ABSTRACT
A 34-year-old chemical manufacturing worker had new onset of work-related asthma after several years of exposure to the fungicide, captafol. On specific bronchial challenge testing, he demonstrated a marked and persistent fall in FEV1. Cessation of exposure resulted in improved symptoms and pulmonary function. The delay in symptoms after several years of workplace exposure and the dual reaction demonstrated on specific bronchial challenge testing suggest sensitization to some component of technical-grade captafol, but an IgE response was not detected.
Subject(s)
Asthma/chemically induced , Captan/analogs & derivatives , Chemical Industry , Fungicides, Industrial/adverse effects , Occupational Diseases/chemically induced , Adult , Bronchial Provocation Tests , Captan/adverse effects , Cyclohexenes , Forced Expiratory Volume/drug effects , Humans , Male , Peak Expiratory Flow Rate/drug effects , Vital Capacity/drug effectsABSTRACT
Following identification of an unusual cluster of cases of malignant melanoma among laboratory employees at this national facility, several studies were done to provide further understanding and solutions to the problem. This paper discusses the Laboratory's response, including the educational campaign and institution of self-examinations. Experience with the melanoma surveillance program to date reinforces its validity.
Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring , Laboratories , Melanoma/diagnosis , Occupational Diseases/diagnosis , California/epidemiology , Epidemiological Monitoring , Humans , Melanoma/epidemiology , Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , Self-Examination , Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis , Skin Neoplasms/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Eight hospital workers with chronic ethylene oxide exposure were age-sex matched with eight nonexposed controls with no significant differences in educational backgrounds and vocabulary scores. The exposed group performed more poorly on all eight measures of cognition, memory, attention, and coordination, with 71.3% less accuracy on the Hand-Eye Coordination Test. There was a dose-response relationship between exposure and the following: Continuous Performance Test and sural velocity. These findings suggest that neurologic dysfunction may result from long-term low-dose exposure to ethylene oxide, and that these effects may occur at exposure levels common in hospital sterilizer operations.
Subject(s)
Ethylene Oxide/adverse effects , Nervous System Diseases/chemically induced , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nervous System Diseases/psychology , Neural Conduction , Personnel, Hospital , PsychometricsABSTRACT
Recent studies suggest that semiconductor workers have an increased incidence of work-related illness. Semiconductor manufacturing is a chemically intensive industry involving many potentially hazardous operations. As this industry moves into new geographic areas, health care professionals will be asked to evaluate medical or workplace conditions associated with unfamiliar and complex production processes. This paper provides an overview of semiconductor manufacturing processes for these health practitioners. Each step of device fabrication is detailed with its attendant chemical and physical hazards. Broader concepts of industrial control technology, clean room ventilation, and ergonomics are explained. The hazards are tabulated to allow rapid assessment of the risks inherent to each processing step. References have been chosen to guide the reader to more indepth information.
Subject(s)
Occupational Diseases/etiology , Semiconductors , Ergonomics , Humans , Oxidation-Reduction , Respiratory Protective Devices , Silicon/adverse effects , Solvents/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Approximately 70 per cent of all poisonings reported to poison control centers will be referred after home or hospital management to the primary care physician. When a patient presents to the physician's office following a poisoning, the care provider must know when hospitalization is needed, what equipment should be available, and where information about the toxin can be obtained.
Subject(s)
Poisoning/therapy , Acute Disease , Adult , Child, Preschool , Chronic Disease , Family Practice , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Poisoning/diagnosis , Prognosis , Time FactorsABSTRACT
We report an unusual complication of oral-gastric lavage in a drug overdose patient. During the lavage procedure, the oral-gastric tube became impacted in the esophagus. Forceful removal of the tube resulted in an esophageal tear. The patient did well with conservative management and was discharged with no long-term sequelae.
Subject(s)
Esophagus/injuries , Gastric Lavage , Intubation, Gastrointestinal/adverse effects , Administration, Oral , Adult , Esophagoscopy , Ethanol , Humans , Male , Substance-Related Disorders/therapyABSTRACT
Toxic gases are among the most dangerous materials used in manufacturing semiconductors and related devices. The storage, handling, and disposal of these gases pose a major hazard to workers and to communities located near high-technology companies. It must be anticipated that accidents, acts of terrorism, and natural calamities will result in exposure. Flammability, corrosiveness, and concentration must be considered, as well as the immediate danger to life and known human health effects of the gases used.
Subject(s)
Air Pollutants, Occupational/toxicity , Arsenicals , Semiconductors , Ammonia/toxicity , Arsenic/toxicity , Borohydrides/toxicity , Humans , Hydrochloric Acid/toxicity , Phosphines/toxicity , Silanes/toxicitySubject(s)
Heroin , Naloxone/therapeutic use , Physostigmine/therapeutic use , Substance-Related Disorders , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
Two patients with acute leukemia were found to have candidal splenic abscesses. Both patients were in remission and had normal granulocyte counts at the time the abscesses became evident. Both patients were treated with splenectomy and antifungal therapy with a definite response. The incidence and treatment of fungal splenic abscesses in leukemia patients is discussed with emphasis on the role of splenectomy.
