Traumatic workplace deaths in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 1983 and 1984.

All fatal workplace accidents occurring in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in 1983 and 1984 were investigated for cause of accident, preventability, type of industry, number of employees, and the involvement of alcohol or drugs. Approximately 40% of these accidents were not within the jurisdiction of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and therefore were not reported to or investigated by OSHA. More than 60% of the fatal accidents investigated by OSHA resulted in one or more citations, and all but one accident was judged preventable. Drugs were not found at autopsy in any of the accident victims, and a significant alcohol level was found in only one victim. Nearly 80% of the fatal accidents investigated occurred at locations with fewer than 100 employees.

Experimental assessment of the allergenicity of a psyllium-containing laxative.

The allergenicity of psyllium was investigated using the Guinea Pig Maximation Test. Four of 12 animals gave positive skin reactions. Subsequent inhalation challenge of the same animals yielded respiratory hypersensitivity reactions in four of the animals. Two animals gave both skin and respiratory responses. The mosaic of respiratory and dermatologic symptoms demonstrated by animals resembled the pattern of findings reported in clinical studies. Results of SDS-acrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoblot and protein determinations of aqueous psyllium extracts failed to indicate the presence of protein. Spectrophotometric studies suggested that the extract was a gum with a molecular weight greater than 14,000 daltons.

Workplace allergenicity of a psyllium-containing bulk laxative.

IgE antibodies specific to psyllium were demonstrated by RAST in a patient with work-place-related asthmatic and dermatological reactions. Antibodies were not cross-reactive with the related plant, English plantain.