Showing papers in "Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine in 1977"

Fluoride and plant life.

Abstract: An extensive treatise on fluorides and its role in the environment is presented. Discussed in detail are: the transfer of fluoride in the environment, the effect of fluoride on plants (including enzymes, metabolic pathways, cell modification, growth, yield, and reproduction), accumulation of fluorides by plants, the organic transformations of fluoride, and factors affecting plant response to fluoride.

Cause specific mortality of coal miners

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the cause specific mortality of the U.S. coal miner to the mortality of the total U.S. male population. A 10% sample was taken of those men covered by the United Mine Workers Health and Retirement Funds on January 1, 1959, and the resultant 23,232 miners were followed through December 31, 1971. The overall SMR was 102.1, and there was higher than expected mortality in several categories of nonmalignant respiratory disease, accidents and stomach cancer. The excess in stomach cancer occurred only for those men 70 years of age or older.

Occupational fluoride exposure.

Abstract: Effects of airborne fluoride on industrial health are discussed with regard to acute and chronic effects. Injuries to lungs and skin from acute exposures are described. Chronic effects are discussed with regard to industrial sources of fluoride and air concentrations vs. urinary concentrations of fluoride. An extensive literature review is presented in the form of a table showing responses in man exposed to industrial airborne fluorides. Osteosclerosis is discussed with regard to the fluoride air standard, bone fluoride, and air fluoride concentrations. Occupational exposures to fluoride are also discussed with regard to arthritis, shortness of breath, asthma, upper respiratory infections, chronic respiratory disease, effects on kidneys, effects on pregnancy, and indices of fluoride intoxication. A table is presented showing references to studies on responses in neighborhood residents exposed to fluoride emissions. (HLW)

A study of occupational stressor and the incidence of disease/risk.

Abstract: We have presented data correlating workers perception of their roles in an organization with the incidence of disease and/or risk of disease. The results indicate there is a significantly higher incidence of disease when particular stressors are operating. It is also evident that disease/risk occurs more frequently when workers are either under-stimulated or over-stimulated as hypothesized by Selye.

Maximal stress test performance while wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus

Abstract: Fifteen adult male volunteers (mean age = 31.0 years; eight non-smokers and seven smokers) carried out a Bruce protocol maximal treadmill stress test under four separate conditions. These four conditions were (1) without Scott Air Pak (SAP) respirator; (2) with SAP respirator apparatus but not wearing face mask; (3) with SAP apparatus, wearing face mask in "demand" breathing mode; and (4) with SAP respirator apparatus, wearing face mask in "pressure-demand" breathing mode. The data indicate that the overriding factor in the approximately 20% decrement in work performance during conditions 2, 3, and 4 was related to the weight of the SAP respirator (15.8 kg), P less than 0.05. Only during condition 3 did eight of 15 subjects report lack of air as one reason for termination. Conditions 3 and 4 resulted in a significant decrease in TFore (2.5 degrees C) and was primarily related to the decreased Tinsp which reached a maximum decrement of 9.7 degrees C. Under all conditions the smokers' work time was significantly less than nonsmokers, P less than 0.05.

Trinitrotoluene: a review of reported dose-related effects providing documentation for a workplace standard.

Abstract: The scientific and medical literature on TNT was reviewed with emphasis on studies providing correlation between work exposures and adverse health effects. Numerous adverse effects including upper respiratory and gastrointestinal complaints, anemia, liver function abnormalities, and possibly aplastic anemia have been noted at TNT levels below the current standard of 1.5 mg/m3. Mild biological effects, particularly reduction in hemoglobin levels or red blood cell counts, have been noted at exposures as low as 0.2 mg/m3. A workplace standard of 0.5 mg/m3 as an 8 hour time-weighted exposure is suggested for protection against adverse health effects.

Effects of fluoride on livestock.

Abstract: Animals normally ingest small amounts of fluorides in their diet with no adverse effect. An increased ingestion of fluoride can be harmful to animals, and grazing animals can be damaged by the consumption of high-fluoride vegetation. Cattle have been the species most commonly affected, and the symptoms of excessive fluoride ingestion in that species include; lesions in the developing dentition, skeletal lesions, lameness, chemical evidence of tissue fluoride ingestion in that species include: lesions in the developing take and decrease in production. The level of fluoride which can be tolerated by various species with no adverse effect has been determined, and this data can be used to set a standard to protect animals from the deleterious effect of fluoride ingestion.

Physiological profile of professional fire fighters.

Abstract: This investigation assessed the physical characteristics, functional capacities, and body composition of 45 professional fire fighters, aged 23 through 49 years. Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2), Recovery Oxygen Uptake, arm and leg strength, all showed a negative linear relationship with age. On the other hand, percent body fat increased with age from 18% to 21%. Hand grip strength did not decline significantly as the grip strength values remained fairly constant for all of the fire fighters. Most of the data collected were considered to be within the normal range of the sedentary North American population. It was concluded from these data that professional fire fighters might well benefit from a training program designed to develop and maintain a higher level of personal fitness. Language: en

Allergic contact dermatitis from ultraviolet cured inks. Allergic contact sensitization to acrylates.

Abstract: Eight men employed in the manufacture of ultraviolet cured inks developed allergic contact dermatitis predominantly on the exposed areas. Patch testing revealed sensitization to trimethylol propane triacrylate in seven employees, to 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate in six employees, to pentaerythritol triacrylatylate in four employees and to epoxy acrylate oligomers in three employees. Either cross-sensitization or concomitant sensitization may have accounted for the multiple reactions in several employees. One sensitized employee was patch tested with four different commercially available epoxy acrylate oligomers and reacted only to two, suggesting that variations possibly in chain length between these oligomers are important variables in the allergic reactions. The polyfunctional acrylic monomers and certain epoxy acrylate oligomers should be handled carefully to avoid the development of allergic contact dermatitis.

Mortality of a cohort exposed to chrysotile asbestos.

Abstract: A 30-year historical cohort mortality study was made of 264 men hired during 1935-45 who worked in a chrysotile asbestos products factory for one year or more and were alive January 1, 1945. Follow-up was 94% complete. The overall standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was only 0.61 while the SMR for all cancers was 0.75, for lung cancer 0.93, and for gastrointestinal cancer 1.05. Two men died of asbestosis. The overall SMR was higher for men who worked five years or more than for men who worked one to four years but the 30-year mortality rates were the same after age adjustment. For asbestos-related diseases the differences in work duration had no effect on mortality. The data show a favorable mortality experience for men exposed to chrysotile alone.

Pulmonary problems associated with the use of polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: The experience of a group of nine men employed in a manufacturing plant, who developed attacks of illness during the course of working with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), is reported. The cause was presumed to be the inhalation of fumes from PTFE-contaminated cigarettes. Eight of the nine employees reported chest pain, shortness of breath, and cough. One had documented pulmonary edema. In view of the potential seriousness of the respiratory complications reported by use and by others we raise the question whether "polymerfume fever" is an adequate or appropriate term to apply to the human inhalation reaction to pyrolysis products of PTFE. Under some conditions of PTFE use, special precautions need to be taken, in addition to those usually recommended, to prevent exposure of to this substance.

Occupational habituation to aliphatic nitrates and the withdrawal hazards of coronary disease and hypertension.

Abstract: The symptoms of acute aliphatic nitrate toxicity are the same whether the exposure was to excess clinical medication or to percutaneous absorption during manufacture or packaging. In industrial exposures there is good evidence of chronic toxicity, with hazards of (a) increased risk of coronary pain and sudden death after withdrawal, and (b) increased risk of sustained hypertension in predisposed persons. On this basis we must suspect that certain types of therapy with aliphatic nitrate drugs might aggravate the course of coronary heart disease or hypertension. Should not these drugs be removed from the market until their long-term safety has been proved? Industrial experience with these chemicals has been incompletely reported, and more data are needed.

Racial stratification of organochlorine insecticide residues in human adipose tissue.

Abstract: The racial stratification of residues of total DDT equivalent, heptachlor epoxide, oxychlordane, dieldrin, beta-benzene hexachloride and lindane in human adipose tissue was studied. Samples of human adipose tissue were obtained from locations selected in the contiguous United States according to a stratified, proportionate-random survey design and chemically analyzed for selected organochlorine pesticides. The most marked case of racial difference in residue level was total DDT equivalent. Samples from Negros contained almost twice as much of this chemical as did samples from Caucasians. Racial stratification also was found in the frequency of lindane. Lindane was detected about twice as often in samples from Negros than in samples from Caucasians. Little racial differences were noted for residues of beta-benzene hexachloride, heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin and oxychlordane.

Mortality of workers exposed to chloroprene.

Abstract: A study was undertaken to determine whether exposure to chloroprene increases the risk of lung cancer. Data were obtained from historical prospective mortality studies of two cohorts, one consisting of 270 men first exposed between 1931 and 1948, and the other of 1,576 men first exposed between 1942 and 1957. The number of lung cancer deaths in each cohort (three in the first and 16 in the second) were about the same as expected. Among maintenance mechanics in the second cohort, there were eight lung cancer cases (four living and four dead). A crude morbidity analysis suggested that this group may have had an excess incidence of lung cancer. However, the absence of excess lung cancer mortality in other high exposure occupational groups indicates that chloroprene exposure does not increase the risk of lung cancer.

Human physiological response and adaption to ammonia.

Abstract: Other than anecdoted observations, there are no published reports on the physiological effects of ammonia at concentrations normally encountered industrially or information on whether inurement develops after repeated exposure. Six unacclimated male and female volunteers were exposed six hours per day over a six week period to concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 ppm ammonia in an industrial environment, under strict medical surveillance. Inurement to eye, nose, and throat irritation was demonstrated after two to three weeks in addition to short-term subjective adaption. There were no significant differences between subjects or controls on common biological indicators, in physical examinations, or in performance of normal job duties. After acclimation, continuous exposure to 100 ppm, with occasional excursions to 200 ppm, is easily tolerated and has no observed effect on general health.

Mortality among employees of PVC fabricators.

Abstract: A cross-sectional mortality study of 4,341 deaths occurring among current and former employees of 17 PVC fabricators during 1964-1973 is presented. The objectives are: (1) to identify any angiosarcoma deaths among the employees of these fabricators, and (2) to examine the distribution of deaths by cause. No angiosarcoma deaths were found among the study group. Sex-race-cause-specific Proportionate mortality Ratios (PMR's) were computed, using the corresponding U.S. mortality as the standard. Among white employees, there appears to be an excess in total cancer mortality, particularly that of the digestive system. Observed deaths were found to exceed the expected in cancers of the breast and urinary organs among white females. Deficit mortality was observed in cirrhosis of liver among both male and female white employees.

Chronic occupational exposure to lead: an evaluation of the health of smelter workers.

Abstract: After receiving reports of lead poisoning in two workers at a secondary lead smelter, we evaluated the health status of 38 current smelter workers and 87 of their household contacts by questionnaires, physical examinations, and laboratory tests Fatigue, cough, and diarrhea were the most frequent symptoms in plant employees; each occurred in at least a third The most frequent physical finding, hand tremor, occurred in 10 of 33 plant employees Twelve employees had blood lead concentrations at or above 80 microgram/100 ml, and 17 others had blood lead concentrations at or above 60 microgram/100 ml All physical signs possibly due to excess lead absorption were manifested by employees with blood lead levels of 60 microgram/100 ml or greater, with one exception Household contacts of employees had few symptoms suggestive of excess lead absorption

Mortality by cause among stationary engineers and stationary firemen.

Abstract: Causes of death among 1,113 stationary engineers and firemen identified from union death benefit listings were analyzed to determine if there were conditions occurring with unusual frequency suggestive of exposure to hazards in the work environment. The relative frequencies of specific disease conditions in the study group were compared to the experience of the general population by the method of proportionate mortality. Deaths from cancer of the buccal cavity and pharynx and cancer of the rectum occurred twice as often as expected, each result being statistically significant at the 5% level. Lung cancer deaths were 20% higher than expected overall, and consistently excessive in each of four geographic subdivisions of the United States. Mortality from coronary heart disease was elevated in each region, particularly at ages under 55. No increase in the relative frequency of deaths from nonmalignant respiratory disease was found nor were fatal accidents more frequent than expected. Some of the findings may be important in view of potential exposure to carbon monoxide and several carcinogenic materials for these occupational groups.