[Cardiovascular effects of prolonged exposure to carbon disulfide].
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
R Lilis
Publications and source records attributed to R Lilis.
[Contributions to the problem of chronic saturnine nephropathy].
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Adult↗
Lead effects among secondary lead smelter workers with blood lead levels below 80 microgram/100 ml.
A subgroup of workers from a secondary lead smelter was defined to include those with blood lead levels not exceeding 80 microgram/100 ml and with no past history of elevated blood lead. Central nervous system symptoms (tiredness, sleeplessness, irritability, headache) were reported by 55% of the group and muscle and joint pain by 39%. Zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels were elevated in 71% of cases. Low hemoglobin levels (less than 14 gm/100 ml) were found in more than a third of the workers. While BUN and creatinine were mostly in the normal range, there was nevertheless a correlation between ZPP and both BUN and creatinine. Reduced nerve-conduction velocities were present in 25% of the group; this was not significantly different from findings in a control group. The data indicate that a blood level of 80 microgram/100 ml is an inappropriate biological guide in the prevention of lead disease.
Adult↗
Effects of low-level lead and arsenic exposure on copper smelter workers.
An analysis of reported symptoms and their relationship with indicators of lead absorption--blood lead (Pb-B) and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP)--and of arsenic absorption--urinary arsenic (As-U)--was undertaken among 680 active copper smelter workers. Lead and arsenic absorption in the copper smelter employees were characterized by the median values of 30.4 micrograms/dl for Pb-B, 41.5 micrograms/dl for ZPP, and 26 micrograms/L for As-U. Blood lead was 40 micrograms/dl or higher in 16.7% of cases, ZPP was 50 micrograms/dl or higher in 31.2%, and urinary arsenic was 50 micrograms/L or higher in 16.4% of currently active copper smelter workers. The number of reported symptoms (from a total of 14 symptoms) increased with ZPP levels; the relationship with Pb-B was less marked. Arsenic contributed relatively little. Mean Pb-B, ZPP, and As-U levels for subjects reporting each of the 14 symptoms were compared with those of subjects who did not report the symptoms. Mean Pb-B was found to differ significantly for one symptom, fatigue. Significant differences in mean ZPP levels were found for fatigue, sleep disturbances, weakness, paresthesia, and joint pain. Prevalence rates for these symptoms rose more markedly with increasing ZPP than with Pb-B levels. The results indicate a relationship between certain CNS and musculo-skeletal symptoms and increased lead absorption in this population. Adherence to exposure standards that preclude undue lead absorption and appropriate biological monitoring including ZPP levels, are necessary to prevent adverse, especially long-term, health effects.
Absorption↗
Neurobehavioral changes among shipyard painters exposed to solvents.
Painters in three shipyards, exposed to a wide variety of solvents, were examined. A short battery of performance tests, a detailed occupational history, and a special questionnaire to assess acute (prenarcotic, transitory) and chronic (persistent) neurologic symptoms was administered. The results of the neurobehavioral performance tests demonstrated decrements in central nervous system function in painters when compared with a control group matched for age, sex, race, and education. The prevalence of reported acute neurological symptoms among painters was increased significantly compared to other occupational groups in the same yards; for chronic, persistent symptoms the difference was not statistically significant. Performance test scores were significantly, negatively correlated with chronic symptoms but not with acute symptoms. No significant correlations between performance test scores and duration of solvent exposure or between symptoms and duration of solvent exposure were observed. The reversibility of such symptoms and of decrements in central nervous system function after cessation of exposure is still uncertain.
Acute Disease↗
Neurotoxic effects of solvent exposure on sewage treatment workers.
Nineteen Sewage Treatment Workers (STWs) exposed to industrial sewage that contained benzene, toluene, and other organic solvents at a primary sewage treatment plant in New York City (Plant A) were examined for evidence of solvent toxicity. Fourteen (74%) complained of central nervous system (CNS) symptoms consistent with solvent exposure, including lightheadedness, fatigue, increased sleep requirement, and headache. The majority of these symptoms resolved with transfer from the plant. Men working less than 1 yr at Plant A were more likely to complain of two or more CNS symptoms than men who were working there longer than 1 yr (p = .055). Objective abnormalities in neurobehavioral testing were found in all 4 men working longer than 9 yr at this plant, but in only 5 of 15 employed there for a shorter period (p = .03). These results are consistent with the known effects of solvent exposure. Occupational health personnel must be aware that STWs can be exposed to solvents and other industrial wastes.
Adult↗
Acute lead poisoning in construction workers: the failure of current protective standards.
Construction workers who use oxyacetylene torches to cut lead-painted metal are at high risk of acute and subacute lead poisoning. Poisoning results from inhalation of submicron-diameter particles of lead fume generated in paint burning. We describe a series of 14 cases of lead poisoning in ironworkers cutting a lead-painted bridge in New York City. Peak blood lead levels ranged from 2.32 to 5.80 mumol/l (48-120 micrograms/dl). Median duration of employment was 4 wk. Two workers required chelation therapy. Personal (breathing zone) exposures to airborne lead ranged from 600 to 4,000 micrograms/m3. Construction workers are specifically exempted from the provisions of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lead standard. The data from this study indicate that such exemption is not warranted. A need exists for improved protection of construction workers against occupational exposure to lead.
Acute Disease↗
Acute arsenic intoxication from environmental arsenic exposure.
Reports of acute arsenic poisoning arising from environmental exposure are rare. Two cases of acute arsenic intoxication resulting from ingestion of contaminated well water are described. These patients experienced a variety of problems: acute gastrointestinal symptoms, central and peripheral neurotoxicity, bone marrow suppression, hepatic toxicity, and mild mucous membrane and cutaneous changes. Although located adjacent to an abandoned mine, the well water had been tested for microorganisms only and was found to be "safe." Regulations for testing of water from private wells for fitness to drink are frequently nonexistent, or only mandate biologic tests for microorganisms. Well water, particularly in areas near mining activity, should be tested for metals.
Acute Disease↗
Radiological abnormalities among sheet-metal workers in the construction industry in the United States and Canada: relationship to asbestos exposure.
We investigated the possible adverse health effects to sheet-metal workers who had past exposure to asbestos. A cross-sectional medical examination of 1,330 workers was conducted during 1986 and 1987 in seven cities in the United States and Canada. A total of 1,016 workers had been employed for at least 35 y in the industry, and the mean duration from onset of asbestos exposure was 39.5 y (SD = 7.41 y). Chest x-ray abnormalities were found in more than half of the group. Pleural fibrosis, the most frequently found abnormality, was present in 47.0% of the cases and was the only abnormality found in 27.8% of cases; parenchymal interstitial fibrosis, found in 33.1% of cases, was the only abnormality found in 16.2% of cases. Radiologic abnormalities increased as duration of exposure increased. A positive smoking history was associated with a higher prevalence of radiologically detectable parenchymal abnormalities, a finding confirmed by us and others. Dyspnea on exertion was graded by a Medical Research Council questionnaire, the examinee's self-assessment, and a more detailed 12-point scale questionnaire. Few persons had marked shortness of breath, and approximately one-third had slight dyspnea. Individuals who had radiologic abnormalities experienced more shortness of breath than did those who had no radiologic abnormalities. Cigarette smoking also resulted in a higher prevalence of dyspnea. The results indicate that during the past, construction sheet-metal workers have been significantly exposed to asbestos on the job. Every effort should be made to minimize the anticipated serious health consequences, and further asbestos exposure for those who continue in this trade should be avoided.
Adult↗
Renal function in chronic lead poisoning.
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Adult↗
Renal function impairment in secondary lead smelter workers: correlations with zinc protoporphyrin and blood lead levels.
Potential kidney function decrement with long-term lead exposure is important in the overall assessment of adverse health effects of lead in industrial workers or other exposed groups. Two clinical field studies of secondary lead smelter workers have shown that a significant proportion of workers had slightly to moderately elevated BUN and creatinine levels; the prevalence was higher in those with longer lead exposure. Since a decrement of kidney function with age has been documented, and, since duration of lead exposure may also be strongly related to age, it was necessary to assess the age dependent renal function decrement in a control (non-lead-exposed) population. BUN and creatinine levels in the lead-exposed workers showed a much more significant correlation with age than that which was found in the non-exposed population; the correlations between the indicators of renal function, BUN and creatinine, and duration of lead exposure remained statistically significant after removing the age-dependent decrement derived from the control population. Moreover, a highly significant correlation between BUN and zinc protoporphyrin levels was found. The results indicate a sizeable and significant decrement in kidney function in the secondary lead smelter workers studied; this effect was found to be lead-induced, by removing its age-dependency.
Aging↗
Zinc protoporphyrin in blood as a biological indicator of chronic lead intoxication.
Traditionally, the diagnosis of lead intoxication has relied upon blood lead and urine lead determinations. However, metabolic changes in the biosynthetic pathway of heme as well as damage in other organ systems may occur at blood lead levels hitherto regarded as "safe." Lead intoxication leads to elevated zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels in the blood which can be measured quickly, inexpensively and conveniently on a drop of unprocessed whole blood by means of a dedicated front face fluorometer, called a hematofluorometer. In the present study, ZPP showed a strong correlation with the lead-in-blood level, as well as with signs and symptoms of lead-related disease. It is concluded that zinc protoporphyrin determination offers a preferred primary screening test for lead-exposed populations.
Humans↗