Document rB8wOMV04pLKB982aV3QDmG8a

INDUSTRIAL Hygiene Digest ssssssss^^aoessssaasBsassBsssa HitetetuU Gbstlacts * MEDICAL ENGINEERING LEGAL decisions and trends {Industrial Health 7lews hmmd JfeMUy Bj INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE FOUNDATION 4400 TOTH AVXNUI PITTSBURGH Q3I.FA. , IHF-546 exposure 12! , in i-10 years aft", \nd la over J.0 years 79/!. Fiv., c-.scs of ruim-fP ary tuberculosis vcro noted. - .*s clinical histories of tboac uro recorded. ?_::1 -'O'.'-r-i. Snaiolo^y, 41^, 11-12 (July, 194-3J. L'isr.bility in industrial lung disease cannot be nccurotoly estimated by roentgen examination alone. Uncomplicated stlicosia-may be associated with moderate fibrotic changes and r. considerable degree of disability, whereas in other eases massive lesions may produce only e slight decrease in capacity for work. A con siderable part of the dyspnoea in silicotics is duo to fibrosis of the -dVvolus itself and not to the nodular fibrosis. When roentgen evidence of superimposed infection is present, disability should bo anticipated; if there is roentgen evidenco of a superimposed active pulmonary tuberculosis, it may be stated with con fidence that disability is total aqd permanent. In absence of cavitation, diag nosis of tuberculosis in advanced silicosis is difficult, and.should only be made rhon there is laboratory confirmation. SO Correlation of Disability rlth Roentgen and Clinical Findings in Silicosis, ?art2. J.E.G. Hannon. Radiology, 41, 13-17 (July, 1943). Silica, by reason of its solubility, reacts to form silicic acid, which causes specific chengos in monocytic cells. First, dust laden colls in thu lymphatic channels elongate and reticulum appears in the intercellular spaces. Socond, the cdls elongate further and assume fibroblast shape end arrange themselves in concentric nodules. Third, the cells lose their nuclei, and the nodule becomes fibrous and undergoes hyaline degeneration. The degree of dysfunction of the lungs is not proportional to the change revealbd by X-ray. Inhalation of silicon dioxide dust frequently decreases pulmonary function before the shadows of the silicotic nodule become visible on X-ray film. Disability is net primarily due to nodular fibrosis, but is caused by the thickening of tho alveolar wells and associatod emphysema with decreased elasticity of tho lungs and interference with normal bronchioles end engorgement of the capillaries ere addod factors in dis ability. Tho degree of lung dysfunction in pulmonary fibrosis is host measured by respiratory function tests outlined in the article. A person with respiratory disability can increase his depth of breathing only to a very limited extent. When he requires more dr, he is compelled tc increase his respiratory rate. 61 Cancer in Relation to Occupation and Environment. w.C. Hueper. Hull. Am. Soc. Control Cancer, 25, (June, 1943). Among tho chemical and physical agents causing occupational cancer ere heavy motels, nitrates, aramotic unino compounds, benzol, asbestos, mineral oil, soot, radioactive substances, ultraviolet radiation snd X-rays. A recent addition to the list is coal tar, which may cause cancer of tho urinary tract, most frequent ly in the aniline dye end related industries. The following suggestions aro made tc aid is prevontion and control of occupational crnccr: (1) An occupational history of every case of cancer; (2) Experimental investigation of tku enreinogonous properties of substances now in Industrial use; (3) State inspection of industrial plants; (4) Technical improvement in production methods to eliminate hazards, end tho use of substitutes for substances known to bo c;-a*cinogcnic. Methods of Detection and Determination 62 Simple Device for Prcocrlnx Vapor-Air Mixtures. Ind.i; Eng.Chet.., Anal 15, oug.1 References to Recent Literature - 8 ' 602 *DANGEROUS CASES IN DISTILLATION AND REFINING PROCESSES. E. LeQ. Herbert. J. Inst. Petroleum, 25, 323-46 (June 1939). (British). In distillation processes tbo cost dangerous gas encountered is hydrogen sulphide, although the hydrocarbon petroleum gases are also present in considerable concen trations. The physidogical effects of both types aro reviewed together with methods of protection against each. Hydrocarbon vapors such as gasolino can be significant physiologically at slightly lower concentrations than the lower limit of inflammability (1.45# by volume). In refining processes a number of gases are encountered, depending upon the method of treatment used. Sulphur dioxide is almost universally present in all plants as ere -chlorine, ammonia and a few organ ic sulphur compounds. In the solvent-extraction processes still further vapors are met with, including furfural, phenol, chlorcx, nitro-benzene, benzene, ace tone, methyl ethyl ketone, cresol and propane. The effects of these vapors ore reviewed and concentrations that aro dangerous are given, but no mention is made of the magnitude of the concentrations that are likely to be encountered within the plants. A number of teblos in the paper lists the properties of each gas, toxicities at various concentrations, limits of itvM nrrmwhi 1 ity, and methods of protection against each. ' 603 THE DETECTION OF GAS IN THE FIELD AND REFINERY IN IRAN. Anglo-Iranian Oil Co., * J. Inst. Petroleum, 25, 356-8 (June 1939). (British). The detection of InflaiEsablo gases, since 1938, has been done with two similar commercial detectors based on the temperature lncreaso of a platinum wire as the air is passed over it. Regarding hydrogen sulphide it is the practice to assume that when all inflammable gases have been washed out of a tank it can also be considered that no appreciable amount of hydrogen sulphide is present and its detection is then emitted. When hydrogen sulphide tests ore mode, one of two f methods is followed: the first measures the extent of blackening of a mercury ^ . salt on granulated pumice in c glass tube; the other, the-darkness of a stain on - a paper impregnated with lead acetate. Both methods are capable of measuring dangerous concentrations with certainty. For - sulphur dioxide determination the method of drawing air through paper impregnated with a starch Iodine solution is used. The methods used on other gases ere not included. 604 THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF TOXIC GASES AND VAPORS. T. McClurkin. J. Inst. Petroleum, 25, 332-91 (Juno 1939). (British). In the first port of the paper tho physiological effects of gases end vapors which ore likely to be mot with in tho petroleum industry are considered. The second part deals with a group of other toxic gases. All are reviews taken from the literature. Those gases covered in part one ore: hydrogen sulphide, sul phur dioxldo, chlorine, carbsn monoxide, petroleum spirit and benzine, acetone, benzene, mercaptan vapors, furfuraldohydo phenol. Part two gasos are: hydro gen cyanide, carbon disulphide, aniline ra organic hologons. A brief description is given of each. 605 THE DETECTION OF TOXIC GASES IN INDUSTRY. R. B. Vallender. J. Inst. Petroleum, 25, 392-403 (June 1939). (British). Numerous cases of poisonings ore cited to show the need for the determination of potentially hazardous concentrations of gases in industry. The methods, to be practical, should be simplo, rapid and sensitive to low concentrations. Host methods fall into one of three classes: (1) physical or physico-chemical methods, (2) adaptations of ordinary chemical methods and (3) colorimetric or ncphdonotric methods. Rapid nothods based on the third class are probably the most practical end useful in these types of analyses, and a number of simple tests are described. 02357 References to Recent Literature - 9 606 .PROTECTION AGAINST DANGEROUS GASES IN TEE OPERATION OF CRACKING PLANTS. E.J.U. Tait. J. Inst. Petroleum, 25, 347-55.(June 1939). (British). Precautionary rules for the prevention of gassing accidents are discussed briefly. The typos of gas mask protection and locations vhero their uso is essential are described. Special attention should bo given to entering locations where hydro carbon gases may accumulate, as in pump-houses, trenches, sumps, etc. Many acci dents occur among non accustomed to their work and who have become careless follov/ing low-accident periods so that continual safety instruction is essential. 607 TOXIC ORGANIC SOLVENTS. ' K. Tomlinson. Paint Manufacture, 9J 140-2 (1939). (British). All solvents other than rater are regarded as toxic to some degree, and to treat a solvent casually and carelessly is inviting disaster even if it has been used .with safety for several years. Transient and cumulative poisoning ere discussed briefly. The aromatic hydrocarbons and the chlorinated hydrocarbons are tho most toxic of ordinary solvents. 608 TOXICITT OP MGTOE FUELS AND EXHAUST GASES. G. Castrovilli. Rass. mod. ind., 10, 1-16 (1939). (Italian). A review of benzine, carbon monoxide and naphtha poisoning from the exhaust gases of motor vehicles is followed by an analysis, in tabular form, of exhaust gases obtained by the use of methane and naphtha in wood-gos-and-gasoline-driven en gines. A list of tho symptoms indicating poisoning from naphtha and wood-gasdriven engines is given. The toxicity of natural methane was found to be much less than that of the others mentioned. '-09 CARBON MONOXIDE" IN UNDERGROUND ATMOSPHERES. THE ROLE OF BACTERIA IN ITS ELIMIN ATION. G. 1?. Jones and G. S. Scott. Ind. Eng. Chem., 51, 775-8 (1939). It has been found that certain types of microorganisms, -present in anthracite waters will readily consume hydrogen nri* carbon monoxide from gaseous mixtures. In laboratory experiments, a sample containing 4.1$ hydrogen and 11.6$ carbon monoxide was entirely depleted of the former in 10 days and of the latter in 50 days. A blank containing bacteriacidal solution had no effect even after 50 days. Hydrogen is oxidized to water and carbon monoxide to the dioxide; no mothone is formed. It is concluded that it is not safe to assume that fires have been extinguished in scaled firo areas because of an absoncc of carbon monoxide in those aroas. 610 EFFECTS ON ANIMALS OF PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO SULPHUR DIOXIDE.. F. E. Woodon,' - - - - Albert Hartzoll and Carl Sottcrstrom. Contrib. Boyce Thompson Inst. 10 , 281-323 (April-Juno 1939). m: Despite the prevalence of sulphur dioxide os an atmospheric contaminant, indus trially end otherwise, there is a lack of positive experimental work on its action on human beings over a ride range of concentrations. The present paper- describes an ertensivo 3eri.es of experiments, probably the most important recent work on the subject. Hundreds of white nice end guinea pigs were used in the tests, and tho effects of" the gas on invertebrates (grasshoppers and cockroaches) were also determined. In general, the resistance to the gos was greater than - - expected and signs of distress t/ere less. No significant mortality or signs of ' distress occurred among healthy animals at concentrations of 33 p.p.n. or below. Gross appearance post mortem of tneso animals did not differ greatly from thoso of control animals. Above this concentration changes begin tc appear, notably: tho cornea becomes opaque, the stomach becomes distended and congestion of the viscera more definite. Kowover, the fact that guinea pigs withstood 150 p.p.n. for considerable periods of tine when expbeed for only eight hours per day suggests that no direct toxic offacts result to industrial T.-orkcrs exposed _ References to Recent Literature - 10 occasionally to concentrations of this negnitude. Excellent discussions are given of the probable action of tho gas, taken not only from the results of these tests but also from the literature. 611 TEE SELENIUM PROELEI AND ITS RELATION TO PUBLIC HEALTH. Q. A. Manville. Am. J. Pub. Health, 29, 709-18 (July 1939). The paper is a review of the literature of seme 79 items on selenium and its toxicity in the body. It deals largely with the action of th9 substance when ingested with foods but considerable knowledge of its action rcgerdless of mode . of. entry may be gained from the material presented. The element is present in the soils in certain areas in the Vest and in Mexico and is no doubt the toxic factor in the condition known as "alkali disease", prominent in affected areas. ' Selenium is present in all plants end foods grown in seloniferous soils and while the public health aspect of the problem is limited to those affected ereas it should not be overlooked that most of the world's wheat is grown in seleniferous soils and also that the use of selenium in gll food sprays is increasing. Indus trially selenium exposure may occur in industries extracting end processing ores containing the substance or in industries using selenium compounds as basic mater ials for manufacturing purposes. It may be ebsorbod by inhalation, through the skin or by ingestion depending upon the state of the compound. Authorities are cautious in stating its toxicity but it is certain that repeated absorptions of small amounts have a marked detrimental effect on -the body. 612 LEAD HAZARD AT SOLDERING BENCHES. Thee. Hatch. Industrial Bulletin, New York Dept, of Labor, IS, 284 (June 1939). The lead hazard, during miscellaneous soldering operations on small tanks and the like by men engaged full time on this work, is two-fold: _(1) lead oxide fume " nay be given off during soldering end (2) lead dust and cuttings are released by filing, grinding end sending. Vhile most of the latter dust nay be particles too - coarse to be breathed, these particles if not properly handled will bo "ground underfoot, etc., and the dangerous dust disseminated into the room. An exhaust - system is described for a ventilated soldering bench. The top of the bench is on open grille through which the filings fall to a hopper end pen below. An ex haust below the grille removes ell very fine dust. An exhaust is placed over the soldering-iron stove to remove lead fumes. A raised floor grid in front of the table minimizes the grinding of lead underfoot. _ . 613 THE TOXICITY OF OCTYL ALCOHOL. J. Am. Med. Assoc. (O.uerics tc Minor Notes) 112, 2353 (June 3, 1939). Octyl alcohol lately has come into extensive industrial use. ' Some of the appli cations arc tho following: anti-foaming agent, dehydration of lubricating oils,- tho printing of textiles, manufacture of papor, air conditioning sprays, end other applications. Little is known of its true properties, but its extensive use with no serious consequences leads one to believe that its toxicity is of a low order. Tho disagreeable odor may have the effect of a deterrent in its use. 614 TEE EFFECTS OF FTTrvT.TWF. DICHLORIIE VAPORS. J. An. Med. Assoc. (Queries & Minor Notes) 111* 167 (July 3, 1939). : Ethylene dichloride is now classified as of the same order of toxicity as tri- chlorcthylene. The symptoms of its toxic action are, in addition to nausea and vomiting, irritation of noso and eyes, dizziness, ataxia, fatty degeneration of the liver, nephritis and perivascular hemorrhages of the brain. No chronic simp- tons erising from prolonged exposures have beon reported. 02359  * * a;?ntTTM fiiy^Bi r,iii-^imr --tin References tc Recent Literature - 11 615 TOXICITY OF ETHYLENE AND PROPYLENE GLYCOLS. 11. Aiazzi Mane ini. . Boll. soc. ital. biol. sper. 14, 68-71 (1959). (Italian). Ethylene glycol caused no ill effects in doses of 0.70 to several cc. daily; doses of 10-15 cc. produced oxaluria and 40-50 cc. caused death or severe intoxi cation in rats. Propylene glycol was nuch loss toxic. 616 CARBON DISULFIDE POISONING. S. Serai. Z. klin Path. Hanatol. 5_, 795 (1936). (Japcneso). The anounts of hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and carbon disulfide in the air of two factories were determined. Symptoms produced by the gases arc doscribed. Eight patients 7.1th mental symptoms due to carbon disulfide mostly showed symp toms- of dementia praecox and of msnic-depressivo insanity. Recovery followed in 10 days to 1-2 months after removal from exposure. Ono patient showed neuras thenic symptoms for months. The, changes In red and whito blood cells are detailed. 617 PULMONARY INJURY BY MANGANESE DUST. K. V/. Jotten. Deutsch med. V.'schr. 65, 40910 (1939). (German). Of 32 rabbits inhaling manganese dioxide dust for 1 hour every day, nine died within 3 weeks from extensive broncho-pneumonia. Animals which had been exposed. to manganese showed a higher mortality rate from experimental pneumococcal infec tion than controls. Injection of manganese dioxide particles into the abdominal cavity produced severe haemorrhagic peritonitis. 618 CANCER AS AN ACCIDENTAL INJURY UNDER TEE WOREEN'S COMPENSATION ACT. I. E. Rubcnstein and M. S. Levy. Ind. Med. , 284-6 (July 1939). Despite the fact that medical science is not at all certain of the actual cause or causes of cancer, the law, as to whether cancer is an "accidental injury"under the several Turkmen's compensation acts, seems well settled. Casos involving cancer may be divided into two classes: (1) v;here the injury is known to have brought about a cancer, and (2) where injury aggravated and accelerated a pre existing cancer. The essential difference is the existence or not of a cancer prior to occupational injury. Casos of both types are described in which compen sation has been allowed or denied for either type, depending upon the apparent evidence as to real occupational cause or effect. 619 OCCUPATIONAL MELANOSIS FROM PITCH. H. R. Foerster and L. Schwartz. Arch. Deimat.- - end Syphilol., 39 , 955-68 (June 1939). - * ; ! The authors have previously reported (Abstract No. 493, 1939) that pitch darmati- - tis and melanosis are true reactions of photossnsitizatioa resulting from the - - local exogenous activity of a specific photo sensitizer in pitch, activated by specific spectral bands of light. In this paper, case reports ere presented of workers exposed to pitch and tar. Dermatitis and melanosis are important, occupa tional hazards in coal tar and pitch industries. Most workmen exposed to the hazard have dermatitis or melanosis (pigmentation) though some may not be affected and variations in susceptibility exist. Histologic studies indicate that the discolorization due to pitch is true melanosis. Prevention is best accomplished' by personal hygiene, good ventilation, sanitary conditions in plants, night oper ations, rotation of work and selection of employees. Appropriate protective and therapeutic measures includo the application of creams and lotions containing physical and chemical blockers of light. 023 0 References to Recent Literature - 12 620 PROTECTIVE CREAMS IN TEE PREVENTION OF DERMATITIS. G. C. Harrold. Occup. Hazards & Safety, 1, 18-20 (July 1939). Supplementing the mechanical types of dermatitis protection equipment--gloves, clothing, leggings, shoes--are cfearns, ointments and chemical mixtures. These substances can also be classed as mechanical forms of protection but they offer the additional factor of a cleansing action; the application on clean hands three times a day and the resultant washing off of the cream will in itself be - an aid in the prevention of dermatoses. The best protection requires the use of a specific type of cream or ointment for each general group of irritants; no single cream is a positive protection for mi substances. The types of creams for use with specific agents arc not given in the paper, probably bocause of differences in trade names. Creams for certain dermatitis producing, substances used in industry are on the marhet and their use is recommended in this article. 0 23(11.