David H. Garabrant

Exposures to Respirable, AirbornePenicillium from a Contaminated Ventilation System: Clinical, Environmental and Epidemiological Aspects

Symptoms compatible with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) in two of fourteen employees in a clerical office prompted an investigation of their work environment. Forced-air heater-cooler units which had not been properly maintained were implicated when they were found to be grossly contaminated with predominantlyPenicillium molds. Air-sampling for viable, respirable-size particulates in the affected office and an unaffected office in the same building demonstrated a 5O- to 80-fold excess in the number of colony-forming-units per cubic meter of air in the affected office. Persistent alveolitis was documented by repeated bronchoalveolar lavage, gallium scan, and other studies in one affected worker whose peripheral lymphocytes underwent blast transformation in response toPenicillium antigens obtained by air-sampling in the work environment. The other affected worker had asthma, presumably exacerbated by exposures to a variety of inhaled environmental irritants and antigens. Despite a documented reduction of...

Dermatitis from aziridine hardener in printing ink.

13 of 51 workers developed dermatitis of the hands and face after handling a water‐based ink containing a polyfunctional aziridine hardening agent. Improper work practices resulted in skin contamination with the ink and its ingredients. The aziridine hardener contained trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA). The incidence of dermatitis was highest among the ink mixers who handled the undiluted aziridine (6 of 8 workers affected), was lower among printers who handled ink containing 2 to 4% aziridine (7 of 22 workers affected), and was absent in workers who did not handle ink. The mean latency from first contact with the ink to the development of the rash was 3.2 months among the ink mixers, and 6.2 months among the printers.

Quantitative Evaluation of Manicurists Exposure to Methyl, Ethyl and Isobutyl Methacrylate During Production of Synthetic Fingernails

Abstract Manicurist exposure to methyl, ethyl, and isobutyl methacrylate during preparation of artificial fingernails was measured. The 8-hour time-weighted average exposures were 5.3, 7.3, and 1.6 ppm, respectively. The exposures measured during actual intermediate use of the methacrylates were 20.3, 13.4, and 6.2 ppm, respectively. Anecdotal information from manicurists revealed complaints of headache, nausea, respiratory distress, and loss of appetite at these levels. Froines, J.R.; Garabrant, D.H.: Quantitative evaluation of manicurists exposure to methyl, ethyl and isobutyl methacrylate during production of synthetic fingernails.

Recommended Library and Electronic Resources for Occupational and Environmental Physicians

ACOEM Publications Committee: Gregg M. Stave, MD, Chairman Paul W. Brandt-Rauf, MD William B. Bunn III, MD Thomas J. Chester, MD Alan L. Engelberg, MD Joseph J. Fanucchi, MD David H. Garabrant, MD Gary N. Greenberg, MD Tee L. Guidotti, MD Alan H. Hall, MD Jeffrey S. Harris, MD Jessica Herzstein, MD Benjamin H. Hoffman, MD Michael G. Holthouser, MD Ronald Leopold, MD Robert K. McLellan, MD Jack Richman, MD Robert B. Swotinsky, MD S ince 1981, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) has published a recommended library in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.This library was published on-line, starting in 1997. Compiled by ACOEM’s Publications Committee, the Library is a selection of suggested texts focusing on the field of occupational medicine and its major subdisciplines. The Committee would like to thank Dr Robert K. McLellan for compiling the Library. This Library clearly identifies a basic core of texts essential for the general practice of occupational and environmental medicine. In addition, certain texts, indicated by an asterisk (*), are considered the best for the first purchase in a subject area. For those physicians new to the field of occupational and environmental medicine, the Library will assist them in creating a core curriculum library in the specialty; experienced occupational and environmental physicians can benefit by updating their library with the more advanced texts. Inclusion in the Library does not signify endorsement by the ACOEM. Recommendations regarding future editions are welcome and should be directed to Marianne Dreger, MA, 1114 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004–4770.