Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to I D Long.
The unique environment of the Kennedy Space Center includes a wide variety of industrial processes culminating in launch and spaceflight. Many are potentially hazardous to the work force and the astronauts. Technology, planning, training, and quality control are utilized to prevent contingencies and expedite response should a contingency occur.
Comprehensive occupational health services are provided to approximately 17,000 workers at the Kennedy Space Center and an additional 6000 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. These areas cover about 120,000 acres encompassing part of the Merritt Island Wild Life Refuge and wetlands which are the habitat of numerous endangered and protected species of wildlife. The services provided at the Kennedy Space Center optimally assure a safe and healthy working environment for the employees engaged in the preparation and launching of this country's Space Shuttle and other important space exploration programs.
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Sickle cell trait is a benign genetic abnormality which has been wrongly projected as a health hazard in aviation. Conflicting reports on the relationship between this trait and flying exist in the literature. Limitations placed on sickle trait individuals unfairly stigmatize large numbers of people, both socially and economically. The imprecise identification of the sickle hemoglobinopathies and unrecognized interactions of other abnormal hemoglobins with hemoglobin S have perpetuated the controversy. There is a tendency to use isolated anecdotal incidents as evidence of increased morbidity in sickle cell trait; however, it has not been documented that hypoxic conditions cause in vivo sickling in pure trait carriers. An analysis of the definitions of the hemoglobinopathies, the molecular basis of hemoglobin S, the interactions of abnormal hemoglobins, and the sickling phenomenon shows both that there is no evidence that the sickle trait is a health hazard and that most of the literature contrary to this finding is invalid.