Document rBvp132J3B7KxeVKwbRZYGLLG

Dr. ARMSTRONG mmp 7icz-puan>KHT This is the ftnil report of the Industrial ayglens Ssction for 1936f including figures for December. IT-* >-41 ANMDaL report jal Iha IHDOSTRIAL HEALTH SSCTIOS iq-^6 . . McConnell, M.D. Assistant Medical Director PERSONNEL QT STATT Dr. K. J. McConnell, Assistant Medical Director, Director, Industrial Health Section Mies Eleanor Rantoul, Research Assistant Miss Anne Reilly, Secretary to Dr. UcConnell Miss Anne Connay, Stenographer . J. Km. Fehnel, Chemist-in-Charge of Industrial Hygiene Laboratory . Peter Petrick, Technician . John J. Ferry, Assistant Chemist . Austin Long, Assistant Chemist Mr. John Uilesnick, Porter in the laboratory UAJOR SDRV5I The surrey of the asbestos plants and nines started in 1934 has been ooncluded during 1936* This included a recheck survey of some of the plants to determine what improvements, if any, have been effected by the installation of certain equipment designed to control the dust, as well as a number of new plants, particularly on the Pacific Coast. Plants studied in 1936 were: J ohns-Uanville Redwood City, Cal. Pittsburg, Cal. Los Angeles, Cal. Lompoc, Cal. General Asbestos & Rubber Division of Raybestos-^anhattan, Inc. North Charleston, S.C. X-rays of the chests of exposed workers were sent in to the Home Office for diagnosis. In 1936 - 2570 Z-rays were interpreted. Over, 3,200 Z-rays of asbestos workers have been read in connection with the second asbestos study. X-RAX INTERPRETATIONS In addition to the 2570 X-rays of asbestos workers interpreted during 1936 the American Car and Foundry Company has been continuing to sand in for diagnosis Z-rays of their foundry employees. During 1936, X-rays of 177 of their workers were interpreted. Re have also been asked to diagnose Z-rays from other Group policyholders sent to us by the Group Claim Section in connection with claims. RPECTAL RESEARCH A study was made to determine a method of entrapping mercury and a chemical method of estimation of mercury in the air of a storage battery plant. This was necessary due to the fact that all available methods dselt with the determination of mercury in either the metallic state or in the forms of a -3- chloride or nitrate but not in the state of the oxide. Therefore, in order to daterains the presence and concentration of mercuric oxide in the atmosphere of the plant in question a method giving concordant results was developed. The presence of the oxides of nitrogen and their concentration in the fumes given off in acetylene welding were studied and a chemical method adopted which gave a true index. Settled dusts of typical industries were studied and measured to determine the percentages of the various sizes present that might be considered pathogenic. Various new atmospheric dust sampling devices were tried out under controlled conditions to determine their efficiency and comparison with the accepted standard method. Methods for the determination of mixtures of acid fumes and solvent vapors are in process of study and development. SPECIAL SERVICES A great variety of requests for information or assistance on indus trial hygiene subjects are received in this division. These are divided as follows: Rg porta (Those requests requiring time and research to answer) Special Inquiries (Those requests for which information was supplied but not considered as reports) Group policyholders 64 Non-policyholders and 58 prospects Met. Life Ins. Co. and E.O. IV 135 Group policyholders Non-policyholders and prospects Met. Life Ina. Co. and H.O. 97 180 55 332 * -4- LABORATORI SORV3IS Included in the above number of special services are 42 surveys made by the Industrial Hygiene laboratory. In analyzing the samples of atmospheric dusts, fumes and gases collected in the plants studied, 819 analyses were made in the laboratory. The classes of materials analyzed were* silica and silicates metals (lead, zinc, copper, tin, mercury, etc.) fumes (lead, zinc, mercury, solvents such as amyl acetate, methyl alcohol, dlchlorbenzlne, tricresylphosphate, etc.) gases (carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrous fumes, etc.) The companies studied by the laboratory represent a wide variety of industrial processes. Included are: floor coverings, pipe insnlation and fire bride manufacture grey and malleable castings foundry asbestos fabricating plants public utilities heat.resistant glass manufacture gas and combination range manufacture stainless steal and regular steel products such as open hearth, etc. glass manufacturing automobile radiators and car beaters paint manufacture railroad car specialties Alloy steel manufacture alkaline type storage battery manu facture china ware - hotel supply printing ink manufacture decalcomania bookkeeping book manufacture aabeetos pipe insulation and magnesia blocks mining and milling diatomaceous earth gold mine oil wall eo.uipment These 42 surveys represent 8 more than were made by the Industrial Hygiene Department of Connecticut during 1936. FIELD VISITS During the year there were 85 field visits, exclusive of visits for laboratory, survey. Included in this figure are 75 interviews in the Home Office. ADDRESSES AMD MEETIHGS Dr. McConnell and other members of the division attended 17 meetings of medical and safety organizations and made addresses at 7 of these meetings. Forty- eight newspapers and other publications gave press notices to these addresses in 505 column inches. 6- - EXHIBITS Tha Industrial Hygi*ns laboratory held an exhibit at the American Medical Association meeting in Kansas City, Mo. In addition to a display of dust sampling equipment, 24 X-rays of chests of cases of first and second stages of silicosis and asbestosis, fungus infection, pneumoconiosis caused by exposure to amorphous silica were displayed. An exhibit was also held of these X-rays at the Graduate Fortnight of the New Xork Academy of Medicine. Dr. Philip Pierson, Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine exhibited this collection of X-rays at an exhibit held in California. PUBLICATIONS Three booklets of the Industrial Health Section were completely revised and printed during the year. These are: Physical Examinations in Industry Industrial Dental Service Protection of Workers in Voiding Processes LITERATURE During the year 1936, 11,557 copies of publications were sent to Group policyholders and non-policyholders. Of these 9,409 were sent by Welfare Division order but the letter was sent from this section. Linsss Incoming letters numbered 1,7?8; outgoing, 1,5U. HOMS OFFICE CONDITIONS t In addition to field surreys of the Industrial Hygiene Laboratory, the Industrial Health Section has been of assistance to a number of divisions in the Home Office Buildings in studying their lighting and ventilating problems. In connection with the use of carbon tetrachloride in certain divisions in the Homs Office to clean type a study was made of the concentration of fuses escaping and recommendations were made of safe methods of handling this solvent. Ke have also assisted the Physician in Charge of our Sanatorium in analyzing for toxicity the paint used in some of the roons at the Sanatorium. GROUP ACTUARIAL HEALTH CLAIMS tie ere continuing to assist the Croup Actuarial Division in analyzing the experience of Groups whose claim experience has been unfavorable is order to ascertain the cause. In a number of instances, where the claims would indicate a potential health hazard, we have found it necessary to visit these plants and make an inspection or survey. Reports of findings and recommendations of ways of controlling these hazards were submitted to the Actuarial Division in order to assist them in arriving at a decision regarding rates. In connection with the practice of having Group policyholders defray Incidental expenses of surveys, these have amounted in 1936 to $3,406.20. $509*53 of this amount has been incurred but not yet billed. This is a credit against our travel account. *