy, and principal applications of the method. Tables show chief sedimentation liquids and dispersing agents found useful and the disper sion systems used when various materials are analyzed. Graphs show results of analyses on many finely divided materials, including flours, pigments, albumin, industrial dusts, fly ash, and an atmospheric dust sample. The method has proved useful and rapid. It is hoped that its use will permit analysis of atmospheric dusts containing particles as small as 0.2 micron. (For first part see IHF Abst. 481, Apr. 1955). -- Author's summary 876 Analysis of Lung Dusts. 1. Microanalysis of Silica in Dust Samples Containing Quartz and Silicates. H. Stegemann and J. Fitzek. Beitr. Silikose-Forsch. No. 31, 29-40 (1954). German. The colorimetric method of (total) silica determination in lung dusts is comparable in accuracy to the gravimetric method. The molyb date blue technique with 1:2:4 amino naphthal sulfonie acid as reducing agent is used, and, in routine operation, hydrofluoric and boric acids are added to keep all silica in a reactive form. Purity of reagents is essential; directions are given for their purification. Removal of iron and phosphate by ion exchange is described.-- Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 877 The Use of Sound in Analytical Chemistry. Anon. (J. R. N. ). Analyst 80, 81 (Feb. 1955). Sound has rarely been used directly in analytical chemistry, on account of obvious limitations, but methods have been developed in gas analysis. They make use of the fact that the velocity of sound in a particular gas is constant under standard conditions. The general for mula is given. The ultrasonic interferometer gives an accuracy within 0.1%. Another method consists of determining a relative phase shift. When foreign gases (possibly dangerous) are likely to be present in the atmosphere of mines, ships, and enclosed ships, a continuous monitor ing can be obtained without sampling and a warning system can be ar ranged when the gas mixture varies, too much from the normal. No de lay is necessary, no gas is destroyed, the method can be used with flammable gases, it can be applied to static or fast moving gas streams, and relatively little gas is needed. The method is only slightly sensitive to temperature changes and to the presence of water vapor in air. (No experimental results are given, and the precision for any particular gas is not calculated). 43. li 206 2787 Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 PREVENTIVE ENGINEERING 878 PTtorman.cs Characteristics of Centrifugal Scrubbers. G. A. Johnson, S. K. Friedlander, R. Dennis, M. W. First, and L-. Silverman. Ghem. Eng. Progr. 51^, 176-188 (Apr. 1955). The purpose of the investigation was to determine whether a simple, inexpensive, but efficient wet collector could be developed for use at Atomic Energy Commission sites. An additional objective was to obtain information on the fundamental principles of wet collec tion to develop criteria for predicting and improving the performance of practical devices. Two wet separating devices were used: (1) an experimental cyclonic scrubber, and (2) a commercial dynamic scrub ber. The discussion is quite extensive and includes: theoretical con siderations, description of equipment, and test results, including col lection efficiency, power requirements, and air flow pattern and dust distribution in cyclone scrubber. The general conclusion is that wetting produces a significant increase in performance through two distinct mechanisms, but that the optimum efficiency for the wet process is achieved only by careful design. Among the factors discussed include optimum amount of water, optimum air volume, optimum spray drop let size, and proper application of the sprays. COMMUNITY AIR HYGIENE 879 Analytical Methods and Instrumentation in Air Pollution. Introduction to Symposium. M. Katz. Anal. Cham. 27, 692-693 (May 1955). This paper and several following, dealing with analytical meth ods, were presented at a joint symposium at the American Chemical Society meeting, in addition to those reported in the June Digest. The author summarizes progress during the past five years in analytical methods *nd instrumentation in air pollution, including brief reports of other symposiums. 11 206 273* 44. Industrial Hygiene Digest July, 1955 868 Civil Defense Planning Guide for Industrial Physicians. R. R. Bresier. J. Am. Med. Assn. ~ 158, 390-395 "(June 4, 1955). This guide Cor establishing the medical portion of a company civil defense plan emphasizes that a specific program for an individual company must be tailored to the particular needs of that company and its place in the over-all community defense plan. The topics included are: basic principles of defense; organization of medical defense plan; recruitment and training of personnel; auxilliary first-aid stations; stock piling of drugs, supplies, and equipment; communications; and evacuation and transportation. This guide should be of use to industrial physicians in their civil defense planning. ENVIRONMENTAL MEASUREMENTS 869 Microdetermination of Chromium in Small Samples of Various Biological Media. C. H. Grogan, H. J. Cahnmunn, and Elizabeth Lethco. Anal. Chem. 27, 983-986 (June 1955). During studies of the metabolism of chromium it became nec essary to develop a rapid routine method for the microassay of chro mium in plasma, urine, and other biological materials. The method described is based on the spectrophotometric determination of chromi um as the colored reaction complex of hexavalent chromium with 1, 5diphenylcarbohydrazide. The method employs rapid ashing procedures applicable to small samples relatively free of interfering materials such as iron. All steps in the analysis are performed w'th only a single transfer at the point of color development. Recoveries of 95%.or better were obtained in most cases under a variety of conditions. -- Cond. from editor's summary 870 A Rapid Technique for Estimating Benzidine in Industrial Exposure. L. J. Sciarini and J. A. Mnhew. Arch. Ind. Health 11, 420-421 (May 1955). A rapid technique for measuring benzidine and some of its 3, 3'-disubstituted analogues has been developed. As an index of ex posure, this procedure is simple and easily adaptable for use in a chem ical plant where as many as 24 analyses may be made simultaneously. A number of possible uses of the chloramine-T reagent have been pointed out. -- Authors' summary 41. 11 206 2785 Industrial Hygiene Digest Julr. 1955 - .? 871 Electrostatic Sampler for Puit-Laden Gases'. G. L. Rounds and H. J. Matoi. Anal. Chem. 27, j829*830 (May' 1955). An electrostatic sampler has been designed,' which will collect up to five times the weight of dust collected by conventional electrostat ic samplers. The device uses a commercially high voltage.source. The collecting surface is in the form of a truncated,cone for more uniform dust deposition. The unit can be disassembled in a few seconds for clean ing. 1 :r : --Editor's summary 872 Dust Sampling with a Soluble and Volatile Filter Paper. A. P. Avy. Staub. No. 37, 372-381 (Sept. 15, 1954).. German. . The filter material is a mixtureoftri- and tetrachlorouaph- thalene, which melts at 85-90*C, boils at about 300* C, is easily solu ble in benzene, carbon tetrachloride, ether, and acetone, but is com pletely insoluble in and uswetted by water. In commercial form it may contain up to 25 ppm of dust and must be distilled before use. Techniques are described for its distillation and for the preparation of filters. Brief details are given of a suitable routine sampling in strument. Samples may be evaluated gravimetrically, chemically, or by direct, partide, counting. The filters are mechanically strong, and have a high and' quantitative efficiency of dust collection for parti cle sizes greater than 0.5 micron. | -- Bull. Hyg. 873 A Sampling Technique for Small Air-Borne Particles. J. D. Wilcox and W. R. Van Antwerp-. Arch. Ind* Health 11, 422-424 (May 1955). The authors, describe a.method for measuring particle-size distribution by the. combined use of light and electron microscopes. A special five-stage cascade" impactor is.used for sampling, and the particulate matter from each jet of the impactor is deposited directly on an electrod-microscope projection film. The respective fractions are examined.by light or electron microscopy and the total count and sine distribution are calculated from the data for each fraction. De tailed methods are described and the apparatus is illustrated. 874 Determination of Quarts of Various! Particle Sizes in Quartz-Silicate Mixtures. . M. Jephcott and H. F. V. Wall. Arch. Ind. Health 11. 425-430 (May 1955). The phosphoric acid method for the determination of quartz in the presence of silicates has been modified to give,a simple and rapid procedure which is applicable to a wide variety of siliceous materials. In the method outlined,, quartz can be estimated in coarse and fine dusts with an absolute error of less-thaajl7. Authors' sunu&*ry 42. 11 206 2786