ABSTRACT
The International Agency for Research on Cancer RC) has classified wood dust as carcinogenic to humans based on demiological and experimental evidence. Exposure to wood dust may use respiratory and dermal symptoms and diseases. The aim of this work was to estimate occupational exposure to inhalable wood dust adopting the formal procedure described by UNI EN 689/97. The exposure of 23 workers in three different working day was measured. In total, 69 personal air samplings were carried out at five wood working factories. Inhalable fraction of airborne dust was collected on 5 microm pore size, 25 mm diameter PVC filters utilizing the IOM samplers. The quantity of the wood dust was determined with gravimetric method. The results show that about 13% of the exposure values exceed the limit of 5 mg/m3 specified by the Italian Law Decree 66/2000 and about 48% of personal exposures are lower then the limit value. Prevention measures, technological solutions and personal protection equipment should be adopted in order to reduce worker's exposure.
Subject(s)
Air Pollutants/adverse effects , Dust , Occupational Exposure/statistics & numerical data , Wood , Humans , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
A missile embolus, an extremely rare lesion, presents an unusual and challenging problem for the clinician. A case is discussed in which a patient sustained a gunshot wound of the portal vein, and the bullet entered the portal venous system and then lodged in the superior mesenteric vein. The portal vein injury was repaired. The missile then migrated into the right branch of the portal vein and was not extracted. The patient recovered. This appears to be the first reported case of a missile embolus of the portal venous system.
Subject(s)
Embolism/etiology , Portal Vein , Wounds, Gunshot/complications , Adult , Embolism/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Male , Portal Vein/diagnostic imaging , RadiographyABSTRACT
A new technique is described for regional perfusion chemotherapy in the presence of a replaced right hepatic artery. By anastomosis of the replaced right hepatic artery end-to-side to the left hepatic artery, a single implantable pump can be used to perfuse both lobes of the liver. This technique has the advantage of facilitating postoperative follow-up and substantially reducing the cost of the procedure.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion/instrumentation , Hepatic Artery/surgery , Liver Neoplasms/therapy , Humans , Infusions, Intra-Arterial/instrumentation , Liver Neoplasms/secondary , Prostheses and ImplantsABSTRACT
Injection of petroleum distillates is rare. We recently cared for a man with a long history of drug abuse who attempted intravenous injection with gasoline into a right forearm vein in order to "get high." We believe he accomplished an intramuscular and subcutaneous injection of gasoline which resulted in a severe impairment of the right hand and forearm from damage to the right median, ulnar, and radial nerves.
Subject(s)
Forearm/drug effects , Gasoline , Petroleum , Substance-Related Disorders/complications , Adult , Forearm/innervation , Forearm/pathology , Humans , Injections, Intravenous , Ischemia/chemically induced , Ischemia/complications , Male , Muscles/pathology , Necrosis/chemically inducedABSTRACT
A free fall, the unimpeded drop of a body from a known point to a known impaction point, is common in modern society. Death usually results when distance is more than six stories. The following case report describes the circumstances which allowed a young man attempting suicide to survive a 17-storey free fall. Although his impact velocity was estimated to be 72 m.p.h. (uncorrected for air drag), he impacted in a supine position on an automobile trunk lid so that some of the force was dissipated by tires and shock absorbers. Multiple fractures and soft-tissue injuries and a subsequent stress ulcer were successfully treated and the patient has a satisfactory level of physical activity while remaining under psychiatric care 1 year postinjury.
Subject(s)
Suicide, Attempted , Wounds and Injuries/mortality , Adult , Altitude , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
Traumatic forequarter amputation is a rare and devastating injury in which the arm, scapula, clavicle, and pectoral muscles are avulsed from the body by a tremendous force. The case of a man who survived this injury is presented. Replantation at this level has not been successful: treatment recommended consists of control of hemorrhage, wound debridement, ligation of vessels and nerves, coverage of their exposed stumps with muscle, unless excess contamination is present; electrical or cosmetic prostheses can be fitted later.
