Paternal occupation and Wilms' tumour in offspring

A case-control study was conducted to test the hypothesis that paternal occupation is a risk factor for Wilms' tumour in offspring. Occupations associated with exposure to lead (Pb) and to hydrocarbons were examined by computing odds ratios, all of which were greater than unity but not by a statistically significant margin. When painters were considered separately, children whose fathers had been so employed were six times more likely to develop Wilms' tumour than children whose fathers had other occupations. Like the results for the Pb and hydrocarbon related occupations, the estimated relative risk associated with painters did not reach statistical significance. Although these data require cautious interpretation because of the relatively small number of subjects, the results reported here are not wholly consistent with the results of the one previous study of paternal occupation and Wilms' tumour in offspring.

Hydrocarbon exposure and glomerulonephritis: evidence from patients' occupations

The occupations, as given in the national public census 1975, of 124 adult patients with non-systemic glomerulonephritis were compared with those of the general population in the catchment area of the hospital. Occupations assumed to be linked with exposure to organic solvents or fuels were commoner among patients than in the general population. The finding supports the idea that such exposure is causal in glomerulonephritis.

Smoke/fumes in the cockpit

During the period 1970-80, there were reported in USAF 89 incidents of smoke/fumes in the cockpit during flight. The origin of the fumes in most cases was organic petroleum derivatives, which caused a multitude of symptoms including CNS dysfunction and mucous membrane irritation. Flight surgeons should be well-read in aerospace toxicology because of the threat to flying safety posed by the many fluids and substances necessary for the operation of today's modern aircraft.

FLIT-MLO and No. 2 fuel oil: effects of aerosol applications to mallard eggs on hatchability and behavior of ducklings

FLIT-MLO and No. 2 fuel oil are sprayed on wetlands for mosquito control during spring and summer. In one experiment to assess the effects of the spraying on birds, mallard eggs were sprayed with amounts of No. 2 fuel oil equivalent to 2.34, 4.67, or 18.70 liters/ha or FLIT-MLO equivalent to 9.35, 46.75, or 140.25 liters/ha on Day 6 of incubation. In a second experiment, mallard eggs were sprayed with 9.35, 46.75, or 140.25 liters/ha of FLIT-MLO on Days 3, 6, 12, or 18 of incubation. Hatchability of eggs sprayed with the highest treatment level of each substance was significantly lower than that of controls for the first experiment. Hatchability of eggs sprayed with FLIT-MLO in the second experiment was never significantly lower than that of controls. Ducklings from the first experiment, 36-48 hr old, were cold stressed for 1 hr at 8 degrees C and then immediately tested for their ability to respond to a fright stimulus. Ducklings from the group of eggs sprayed with 140.25 liters/ha of FLIT-MLO ran a significantly shorter distance from the fright stimulus than did controls. The effects of the heaviest exposure to FLIT-MLO (140.25 liters/ha) on egg hatchability and behavior of newly hatched young are uncertain because of the contradictory results for hatching success in the two experiments. However, normal applications of FLIT-MLO (9.35-46.75 liters/ha) or No. 2 fuel oil (2.34-4.67 liters/ha) do not appear to pose a threat to the embryos of breeding birds.

Use of microstereology and quantitative cytochemistry to determine the effects of crude oil-derived aromatic hydrocarbons on lysosomal structure and function in a marine bivalve mollusc, Mytilus edulis

The marine bivalve mollusc, Mytilus edulis (blue mussel), is a noted accumulator of many environmental pollutants and is increasingly used for the chemical and biological assessment of environmental impact. The toxic effects of crude oil-derived aromatic hydrocarbons (30 micrograms/l total hydrocarbons) of the lysosomal-vacuolar system of the digestive cells have been investigated in cryostat sections of hexane-frozen digestive glands. Exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons reduced the cytochemically determined latency of lysosomal beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase; lysosomal volume density and surface density increased while the numerical density decreased. Experimental exposure resulted in the formation of very large lysosomes which are believed to be largely autophagic in function and these results indicate a significant structural and functional disturbance of digestive cell lysosomes in response to hydrocarbons.

Generalized morphea-like scleroderma occurring in people exposed to organic solvents

Adult patients having systemic scleroderma with generalized morphea-like skin lesions, whom we had examined during the past 7 years, were reexamined because their clinical features were somewhat similar to those of occupational scleroderma described hitherto. Out of 9 patients, 7 patients had been engaged in occupations exposing them to organic solvents for a long time before or after Raynaud’s phenomenon appeared. A skin sclerosis was also induced experimentally with some aliphatic hydrocarbons of organic solvents.

Occupational cancer: experience in Ontario

This paper reviews the experience of the Workmen's Compensation Board of Ontario in identifying cases of cancer that could be attributed to occupational hazards. Worker's claims for compensation are allowed if there is reasonable medical evidence that their cancer was caused by exposure to risk factors associated with their occupation. Details of the types of cancer associated with specific carcinogens or fields of employment are discussed. About 50% of the cases were related to exposure in particular industrial operations that functioned for relatively brief periods. The number of deaths from cancer identified as being caused by occupational factors is compared with the total for cancer from all causes in Ontario during the period 1971 through 1975. Although all workers eligible for compensation may not have been identified, the data suggest that less than 1% of cancer is presently caused by occupational factors.

Unsuccessful suicide by carbon monoxide: a secondary benefit of emissions control

Emission systems and devices are required on automobile engines to reduce air pollution problems. Catalytic converters have been used on most 1975 and newer automobiles to reduce hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions to a value that meets the Environmental Protection Agency requirements established for 1975 and 1976. The 1980-1981 Boise, Idaho, study shows that with a functioning catalytic converter either unmeasurable or sublethal quantities of CO appear in automobile exhaust. Thus, emissions control has produced a secondary benefit in reducing the number of suicides by CO poisoning from automobile exhaust fumes.

Organic solvents and chronic glomerulonephritis: a cross-sectional study with negative findings for aliphatic and alicyclic C5-C7 hydrocarbons

Proteinuria, albuminuria, urinary beta-glucuronidase and serum creatinine were estimated in 182 workers exposed to organic solvents in four shoe factories, as well as 30 workers with past exposure and 80 control subjects. Ambient air concentrations at each workplace were also measured. In most of these samples, the concentration of organic solvents exceeded the ACGIH recommended threshold limit value for the mixture. Total protein excretion was significantly elevated in exposed workers, although none of the workers had abnormal albuminuria or serum creatinine. Four had increased lysozymuria. There was also a simultaneous elevation of beta-glucuronidase. These findings suggest that a mild and presumably reversible tubular lesion, but not glomerular damage, may occur in workers occupationally exposed to C5-C7 hydrocarbon mixtures.

How much more can we do about air pollution?

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[Current aspects of occupational toxic hemopathies]

Recent advances in the field of occupational toxic haemopathies are described. The nosographical classification of these forms is explained, and an account is given of the main organic and inorganic industrial substances responsible for haematological damage, the sources of risk, the known pathogenetic mechanisms, and the main clinical and morphological aspects of the subject. This question is of a certain current interest, not only from the speculative standpoint, but also with regard to the interesting diagnostic and preventive aspects that are and can be derived from such recent advances.

The association between parental occupation and childhood malignancy

A case control study was conducted to test Fabia and Thuy's observation that there was an excess of fathers in hydrocarbon-related occupations among children who died of childhood cancer compared to their controls. The study comprised 692 children who were born and died in Massachusetts for the years 1947-1957, and 1963-1967 and a control group of 1,384. No significant association was found between the four major groups of childhood cancer and the three hydrocarbon-related occupations: (1) mechanics and gas station attendants; (2) machinists; and (3) painters, cleaners, and dyers. However, there were two significant associations: (a) paternal employment as a paper or pulp mill worker was associated with tumors of the brain and other parts of the nervous system (relative odds of 2.8); and (b) paternal employment as a mechanic or machinist was associated with tumors of the urinary tract (relative odds of 2.5). Without strong supporting evidence from other studies, the authors are reluctant to conclude that these associations are causal. A weak association between childhood leukemia-lymphoma are parents' ages was observed.

Genital ulceration due to Stoddard solvent

Five cases of ulcerative and erythematous lesions on the genitals and buttocks which occurred among workers whose coveralls had been dry-cleaned using Stoddard solvent are presented. A typical clinical picture and investigative results were consistent with irritant contact dermatitis. The literature on the two most commonly used dry-cleaning fluids is reviewed. The hazards of dry-cleaning chemicals, both for workers in dry-cleaning shops and for their clients who wear the cleaned clothes, are outlined. Suggestions pertaining to the avoidance of cutaneous reactions are detailed.

[Ureterstenosis after periurethral injection of granugenol oil (author's transl)]

From the example of a patient, who developed a distal ureterstenosis after periurethral injection of granugenol-oil attention is drawn to the dangers of the carrying out sclerotherapy for the control of urinary incontinence. We warn urgently against treatment of incontinence with sleroticising preparations of any sort.