Document wwbOKqvnz8y0Gy0LkmXp1GEE

L U ttlU UUIlH Industrial Hygiene Dvgeet May, 1963 commercial product and considering the distinct variations in carcinogenic potency resulting therefrom, it is most unwise to draw any definite conclusions as to the safety of this product for the human consumer, especially since it is not only a primary carcihogen but appears to exert also an injurious effect upon the gastric mucosa and liver. - - Authors' summary 432 Test for Hypersusceptibility to Hemolytic Chemicals, H. E. Stoklnger and J. T. Mountain. Arch. Environmental Health , 495-502 (Apr. 1963). The authors have suggested that a predictive teat defining abnormal human suscepti bility of the red blood cell to hemolytic drugs be extended and applied to detect similar hyper- susceptibility among workers exposed tn Industrial chemicals known to affect the red blood cells,. Hypers usceptiblllty to hemolytic chemicals has boon shown to reside In.a hereditarily trans missible defect'of the red blood cells. This defect is manifested by a fault in the glucose meta bolism of the red cell that can be readily detected by a simple, visual methemoglobln reduction test. Although the incidence of the defect varies widely according to race and subgroup, it is known to be 12 ft for the American Negro male and about 0.1 ft for the American white male; other racial groups possess the defect to varying degrees up to 60ft. industries handling chemi cal's that affect the red blood ceil might well wish to explore the practicability of this test In the preplacement medical examination in order to screen those individuals with predicted hyper- susceptibility to hemolytic chemicals before job,assignment. Approximately 1,000,000,000 workers are involved in the manufacture of Industrial chemicals; a number several times thataro ex posed to chemicals through handling and use. -- Authors' summary 433 Functional Testing for Behavioral Toxicity. A Mining Dimension in Experimental Environ mental Toxicology. J. B. Ruffin. 3. Occ. Med." 5. 117-121 (Mar. 1963). .There are several dimensions to the question of toxicity testing. A crucial, and for the most part undeveloped, dimension is that of behavioral toxicity. It is suggested (1) that the subject of behavioral toxicity be accorded be proper status (close to the top the author thinks) In the hierarchy of toxicity study criteria, and, if genuine progress is to be made, (2) that at least a few environmental toxicologists, consider evolving into psychotoxicologistt, just as pharm acologists have in some instances been successful in becoming competent psychopbarroccologists; or in any event, that etudies of behavioral activity attempted by toxicological research groups be accomplished by integrated teams of experimental psychologistsand those with traditional ex perience. A review of any monograph dealing with the complex behavioral effects of drugs, the various and multiplying techniques existing for their assessment, and the conclusions to be drawn from Such data, will readily convince the progressive toxicologist that worthwhile work is not likely to be accomplished in this dynamic field without the active participation of the well trained experimental psychologist, .-- Cond. from author's conclusion 434 Alterations of Blood Coagulation in Some Industrial Intoxications. L. Saiamone. Med. lavoro 5^, 36-44 (Jan. 1962). Italian. This investigation consists of a survey of published work. Starting with phosphorus and chloroform and early work on prothrombin, it goes Into some detail oh the changes which occur during poisoning in the complex range of factors concerned in blood dotting--dealing es pecially with carbon tetrachloride among poisons and with modification of thromboplastin and prothrombin activities among coagulation tests. Reduced coagulation power Is described from .carbon tetrachloride, paradichlorobenzene, bensol, lead, arsenic, and carbon disulfide. (Trilene, methyl chloride, methyl bromide, paraphynylenediamlne, mercury and cadmium are among poisons briefly mentioned). An increased clotting tendency results from asphyxia from, for example, smoke. A biphaaic reaction occurs in cyanide poisoning (alee in acute carbon tetra chloride poisoning). This brings the discussion to the effects of shock. Such Diphasic reactions vary according to the stimulus and are fleeting. Variable* such as age and the state of health and many others may limit the value of results of some facto.rt. The alteration* in hlood coagu lation which are described are considered to be due to a specific action of the toxic substance on llvsx and marrow and also to a non-specific stress reaction and there is the possibility of differ entiating between the two mechanisms by an evaluation of some of the chief coagulation tests, Cond. from Bull. Hyg. 03121217 FOX004883