Document rBMprVMzzaGbx3VKDNKJN64Vv

L.---j r.) FOUNDATION FACTS February 23, 1940 This news-letter Is issued monthly to member companies and trade associations affiliated with Air Hygiene Foundation. Its purpose is to report Foundation news and activities. Air Hygiene Foundation is a partnership of industry and science organized to protect the health of the 15 million workmen in heavy industry. No.2 Watch for Report on Sick Absenteeism The Foundation's report on sick absenteeism vail be mailed to you soon. Please examine closely and see forms in the back of the bulletin for recording lost time through illness. The Foundation asks your cooperation in tabulating sick ab sences in your organization. Remember, your company may be suffering huge "hidden" losses through sickness. Dr. A.!. Lanza, Chairman of the Foundation's Medical Com mittee, shoves that the average male worker loses 8 plus days per year thrcug.i illnos.' The average woman worker loses 12 days. The whole purpose of this study is to : .ip you reauce your sickness costs. The whole success of the undertaking depends upon your collaboration. Interested members will be asked to fill in and return a coupon which will bo found on the last pago of the bulletin. Upon receipt of this coupon, additional information as to procedure v.lll be sent. United Mine Workers Urge Compensation Revisions The annual meeting of the United Mine Workers of America at Columbus, Ohio, last month strongly urged: 1. Liberalization of compensation laws; 2. Compensation for occupational diseases; 3. A. universal compulsory system of state insurance funds. Secretary Kennedy of the U.M.W. also proposed c. federal compensation law "based upon the pre mise of uniformity in rates." He claimed such a law would benefit coal operators. Legal Bulletins Available Surplus copies of the Foundation's Logoi Bulletin No. 1 are available. This bulletin was issued in six separate publications, or parts. Each part analyzes the occupational disease laws in a number of states, so that the six parts cover the 48 states. Two supplements have been issued this far, bringing the material up to date as of about January 1, 1939 The legislative changes mado during the past year are not included. Nevertheless, these reports are obviously of great value. Surplus copies will be sola to member companies desiring the material at 35 cents per copy or $2.00 for the complete set of 8 bulletins. Nevis Notes The current issue of MANAGEMENT RECORD, publication of the National Industrial Conference Board, contains a comprehensive statement of the work of the Foundation. INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE is publishing the reports presented at the Foundation's annual meeting. The current issue contains Dr. Lanza's report on sick absenteeism. Others will fallow in succeeding issues. Industrial hygiene surveys are as important f'>r plants ns physical examinations for individuals. The Foundation conducts, such surveys fur members. The work is done at bare cost. AIR HYGIENE FOUNOATlO A+OO IFTM AVENUE P|TTSU*GM. *A. HWBB-0BB9952 v'^s :rr$ *5) Air Hygiene Foundation, 4400 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, Pa. February 23, 1940. DIGEST OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE Literature--News--Developments News Items: 88. Judicial Review in Workmen,* s Compensation. Oases. The 'Wisconsin Supreme Court, in. an early case, 3tateC that in any close-drawn issue the Industrial Commission1 s decision should always be favorable to the in jured employee {or his dependents) rather than to the employer (or his insurance company). The Court stated this rule for tho guidance of tho Commission, pointing out that ta.~ Dnricnon's Compensation Act should alv/ays be construed breaaiy so as to >.:ctond rather than restrict its general purposes and objectives through decisions of th- Industrial Commission. 39, The Nov; England Health Institute will bo hold in Hartford, Connecticut, the entire week of April 13-19, 1940. The Institute is sponsored by a large number of distinguished organizations -- the U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Children's Bureau, all of the Nov; England State Departments of Health, Massachusetts Insti tute of Technology, Yale and Harvard Universities and many othor medical and public health organisations. A varied and interesting program has been arranged with the section on Industrial Hygiene, R.R. Sayers, Chairman, perhaps of most interest to our readers. For further information, address State Department of Health, Hartford, Connecticut. 30. Occupation and Health. Supplement published biannually. International Labour Office, Geneva (1939). In an effort to keep the two volume Encyclopedia of Industrial Hygiene (Occupa tion end Health) up to advancing knowledge and practice, the International Labour Office has decided to publish a Supplement. This trdees tho foxrn, not of a now volume, but of a series of brochures, issued biannualiy on a loose-leaf plan and adapted for filing and preservation. Each article devoted to a given occupation, process, substance, or health hazard, will be published separately to facilitate binding in alphabetical order or replacement by newer articles. Subscription rate for 500 pages is 5.00. The contents of the current supplements are as follows: Acetone and Homologues; Avian Tuberculosis; Chloroprene; Dioxan; Ethylene Glycol; Ethylene Oxide; Graphite; Navvies' Disease; Occupational Tumours: (1) Introduction, (2) Experimental Research, (3) Respiratory System, (5) Bladder, (5) Bones; and Selcniurottod Hydrogen. Papers on Dust, Dust Diseases and General Industrial Hygiene. 31. The Accident 3aror.eter. Statistical Bureau, National Safety Council, National Safety News, 41_, 28-29 (January 1940). As a direct reflection of the increase in industrial activity, both the occupa tional injury and dec.tn rates rose in October. However, the ten ninths' rates wore still below last year. HHBB-0009954 HMBB-0009955 Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 2. 92. Disabling Morbidity among Industrial Workers, Third Quarter and First ITine Months of 1939. W.M. Gafafer. J.S. Public Health Reports, 5^, 1-3 (January 5, 1340). The frequencies of sickness end nonindustrial injuries for the first nine months of 1938 and 1939 compared with the experience recorded for the third quarters of the same years show voet the unfavorable sickness rate for 1939 is due principal ly to the excessive rate for influence and grippe. Diseases of the skin show a slight decrease for the third quarter of 1939 as compared with the same quarter in 1336. One sericus defect these statistics have, from the viewpoint of the industrial hygienist, is that the definition of "diseases of the skin" does not include sunburn, poisoning by organic substances, or the mycoses. 93. Modern Change House on Gogebic Iron Range. D.S. Young. Min. Congress J., 25, 20-23 (August 1933). Fo-.tures of a new Lull ling and equipment at the Eureka mine of the Castile Min ing Company, incorporating the latest designs to insure tho maximum comfort of minors in changing clothes. Separate rooms arc provided for clean and dirty clothus; the underground garments being exposed to drying and aeration by being suspended from the coiling on specially designed hooks. Laundry equipment is provided for washing dirty clothing, also showers and c. clean clothes locker room. 94. Reports of Conisittccs and Resolutions, Sixth National Conference on Labor Legis lation. U.L. Dept, of Labor, Labor Standards Bulletin No. 35-A, Washington, D.C. (1939). The committee which reviewed the recommendations of earlier conferences dealing with industrial health, safety, and workmen's compensation reaffirmed the need fsr compulsory compensation lavs, covering occupational injuries of all types in cluding diseas-s; insurance in an exclusive State fund; coverage of all industrie> ana all empj.c.yors regardless of size of establishment; informal and non-tcchnicol procedures. Nev: items added by the committee and from the floor included recom mendations that medical boards should not havu the final say on occupational disease claims; that the management and personnel of the State funds should be nenpoiitical; where workmen's compensation is administered outside of the agency making factory inspections, that the two agencies should exchange information gathered by each. The Secretary of Labor was requested to appoint a committee t; inquire into and report to next year's conference upon preemployment physical examinations. An amendment to Senator Wagner's Health Program bill was asked, for the purpose of making funds available to State labor departments (on an equal basis with State departments of health) for tho promotion and control of industrial hygiene. 95. Industrial Hygiene for the Smaller Plant. G.3. Everts. J.Am.Public Health Assoc., 30, 17-21 (January 1940). A discussion of the difficult problem of providing industrial hygiene service for tho snail plant. As a rule, unless an acute occupational disease presents itself, no interest is taken in industrial disease problems by these factories. Tho average physician has little interest in industrial work largely, the author feels, due 'tv asfoets in his medical training. It may be that this lack will be taken care of by post-graduate training which, is being sponsored by organisations such as the Council on Industrial Health of the American Medical Association. For the great number of small plants with no medical supervision or, at best, cnly part-time service, the solution is hindered, as are so many problems of pub lic health, by the barriers of medical ethics. Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 3, HHBB-0009956 96. A Preliminary Report on Living, Working and Health Conditions in the Tri-State Mining Area, (Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas). The Tri-State Survey Committee, Inc,, 100 Fifth Avenue, New York City, 30 pp. (1939). A report based on investigations made by the National Committee For People's Rights on conditions in the Tri-State Mining Area. The material presented is derived from two sources: field material, collected by the joint efforts of a trained social investigator and a photographer; and analyses of previous reports on conditions in the Tri-State Area. 97. Potential Health Hazards and Welfare Facilities in Iowa Industries. Iowa State Dept, of Health, Iowa Public Health Bulletin, December, 1939. A preliminary survey of Iowa industrial plants in which information was collected from a representative sample of workers engaged in mining, manufacturing and mechanical industries and the laundry and dry cleaning service groups. The data are presented in tables showing whore potential occupational disease hazards were ^>--3 found. There is a large number of exposures to various harmful materials and a definite lack of industrial welfare service, indicating a need for industrial hygiene work, especially for smaller plants. 93. Pole of Engineer in /dr Sanitation: General Survey. E.B. Phelps. Proc. Am. See. Civ. Fngrs.., 65, 1475 (November 1939)~3 In his studies of methods of air sanitation, the engineer must know the possi bilities of good engineering practice and combine with this a knowledge of the physical, chemical, bactoriologic, physiologic, and toxicologic properties of the special types of impurities with which he has to deal. This constitutes a much broadened definition of engineering and will require, as in the case of water supplies and food sanitation, cooperative effort among specialists; but it is to the public health engineer that the future must look for guidance and responsible control. 99, Medical :md Health Programs in Industry. Studies in Personnel Policy No. 17. National Industrial Conference Board, Inc. December, 1939. A survey of the industrial medical and health services in 301 plants employing a total of 621,041 workers. Over one-third of these establishments employ less than 500 -workers, and about two-thirds employ less than 1,000. As has long been suspected, most small plants provide only a minimum of first-aid or emergency medical service. In 88$ of the plants there is a medical department under med ical or lay supervision. In over 75$, there is either a physician or nurse, or both employed on regular or part-time basis. In 84$, pre-employment examinations are given, in 5.6$ a brief physical inspection by a lay attendant, and 10$ pro vide no physical inspection of any kind. Periodic physical examinations are re quired or encouraged in over 70$ of the companies. Techniques of examinations, follow-up work, educational and preventive measures all differ widely. The aver age cost per capita of medical care in 165 plants is &6.12. In small plants both per capita and compensation costs greatly exceed that of large organizations. Among the benefits obtained through plant medical departments were: (1) reduc tion of lost time; (2) increased efficiency; (3) better employee health and morale; and (4) reductions in compensation and insurance costs. (Inquiries con cerning this report should be directed to the National Industrial Conference Board, 247 Park Avenue, New York, N. Y.) 190. The Industrial Nurse. J.K. Chivers. Industrial Medicine, 29-31 (January 1940). A general discussion of the problems of medical service to industry, with special reference to the smaller plants. The author has a high opinion of the industrial nurse and feels that her place in the industrial nodical department is indispens able. She can do much to aid and expedite the doctor's work, and because of con tacts with the workmen can be definitely helpful in diplomatically fostering a HMBB-000995/ Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 4 more stable employer-employee relationship. The duties and requirements of the visiting nurse arc briefly mentioned. 101. Large Plants and Small Have a Health Job to Do. tl.C. Heaver. Factory Man. & Main.9S~| TO^T^TebruaryTo^oT! The success of the health program in industry depends on the cooperation of three groups -- the employee, the professional staff of doctors and engineers, and tho management. The last few years have seen groat impetus given to the movement among manufacturers to conserve health. The per capita expenditure for medical work in industry has increased from 88 cents in 1915 to over 6.00 at the present time. The returns are improved personal health and morale of em ployees, improved and steadier production, bettor employee relations, and lower compensation insurance premiums. 102. Physical Fx-urlnations in the Iron and Steel Industry. American Iron and Steel Institute, Now York City (January 1940). This r.vady and report was undertaken with the sponsorship of the Industrial Re lations Committee of tho -American Iron and Steel Institute for the purpose of ascertaining what is being done in tiic matter of physical examinations in a representative sample of the Industry. Personal visits were made to 18 various sized companies, widely distributed geographically, during tho late summer of 1939. No definite conclusions or recommendations arc offered but a brief summary of tho data is given in the form of charts. Physical examinations of all new applicants for work arc made by the plant's physician in all 18 of the companies. FLeven of tho companies recognize only 1 grade of applicant, two recognize 3 different grades and txvo classify into 4 grades. Of the defects temporarily accepted by .;ono companies pending treatment or correction, defects of vision heads the list as it also does the causes for rejection. However, of the defects most commonly found, hernia is most frequent. (These are three separate cate gories.) One large company states that the number of rejections of now appli cants -\ccc not excoed 5%. Among the 13 companies, only 3 of the smaller do not have any program of re-examination. Three have programs covering all of their mill workers (at varying periods; 1-3 years) and 12 companies re-examine certain occupations where there may exist unusual hazard to health or body, such as transportation workers, those with exposures to silica, lead, benzol, etc. X-rays arc made of all employees in three companies and eight others make the tost where there is evidence or suspicion of disease; four make them of certain groups and four do not make or roquire these tests. The average figure for absenteeism of about 6 days for all employees is misleading since it does not in clude the many days lost through cases v:hich lasted less than seven days (those figures were taken from sick benefit records). 103. Gastr.--intestinal Diseases among Stool Workers. F.E.H. Boy. Can. Pub. Health Journal, 30, 555 (November 1939). The importance of this problem is demonstrated by the fact that during 1938 a steel plant employing 3200, had 2377 days of lost time due to gastro-intestinal disease in contrast with 946 loot lays for respiratory illnesses and 881 days by cardiovascular diseases. The changing weekly shift is undoubtedly an important factor in the prcvlence of gastric and intestinal disorders. There were no peptic ulcers as far as is known among 75 women employees (office workers) but there were 60 men with positive x-ray diagnoses of ulcer and one death from a perforation. The author believes this figure to be extremely low, as postmortem observations show scars of ulcers in about 10% of the cases. Tho author wonders v/hat influence a regulated mid-shift meal would huvo on the incidence of these ccnditiens. U---u <c = n=5n Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 5. 104. Statistical Research on the Frequency of Gastric Ulcers under Different Occupa tional Conditions. R. Duesberg and W. Weiss. Arbeitsschuta, pp. 172-273 09397: (German). A previous publication by the senior author shov/ed that pyloric ulcer is more commun in men who do strenuous work and do not have an adequate mid-day lunch period. A statistical analysis of this material now reveals that among the above-mentioned workmen, the percentage of gastric ulcers is 2.0/' as comparod with C.3a among clerks ana officials. 105. Industrial Hernia and Its Control. L.H. Frechtling. National Safety News, 41, 34 (January 1040). Hernias may be divided into two types as to etiology: traumatic and occupation al. The first type is relatively rare, including tliose produced by violence and by weakness of the abdominal wall. The common or industrial type far outnumbers the others. It is coia that in this country one person in every thirty has a hernia. The estimation has been made that the individual with a hernia is only good for 25-> of his possible efficiency. Physical examination, personal his tory, presence of tuberculosis, diabetes or syphilis, and proper placement of the -worker are all important factors in the prevention of hernia. In the v.-riter1 s opinion, control by mechanical means should only bo considered as a temporary measure. There is also a discussion of the problem of hernia in com pensation cases. 106. Health and Safety. C.M. Fcllman. Min. ccMotall., 21^, 24 (January 1940). A general review of accomplishments in safety and health protection work for the year 1939. The author discusses the progress made in tho prevention of silicosis, improvement in respirators, self-contained oxygen apparatus, venti lation, etc, 107. A Small Foundry1 s Health Program. P.E. Rontschler. National Safety News, 40, 82 (October 1939). ` Experience in a system of physical examination, x-rays and serology of a small industrial plant. A program of education insured full cooporation and interest on the part of the employees. Such enthusiasm developed that the families of employees were brought into the meetings for health education. 108. Industrial Lighting Problems. Eng. & Boiler House Rev., 53, 312 (December 1939). (British). The difficulties of maintaining proper lighting conditions together with effective "block-out" practice is discussed. The necessity of constructing light traps at entrances and exits is stressed. 109. Silicosis and Type III Pneumococcus Pneumonia: An Experimental Study. A. J. . Vorwald, A.B. Delahant and M. Dv/urski. J.Ind.Hyg. & Toxicol., 2, 64-74 (Feb ruary 1940). Conjecture as to effect of silicosis on pulmonary infections other than tuber culosis led to these investigations. In vitro, silica has no effect on the growth or morphology of this organism. No unusual susceptibility to this organism was seen in silicotic animals and the disease seemed to run its natural c'urse. Silicotic nodules were unchanged by the action of pneumococci and no influence on the immune reactions to Type III were observed. It might even be 3tated, conclude the authors, that the presence of silicosis increases the re sistance of rabbits to Type III, if length of life be taken as an index of rejistnnce. HWBB-0tiO99!>8 'JUl -^_57i Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 6. 110. The Prevention of Silicosis: Experimental Investigations on the Action of Certain Non-5iliceous Dusts and Silica in the Origin and Development of Silico sis. C. Naeslund. J.Ind.Hyg. Sc Toxicol., 22, 1-30 ]jacuary 1940). An investigation into the problems of obtaining practical methods for the pre vention of silicosis by the inhalation of harmless dusts and to discover the existence of dusts which might increase the toxicity of silica. The non-siliceous dusts tested were coal, soda, calcium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, metallic aluminum, iron oxides and magnesium oxides. The siliceous dusts in cluded quartz, colloidal and amorphous silica, also leptite, cement and glass. Comparative subcutaneous tests were made to determine the differential effects of the dusts before proceeding with the inhalation tosts. It was found that the chemically indifferent dusts, such as coal and glass, do not have any apparent effect on the silicotic process. Silicosis and anthraoosis appear to develop quite independently and with no sign of mutual collaboration. Alkaline dusts produced irritation and necrosis in the lungs with very slight fibrotic res ponse, and no sign of effect on toxicity of the silicon. These latter dusts produced marked susceptibility to pulmonary infections and may account for deaths from "acute silicosis" in human beings who have inhaled quartz and alka line dusts. The author found that pure metallic aluminum considerably retarded the rise of silicosis and also had an inhibitivo effect on the development of fibrotic reactions. Iron and magnesium dust also possess a very slight inhib itory action on silica. The additon of cement dust brought about a slight de crease in the effect of silica but appeared to increase the risk of pulmonary infection with fatal issue at a relatively early stage (like other alkaline dusts). 111. Stone Dust in Mines as it Affects Silicosis. C.S. Chubb and T.A.J. Braithwaito. Iron Sc Coal Trades Rev., 139, 417 (November 24, 1939). The authors briefly state certain facts about silicosis and consider the vari ous sources of stone dust in r>. coal mine, methods of combating the dust hazard, and ways and various means of determining the concentration of dust. 112. On the Free and Combined Silica in Silicotic Lungs. G.E. Sc M.J. Youngberg. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Sc Med., 43, 146-148~(japuary 1940), This is the data and results on 14 silicotic lungs obtained from autopsies. Free silica varies greatly both in actual concentration and in per cent of total silico; concentrations range from 0.086# to 1.290$ of the dry lung; as a part of the total silica, the free silica ranges from 3.25# to 91#. Total silica was determined by gravimetric hydrofluoric acid method. 113. Observation of a Fatal Case of Silicosis without Tuberculosis. F. Naville, R. Herrmann and R. Andeond. Arch.mal.prof., 2_, 464-470 (1939). (French). A fatal case of silicosis caused by sandblasting. A marked pleuritic thicken ing of the upper left lobe is striking. 114. Silicosis and the Analyst. F.S. Fowweather. Analyst, ^64, 779-787 (November 1939). Vfhcre pathological evidence is doubtful, chemical analysis of the lungs may possibly help tc clarify the issue but it can never be a deciding factor in the diagnosis of silicosis after death. The relation between fibrosis and the silica-content of lungs ic far from close. While in general the most fibrotic part was found to contain more silica than the less fibrotic portion, great differences between degrees of fibrosis v/ere found where differences in silica content were small, and vice versa. Comparing the lungs of different individ uals in different occupations this lack of correlation was often very striking# HttBB-0009959 ( TO M aLu) :^ H J i ) ^ HNBB-000996B -.5) Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 7, 115. Use of the Interferometer for Two Component Mixtures. G.C, Harrold and L.E. Gordon. J.Ind.Hyg. & Toxicol., 21. 491"497 (December 1939). The interferometer may be used in industrial hygiene to quantitatively determine any gas or vapor having a refractivity sufficiently different from that of air. A limiting factor has been that there is no available refractivity for certain substances. The authors have devised a method for the calibration of the in terferometer and have constructed charts for high and low concentrations of the various contaminants. It will aid in making more accurate routine air analyses for toxic vapors having a sufficient spread in refractivitios. 116. The Percontagcc of Particles of Different Sizes Removed from Dust-Laden Air by Breathing. A.M. Van i-.'ijk and H.S. Patterson. J.ind.Hyg. & Toxicol., 22, 31-35 {January 1940). Results of an investigation into the fractions of particles of various sizes removed from dusty air by breathing. For this purpose, the authors devised an apparatus using thermal precipitators as sampling instruments. They found that 25$ of the 0.2 micron size end 80$ of the 2 micron particles were removed. The percentage removal between these two sizes is nearly proportional to the square root of thoir size. Above the size of 3 microns, the percentage removal in creases slowly until at the 5 micron si2o almost 95$ of the particles are re moved. These conclusions are based on the results obtained using three sub jects for breathing tests. 117. Separation and Collection of Suspended Material from Gases. O.M. Faber. Staub, ,119-124 (1939). (^emon). A discussion of the deficiency of present methods. The author believes washing methods arc preferable to filters. Methyl alcohol, with a surface tension less than water, is recommenced. With wash bottles containing water and others con taining methyl alcohol, he was able to retain all of the dust in air. A quanti tative precipitation is possible if one bottle contains methyl alcohol vapor. 118. Determination of Quartz (Free Silica) in Refractory Clays. L.J. Trostel and D.J. Wynne. J.Ara.Cer.Soc., 25, 13-22 (January 1940). A modified chemical method is described, in which the sanplo is strongly fluxed with potassium pyrosulfate in a vitreous silica crucible. This procedure is more efficacious than boiling in concentrated sulfuric acid to dissolve a wide range of aluminum silicate minerals and the highly aluminous or diasporitic clays. The silica, combined with the clay minerals, is liberated as silicic acid and is subsequently dissolved in hot sodium hydroxide solution. The quartz remains as a residue. A detoimination may bo completed in 8 hours or so and no special apparatus or reagents are required. The proscribed teapemtoros, however, must bo closely followed. The maximum quartz that will be found in clays is pro bably 50$. The net error in this case would be minus 0.15$. In a clay contain ing about 25$ quartz, the errors are practically balanced. For clays containing 10$ cr loss quartz, the net error would be plus 0.13$. The method has been applied only to the more common unfired refractory clays. Its value for hightemperature forms of crystalline silica and fired fireclay products remains to bo studied. 119. Dust Count Techniques ir. Tri-State Minos. H.C. Chollson. Eng.Min.Journal, 140, 29-33 (December 1939). The first investigation of silicosis was made in the Tri-State region in 1913. Interest in this subject ha3 continued, with surveys, precautionary measures, and clinics being supported and encouraged by various industrial, governmental, insurance and social groups. A summary of survey methods, dust count records, and recommendations is given. Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 8. HWBB-0B09961 120. Air Sampling of Asbestos Dust. J.W, Fehnel. Industrial Medicine, Ind. Hyg. 5ec., !_, 5-7 (January 1940). The author finds that the impinger and electrostatic methods of sampling agree in the detemination of total asbestos dust concentration but that the latter method does entrap more fibers. Although there are reports in the literature of fibers as long as 360 microns in the lungs of asbestos workers, the author found that 50ft of the dust collected was less than 2.5 microns in the longest dimension and 97>i were less than 10 microns. These samples were obtained in plants whore asbestos textiles were manufactured. is. 121. Factor/ Dust Control. P.C. Ziemke. Mill & F.actory, 25^, 73 (September 1939). A satisfactory program for the prevention of silicosis in the majority of dusty industries will include physical supervision and education, alternation of men at lusty ana non-dusty work, segregation of dusty processes, local exhaust ven tilation, masks or helmets or both, and finally plant cleanliness and a deter mination on the part of those responsible to keep down dust. 122. Gre Concentration and Milling (Dust Control). E.'.V. Engelmann. Min. ScMetall., 21, 36-38 (January 1940). In a general discussion of ore concentration and milling, the author discusses recent developments in dust control measures taken in this industry. 123. The Removal of dilica Dust from Large Castings Three Crane Size. P.S. Tanner, Occupational Hazards, 2, 8-10, 23 (*ebruary 1940). A discussion of the difficulties of dust control in the 3hako-out of largo castings weighing from 200,000 to 350,000 pounds and necessitating the use of three cranes. A plan was devised to take care of the unusual problems due to the sine of the castings utilizing roof ventilators, isolation and periods when few workmen are about. It was not found that a ventilating system of this type resulted in an increase in the number of cases of colds and pneumonia. 124. Requirements for Dust Control in Stone Cutting. T. Hatch and W.B. Harris. New York State Dept, of Labor, Industrial Bulletin, 18, 379-381 (December 1939). Basic studies into the problem of dust control in stone cutting have revealed that this hazard can bo effectively controlled. Local exhaust ventilation is the usual method of elimination employing special designs to provide for the flexibility of movement required by this type of work. Wetting may bo effective in certain operations. An outline of recommended standards of design for hoods and other parts of the exhaust system is given and a list of operations whore wetting has been found to be an effective method of dust control. 125. Violations of Safety Orders. Workmen*s Compensation Statistics, Industrial D-mmission of Wisconsin. December 22, 1939. The workmen*3 Compensation Lav; gives some weight to the "negligence" factor in that it provides that compensation indemnity and death benefits shall be in creased by 15ft where the injury was caused by the employer* s failure to comply with safety orders of the Industrial Commission or the State Safety Statute. Similarly the Legislature has provided that compensation shall be reduced by 15ft where the injury was caused by the employee's failure to uso safety devices pro vided by the employer -- or by failure to ooey reasonable safety rules estab lished and enforced by the employer -- or because of intoxication. During the 17-ycar period, 1822 1938, there were 6,405 injury cases where it was found that injury was due to "negligence" of the employer. The increased in demnity paid in these cases totaled over $465,000 or an average of $27,000 annually. There were nearly 100 cases where the injury was found to be due to "negligence" of the employee -- the resulting reductions averaged less than $400 a year. TOmta? 1 HW88-0U09962 53 'cs< n Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 9. 126. Origin of Silicosis Claims. Ohio Industrial Commission Monitor, 13, 16 (Jan uary 1940). 1 The Silicosis amendment to the Occupational Disease act of Ohio became effec tive July 31, 1937. An analysis shows that of the 330 silicosis claims since then, 111 have been allowed, 165 disallowed and 54 are still pending. A study as to their source revoals that 59 cases or 53.1^ originated in foundries, 14 in steel, 32 in iron and 13 in non-ferrous plants. Forty-two or 37,9^ were in the ceramic industries, distributed as follows: building brick and tile 1, enamels 2, firebrick 2, floor and wall tile 8, glass house refractories 3, insu lating brick 5, insulators 1, silica sand and diatomaceouc earth 2, stoneware products 2, and tableware 14. Eight or 7.2$ were in cut stone plants, 6 in momiraent works and 1 each in quarries and building stone. There was 1 case in polishing and buffing of iron and steel and one grinding knives on a sandstone wheal. 127. Occupational Pisoaso Coverage. R.C. Starr. National Safety News, 41_, 17 (January 1940). ........... A S;jmary of the current trends in occupational disease legislation. Sec Abstract No. 786, November 1939 Bulletin. 128. Pyrophyllite Dust -- Its Effect and Control. M.F, Trice. American Institute of Mining tc Metallurgical Engineers, Tech. Pub. No. 1179 (February 1940). Pyrophyllite is used commercially to fill cloth, paper and roofing materials; as an extender for paints and as a surfaccr for cardboard; in the production of electrical and other porcelains; in the manufacture of talcum powder, as a filler in storage batteries and for dusting tiro molds, to prevent sticking. Its silica content varies from 10 to 355o and has been shown to produce a dense fibrosis of the lungs. This is a report of the clinical findings, of the dust surveys made and of the control methods which were instituted. Counts were re duced from as high as three biliion to 10 million. 129. Wool Sensitivity in Woolen Industry. J. Am. Med. Assoc., (Queries & Minor Notes) 113, 2260 (December 16, 1939). Avoidance of or minimising contact with virgin wool and hyposensitization are the only two methods that can bo used in wool sensitive cases. The former is preferable to the latter. It is difficult to decrease the amount of wool dust in wool manufacturing establishments. No successful means of dealing with sen sitive workers who are compelled to remain in the industry are known. . 130. Testing and Design of Respiratory Protective Devices. H.H. Schrenk. U.S. Bureau of Mines, Inioiuation Circular No. 7086 (September 1939). The test apparatus, test procedures, and approval requirements of dust respir ators are described in detail. A description of the design and operating prin ciples of the various typos of respiratory equipment is given; also in some detail the requirements for masks fur protection against carbon menoxide, 131. . yielding Shops Require Exhaust Ventilating Systems. H.S. Card. Sheet Metal Industries,^13, 928 (July 1939). The larger production of fumes and smoke which have resulted from the increased use of heavily coaxed electrodes has resulted in an investigation of this sus pected hazard with findings that are predominantly negative. However, since clearer atmospheres contribute greatly to efficiency in workers, special measures of exhaust ventilation have been adopted. A discussion of various methods is given.  <0 c=_5n Digest of Industrial Hygi9ne - 10. 132. On the Hygiene of Bomb-proof Shelters. C.L. Schwartz. Gesunaheits Ingenieur, 62. 569-71 (September 23, 1939}* (German). A report from the Hamburg Institute of Hygiene reviewing methods of maintaining hygienic air temperatures and humidity conditions in anti-aircraft protection shelters, talcing into account effects of gas attacks. 133. Experimental Basis of Injury by Light Metals. V,'. Bufe and H. Gissel. Dtsch. Ztschr. f. Chir., 252, 224-234 (1939). (German). Histological examination has revealed that vacuolos are formed in the inflamed tissue around smell splinters of light metals, especially those of aluminum and duralumin. Whereas heavy metals have a gemicidal effect in nutrient agar, light metals have no such effect. These facts explain the unusual course of in flammation in lesions caused by light metals. Papers on Industrial Poisons, Cancer, Dermatitis, etc. 134. Problems in Safe Handling of Solvents. I. Mellan. Occupational Hazards, 2_, 16-1?, 36-40 (February 1940). ~ ~ ~ Comparative lists of chlorinated solvents are given, arranged according to relative toxicity. Those which produce only a light narcosis are listed separ ately from the group which produce fatal poisoning. The author suggests that concentrations of bonzeno as low as 1600 p.p.m. give rise to cases of light poisoning; this is much higher than the permissible limit of 100 p.p.m. or less which is usually accepted. Toluene, the polymethylene derivatives, the anesthe tics, alcohols, esters, ketones, ethers and glycols are also discussed. 135. Solvents in Photogravure. E. Wagner. Druck. u. Werberkunst. No. 4, 140 Xl939). (German) 7 A description of the offects of benzene, toluene and xylone upon the skin, blood, central nervous system and internal organs. 136. The Use of Lead-Containing Spray Dyes in the Leather and Artificial Leather Industries! K. Humperdinck. Arboitsschutz, 270-271 (1939). (German). Several cases of load poisoning stimulated an analysis of the dyes used in artificial leather work. The paint showed about 3.5of lead, while there was about 25% in the yellow and brown pigments. 137. Myolotoxicosis from Benzeno. Clinical and Hematological Study of 10 Cases of Occupational Benzene Poisoning. M. Lany, P. Kissel and L. Pierquin. Sang, 13, 4~67-488~Tl939). (French). A report on. benzene exposure in shoo workers. There had bean a chronic expo sure for a number of years but with the introduction of a new adhesive contain ing 30# benzene, there was a sudden appearance of symptoms. In every case, there was anemia, decrease in erythrocyte count, hemorrhago, increase in bleed ing time, fall in number of platelets and leucocytes, especially granulocytes. Improvement was slow and thore wore relapses. Thoro was fever in the cases which progressed. The fatal cases showed changes not only in the bone marrow but also in the liver. In three fatal cases, the bone marrow aplasia was al most complete. Vitamin E was without effect but blood transfusions gave good results. 138. Homological Research on Experimental Poisoning by Trinitrotoluene. U. BizzariT Folia. Med., 24, 801-828 (1939). (Italian). The author believes he can differentiate between the blood changes caused by the nitrogen totroxide group (polycythemia) and those resulting from toluene (anisocytosis, leucopenia, etc.). HiiBB-0009963 ''igest of Industrial Hygiene - 11. HmBB-0009964 139. The Acute Vapor Toxicity of Ally! Chloride. E.M. Adams, H.C. Spencer and D.D. Irish. J. Ind. Ilyg. & Toxicol., 2, 79-86 (February 1940). This compound appears to be one of the most toxic of the halogenated hydro carbons, having a strong irritant action. Animals exposed to as little as 10mg. per liter showed irritation of the mucous membranes after a short exposure. Microscopic examination revealed lesions in the lung and kidney but only slight changes in the liver. Death seemed to result from lung injury, though kidney damage may have been a factor in prolonged exposures at low concentra tions. S_n 140. Comparative Physiological Effects of Pure, Commercial and Crude Benzenes. H.H, Schrenk, W.P, Yaut, J.J. Pearce and P..R. Sayers. J.Ind.Hyg. & Toxicol., 22, 53-63 (February 1940). Comparative study made on various grades of benzene. Effort was also made to determine whether th-: entity known as benzene poisoning is duo to pure benzene 0 or impurities occurring in it. Crude benzene soens to produce the least physio . logical action. The pure and commercial types have about the sane effect, the one affecting guinea pigs more pronouncedly, the other having a greater effect on dogs. The conclusion reached was that the animals* response is characteris tic of benzene poisoning; that it is duo to the benzene content and not to im . purities. 141. Experimental Studios on the Toxic Effect of Trichlorothylene. P. Lane, P. Dervilloe and C. Nun. Arch. Mai. prof., 2_, 454-463 (1939). (French). No internal changes were observed in experiments where trichlorothylene was introduced by the skin or mucous routes, but by ingestion or inhalation, over a period cf time, they found hepatic and renal changes. The acute action affect the nervous centers. 142. Injury by Asplit. E. Schrader and W. Ro3gen. Munch, med. Wchnschr., 86, 1239-1241 (1939). (Goman). Asplit, a mixture of phenol-formaldehyde resin, quartz dust, paratoluene sulfochloride and kaolin used for making or lining vessels for acids and alka lies. The workers most often affected are those who heat the substance and they show various symptoms. There have boon itchy oruptions of the skin, irri tations of the respiratory mucous membranes, gastro-intestinal disturbances, nervous symptoms, convulsions and subjective heart troubles. 143. Carbon Disulfide Poisoning of tho Nervous System. C. Baumann. Ztschr. f. d. gos. Neurol, u. Psychiat., 166, 568-580 (1939). (Goman). The author is interested in the differentiation of acute and chronic carbon disulfide poisoning. He describes a case of the acute type with disturbances of sensibility and nobility of the right half of tho body and concludes that this was caused by injury to one-half of the cerebellum. In experimental poisoning in animals, he found in chronic poisoning large parts of the gray natter changed, not only tho cortex but also the basal ganglia and the medulla oblongata. In the animal acutely poisoned, the Purkinje cellules of the cere bellum were markedly affected. 144. Subacute Yellow Atrophy of the Ilvor due to "Solvont." L.E. Braunstein. J.Am. Med. Assoc,, 114, 136-138 (January 13, 1940). "rT1T,n`~ Petroleum derivatives usually have a toxic effect on the central and peripheral nervous systems ranging from mild neuritis to coma with death. This is,- how ever, a report of a case of subacute yellow atrophy of tho liver due to expo sure to "Stoddard's solvent" commonly used in the dry-cleaning industry. Tests on the particular solvent used failed to reveal impurities or other compounds. oo 0-1 0. () -.5) Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 12. 145. Chlorinated Naphthalenes in Industrial Medicine. F.3. Flinn. Arch. nal. prof. 2_, 453-439 (1939), (French). Workmen exposed to these substances show symptoms of hepatic disturbances. Fatal cases die with signs of toxic jaundice. The author reports the results of morphologic and chemical examination of the blood and of the autopsy. Animal experiments show that the exposure produces acute yellow atrophy of the liver. 146. Apparatus and Methods for Testing the Toxicity of Vapors. D.D. Irish and E.M. Adams, Ind. Med., Ind. Hyg. Sec., 1^, 1-5 (January 1940). A description, with designs ana photographs, of the devices and methods used by the authors for maintaining controlled concentrations of a vapor in air for the purposes of testing its toxicity. They discuss supply of air and vapor to be tested, metering, mixing, exposure chambers, exhaust systems, sampling and analytical methods, and the subject of control animals. Such toxicological ex periments are the sole basis for many of the accepted pemi3Sible limits. Upon them are based the plans which will permit of their safe manufacture or use in inuustry. 147. Termite Spray and Orthodichlorobenzene. J. An. Med. Assoc., (Queries & Minor Kotos) 113, 2082 (December 2, 1959). urtho-dichlorcbenzene is the usual agent contained in these sprays. Care should be taken tc avoid skin contact with this substance and in applying it to the closed space under a building, the operator 3hould not remain too long ex posed to the vapors. 148. Load Content of Urine and its Relation to Clinical Diagnosis of Lead Poisoning. J. F. Keith and C.P. van Dijk.Nothorland. Tidjschr. v. Gcneesk. 83, 1584-1591 (1939). (Dutch). The normal ingestion of lead is estimated to be 250-500 microgroms per day which is mostly eliminated in the feces. Although the urinary elimination of lead is regarded to be the best indicator of the severity of lead poisoning, it is hampered by the lack of agreement on the nomal load content of the urine. Therefore, the authors studied urine of 102 normal persons. Using the dithizone method, they found that in 98$ of the cases the value for lead was below 6C micrograns. Bismuth is a possible source of error as it reacts with diphenylthiocarbazcl almost like lead. 149. Load Poisoning and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Cases Settled, 1953-1938. Work men's Compensation Statistics, Industrial Commission of Wisconsin. December ID, 1939. For the six year period, 1933-1938, the tablo shows 74 cases of industrial lead poisoning which cost $57,093 or an average of $772 per case for indemnity and medical aid benefits. It also reports 131 cases of industrial carbon monoxide poisoning which cost $35,682 or an average of $272 per case. A majority of the lead poisoning cases were duo to the absorption of lead from ordinary commercial paints. Most of the carbon monoxide cases involved automobile mechanics or drivers of trucks and other vehicles with closed cabs. 150. Experimental Study on Ingestion of Load Compounds. R.A. Kohoe, J,Am.Med.Assoc., 114. 438 (February 3, 1940). " Two human subjects wore used: one ingested 2 mg. of soluble lead daily for six months, the other 1 mg. for a period of thirty months. Neither had any symptoms of plumbism, even of the vague type, nor did they show any of the blood changes. The results are highly significant in connection with the hygionic problem of human lead ingestion with food and beverages and in relation load intoxication. the diagnosis of HMBB-B009965 Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 13. HhBB-8089966 151. Lead Poisoning and Parkinsonism. J.Am.Med. Assoc., (Queries & Minor Notes) 114, 79 (January 6, 1940). There is no known relationship between lead poisoning and the Parkinson C -V syndrome. Although chronic lead poisoning causes a severe encephalopathy, no cases of parkinsonism have been described. Manganese is one of the metais known to cause a parkinsonian-like state. 152. Detection of Early Lead Injury by Observing the Skin Vessels. H. Otto and G. Hahn. Ztschr. f. klin. Mod., 136. 61-7611939). (German). Using the capillary microscope, the spasmodic effect of lead was demonstrated in the capillaries and arterioles. The observations are of the utmost impor tance in the study of the pathology of lead poisoning (high blood pressure, kidney disease) since it is the authors' opinion that the capillary changes are irreversible and gradually pass over into an arteriocapillary fibrosis. 0 153. Studios on the Detoxication Mechanism. I. The Ability of the Apple or its Constituents to Counteract the Toxic Effects of Lead and Arsenic. Ira A. Man- villc, Francis J. Roithel, Paul M. Tornado, T.W. Spencer and John R. Richardson. @ J. Ind. Hyg, & Toxicol., 22, 36-47 (January 1940). Test animals were fed controlled diets containing known amounts of lead arsen ate and apple supplements. It was found that as the proportion of apple to lead increased, greater protection against the toxic effects of lead (weight loss, death) was observed. The animals receiving the highest proportion of apple to lead showed no signs of toxicity and thero was 100$ survival. Although leaj arsenate was the material used, the conclusion drawn is that protection is afforded against the toxic effects of lead by the apple. 154. Cancer from Lubricating Oils. A. Tcuraine and H. Dour. Rev. mod. franc., 20, 285-292 (1939). (French!". The occurrence, clinical symptoms and medico-legal aspects of cancer from lubri cating oils is very completely reviewed. 155. Nun-Irritating but Adequate Cleansing of the Skin (Satina). H. Ruf. Munch, mod. Wchnschr77*^^Tl335^T58irTl959l! (Goman). To overcome the disadvantages of the usual alkali soaps, new types have been produced, the basic compounds of which are fat-alcohol-sulfonates or sulphonated oils, combined with condensation products of fatty acids. Another typo* of which "Satina" is an example, is made from condensation products of protein. 156. Contact Dermatitis from Opium Derivatives with Special Reference to Occupation al Aspects. . J.Yf. Jordan, and E.D. Osborne. J. Am. Mod. Assoc., 113, 1955-1957 (November 25, 1939). A report of three cusos of dermatitis in nurses and one in a worker with mor phine. In two >t the nurses, the condition spread to other parts of the body. It may remain localized, however, and resemble ringworm or other types of con tact dermatitis. One woman was vory sensitive to dilutions as high as 1:1,000,000. 157. Anthrax and its Treatment with Immune Serum in Bulgaria. W. Batschwnroff. Deutsch. Med. V/chnschr. 65, 1345-1346 (1939). (German). Out of a population of about 6,250,000, between 800-1000 cases of anthrax develop in Bulgaria. Nearly 3000 animals Jio of it each year. The mortality experiencod by the author using a treatment of fractionated doses of serum was 4.3$ of 346 men treated. The amount of serum usod was 50-400 cc., although in some cases, it was as high as 900 cc. o p=c tPh <l Wi 'sk Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 14. 158. Dry Ice (Carbon Dioxide}. National Safety Council. Industrial Data Sheet No. D-Chem. 11. Reprints may be obtained from The National Safety Council, 20 N. Wicker Drive, Chicago, 111. A serious hazard encountered with the use of large quantities of dry ice is that of suffocation due to deficiency of oxygen. For this reason, ventilation must be provided for in the storage of dry ice especially where it is handled in pits. It may also cause serious "bums" or frost-bite on contact with the skin. 159. Industrial Dermatosis. E.G. Bsgnulo. Industrial Medicine, 23-25 (January 1940), A discussion of the causes, (especially those of chemical origin) diagnosis, prevention and treatment of industrial skin affections. Tho author feels that more instruction of workers should be provided by employers and insurance com panies. The preventive aspects of these diseases needs much more emphasis. 160. Toxicity of Chlorates. J.Am.Mod.Assoc., (Queries & Minor Notes), 114, 347 (January 27, 1940). Damaged skin is readily irritated by high concentrations of chlorate solutions. On the unbroken skin, chlorates act as oxidizers and dessicators. Inhalation of the dust is undesirable and repeated skin contact may result in a dermatitis. If appreciable quantities are absorbed, vomiting, gastro-onteritis, diarrhea, methemoglobinuria, hepatitis, nephritis, anemia, cyanosis and other manifesta tions may occur. 161. Effects of 5:4-Benzopyrene on Human Skin. G.B. Cottini and G.B. Mazzone. Att. J. of Cancer, 57_, 173-328 (October 1939). Abstr. in J.Am.Med.Assoc., 114, 87 (January 6, 1940). Daily cutaneous applications to human subjects of a 1% solution of benzopyrene in benzene for variable periods resulted in definite manifestations localized to the treated areas. Erythema, pigmentation, desquamation, the formation of vcrrucae and infiltration developed in chronologic order. Pigmentary and verrucous lesions were the most commonly observed changes. It would seem to be safe to conclude that benzopyrene, if applied to the human skin for extended periods, would be carcinogenic. 162. Etiology and Pathogenesis of Occupational Skin Diseases, Based upon Observations of 1,000 Workers with Skin Diseases. C. Flandin and H. Rabeau. Arch.nal.prof., 2, 247-259 (1939). (French). Contrary to some writers, these authors maintain that the skin test is by far the best method of detecting sensitivity, even though it is laborious. Desensi tization rarely succeeds. A detailed description is given of the method of skin testing. Negative results mu3t be evaluated cautiously. Predisposing factors such as soaps, degreasing substances, climate and soason may be present. 163. Minimizing Cutting Oil Skin Infections. J.T. Beard. Occupational Hazards, 2, 27-30 (February"1940}. ~ A discussion of the necessary precautions for the prevention of skin infections by cutting oil. It may act as a carrier for organisms already in the surface of the skin as well as those which may contaminate the oil. The presence of sulphides in the oil, by increasing the acidity, may provide a medium for the growth of germs. Oil should be filtered and sterilized before re-use. HMB8-0009967 J5> () (S) -3 Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 15. 164. Fetal Carbon Dioxide Poisoning in a Grain Silo. Ronicke. Arbeitsschutz, pp. 262-265 (1939). (German). After entering a silo, a workman became unconscious. Although a rope was put around him, the upper part of his body fell through the back of a ladder and it was impossible to pull him out. Directly above the corn stored in the silo, the carbon dioxide content was 4$. 165. Carbon Monoxide and Hypertonia. M. Stammler and G.V'. Parade. Klin. Wchnschr., 18, 1049-1050 (1939)". (Goman). Autopsy report of a man, 48 years old, who six years previously had a blood pressure of 225/140 and had a constant exposure to low concentrations of carbon monoxide. Postmortem examination revealed an old yellow centre of softening at the periphery of the internal capsule and lenticular nucleus. There was also present a remarkablo hypertrophy of the adrenal medulla. In the authors' opin ion, carbon monoxide caused an excessive secretion of adrenalin, leading to an endocrine hypertonia. It is also possible that the brain changes had chronical ly stimulated the adrenal gland. 166. Severe Carbon Monoxide Poisoning with Prolonged Coma. E.B. Sanger and W.L. Gilliland. J.Am.Med.Assoc., 114, 324~ (January 2?'/ 1940). Description of a very severe case of carbon monoxide poisoning resulting in varying degrees of coma for twelve days. After the coma the patient revealed transitory but marked symptoms of acute psychosis with parkinsonism. There was a severe peripheral polyneuritis followed by pomanent paralysis of the muscles of the right foot. Except for the paralysis, the patient mado a complete re covery, mentally and physically. 167. Disturbance of Sugar Metabolism after Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. S. Moeschlin. Acta Mod. Scand., 1027^40 (September 23, 1959)"/ Abstr. in J. Am. Med. Assoc., 115, 2194 (December 9, 1939). The investigation was stimulated by the observation of glycosuria after carbon monoxide poisoning. In 57$ of the oases the blood sugar was noticeably increas ed; however, there was no correlation between the severity of ths intoxication and the degree of increase in sugar content of the blood. Leucocytosis is more frequent than hyperglycemia. The author believes that the sugar disturbance is due to central impairment but is undecided whether it is direct toxic action or duo to hypoxemia. 168. Parkinsonian Syndrome from Electrical Injury: Two Cases. M.H. Weinberg. Jour nal Nervous & Mental Diseases, 90, 758 {December 1959). Abstr.in J.Am.Med,Assoc., 114, 527 (February 10, 1940). One of these cases was injured while using the telephone, resulting in deafness of the left side and athotosis. The other was diagnosed as having hemiplegia of the right side with parkinsonism due to a lesion involving the left basal ganglion and internal capsule as result of electrical injury. The author warns that there is a too ready tendency to diagnose functional disease in such cases. 169. Statistics on Hunan Anthrax in Germany in 1957. Reichsgesundheitsbl., 14, 729-732 (1939). fGeman). A report of 7 fatal cases out of a total of 78. Of the 595 cases from 1931 1937, only elsvon wore internal; this type is always fatal. The external type was only fatal in 10.3$ of the cases. HBBB-8009968