A mortality survey of men engaged in the manufacture of organic dyes.

The mortality experience of 342 employees assigned to three aromatic amine-based dye production areas was examined in relation to duration of employment and interval since entry into these areas. No deaths due to bladder cancer were observed, and no statistically significant increases in mortality by work area or duration of exposure within work area were found, based on comparison with the mortality experience of the U.S. white male population. There were incidental findings of more digestive malignancies than expected in one production area, and more digestive and respiratory malignancies than expected in a second area; none of these were statistically significant. Because the digestive malignancies were not site-specific, and because similarities in specific job assignments were lacking for both digestive and respiratory malignancies, it is unlikely that these findings were work related. Nonetheless, in subsequent assessments of the present cohort and other populations exposed to similar materials an effort should be made to evaluate the occurrence of digestive and respiratory malignancies.

Mortality experience of 161 employees exposed to ethylene dibromide in two production units.

Animal studies have indicated the carcinogenic potential of ethylene dibromide (EDB). Examination of the mortality experience of employees exposed to EDB in two production units operated from 1942 to 1969 and from the mid-1920s to 1976, respectively, showed that in the first unit two deaths from malignant neoplasms were observed against 3.6 expected (based on US white male mortality), and in the second unit, where there was potential exposure to various organic bromide products, five deaths from malignant neoplasms (2.2 expected) were observed. Findings of this investigation neither rule out nor establish EDB to be a human carcinogen. Far fewer malignant neoplasms, however, have been observed than might have been expected from a direct extrapolation of data obtained from experiments on animals.

Two methods for establishing industrial hygiene priorities.

There is a need for a method to establish industrial hygiene priorities so that our limited health resources can be directed to those chemicals and conditions of use that pose the greatest risk to employee health. The Health Team hazard rating method presented in this paper accomplishes this goal and has been used successfully for several years. Also presented is a proposed method for calculating hazard ratings for inhalation exposures to gases and vapors that may allow those responsible for promulgating standards to address the hazard rather than the toxicity of a regulated chemical.

Computer handling of occupational exposure data.

A system has been developed for the computer handling of industrial hygiene data in the Michigan Division of Dow Chemical U.S.A. With the implementation of this system, future epidemiological studies might be completed in a few weeks as opposed to months when done menually. The system is capable of providing lists, either current or historical, of the chemicals used in a particular building; and all the available exposure data for specific employees can be obtained throughout their entire periods of employment. The system is also capable of summarizing all available exposure information for a given chemical. The heart of the chemical exposure data system lies in the record content. Each record contains: 1. Chemical identification number; 2. Employee number; 3. Job classification number; 4. Department index number; 5. Data type code; 6. Exposure data; 7. Units code; 8. Date; 9. Building number and 10. Reference. A detailed discussion of each of these parameters is contained in the text.

Criteria for the evaluation of methods for the collection of organic pollutants in air using solid sorbents.

A small tube containing a solid sorbent is convenient to use for collecting and concentrating trace organics in ambient air and worker breathing zones. Many techniques for air sampling with solid sorbents, especially for the long term eight hour sample, are relatively new. It is necessary to have criteria to judge methods utilizing these techniques and to establish guidelines which are accurate and practical. Parameters which affect collection and recovery and information necessary to define, develop and evaluate a sampling method are discussed. Progressive steps for the development and validation of air sampling methods are recommended.

Determinants of mortality in an industrial population.

Many epidemiological problems are encountered in studies of mortality experience in industrial populations. The current study was undertaken to develop background data for a large chemical manufacturing company with emphasis on differentials in mortality associated with preselection factors, socioeconomic status, and general job categories. Statistically significant differences were observed in the industrial cohort with respect to socioeconomic level and job category. Differences between the industrial population and the corresponding US white male population were also noted. Findings of this study suggest additional avenues of investigative work for epidemiologists and clinicians concerned with the well being of employee groups in various industries.

Elevated urinary phenol levels not related to benzene exposure.

Two common over-the-counter medications may elevate urinary phenol to levels exceeding 75 mg/liter (ppm). This study presents data indicating that it is invalid to correct urinary phenol levels to specific gravity of 1.024. Animal studies indicate that having elevated urinary phenol levels secondary to phenyl salicylate ingestion are not harmful.

Linking industrial hygiene and health records.

This report presents methodology used in a large chemical company for linking historical industrial hygiene sampling data and employee health data through the personnel record system. The problems encountered are described to alert investigators to the need for careful planning of systems for linking the three data bases.