Sanford W. Horstman

Permeation of Cancer Chemotherapeutic Drugs Through Glove Materials under Static and Flexed Conditions

Abstract Gloves are the most common protective measure against contamination with antineoplastics. However, there is no consensus about which glove material offers the best protection. There are few data on the permeability of gloves to this group of potential carcinogens. All studies have been conducted under static conditions, with no attempt at simulating the flexing and stretching that may be present in the occupational setting. Flexing has been shown to increase the permeability of glove materials to certain chemicals. To investigate the effects of flexing on permeation by antineoplastics, a permeation cell apparatus was modified so that glove materials could be flexed during testing. Surgical latex, exam latex, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gloves were tested with four drugs: cyclophosphamide, doxirubicin, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil. Utilizing radiolabeled compounds and liquid scintillation counting for a direct and sensitive analytical technique, gloves were tested at times representative of o...

Half-Mask Respirator Selection for a Mixed Worker Group

Abstract Air-purifying, half-mask respirators are appropriate for an increasing number of work atmospheres. Due to the great number of human facial variations, no one respirator face piece will fit all workers. This situation is complicated further by the fact that most masks are designed for males. A major problem confronting industry is the growing proportion of women requiring respirators who cannot obtain satisfactory fits. This project was designed to comparatively analyze the protection men and women are afforded by three brands (nine sizes) of commercially available half-mask respirators. Anthropometric (in this case, facial) measurements and quantitative protection factors were obtained from 61 male and 60 female civilian workers. The quantitative fit test results showed that 4.9 percent of men and 5 percent of women did not receive an adequate fit factor when tested with two randomly chosen brands of the three selected brands of half-mask respirators. No statistically different values were found ...

SOLVENT EXPOSURES IN SCREEN PRINTING SHOPS

A comprehensive description of working conditions, exposure patterns for organic solvents, and related health symptoms among workers in ten small screen printing companies located in Seattle, Washington, is presented. Sampling methods included continuous area monitoring, grab sampling, personal sampling, and time study observation. A total of 27 workers were observed and monitored for solvent exposure. Short-term peak exposures were characterized in terms of magnitude, duration and repetition, and their contribution to time weighted average (TWA) exposures were evaluated. A health questionnaire addressing the symptoms potentially attributable to solvents was used to investigate the possible health effects from exposure. Significant differences in the prevalence of headaches, dizziness, intoxication, and dry skin (p < 0.01) were reported among workers who had some solvent exposure compared with the referent group that was not exposed. Exposed workers were also more likely to report fatigue, loss of strength in the arms and hands, difficulty concentrating, sore throat, and a low alcohol tolerance. The study documented highly variable levels of solvent exposures. Screen printing workers in different companies, while performing the same basic tasks, had time weighted average (TWA) exposures ranging from 2% to 100% of the recommended threshold limit value (TLV) for mixtures. Continuous monitoring indicated that high short-term exposures are responsible for the bulk of TWA exposures. Grab samples and continuous monitoring verified that recommended Short Term Exposure Limits (STEL) for individual solvents may be exceeded on a routine basis. Frequent skin contact with solvents was also observed. Health problems in this industry and other small industries using organic solvents may result from these complex patterns of exposure.

A Comparison of Air Sampling Methods for Airborne Silica in the Diatomaceous Earth Industry

Abstract The purpose of this study was to derive empirical quantitative relationships from linear regression equations between standard impinger, total mass, and respirable mass sampling methods for silica dust in the diatomaceous earth industry. Dust from one diatomaceous earth processing plant was sampled simultaneously by all three sampling methods. Two areas within the plant were sampled: one area included only main flux-calcined product; the other included only bag-house flux-calcined product. The baghouse product contains a much higher percentage of small-sized particles than the main product. Results from 61 clusters of the three sampling devices indicate that the particle size distribution of the dust varies with the particle size distribution of the parent product handled in that area. Since the respirable mass method is dependent on the particle size distribution of the dust, separate relationships were derived for main product and baghouse product dust. For bag-house product dust, the relations...

Two methods of testing surgical gloves for perforations: Perceived and unperceived glove perforations during vascular surgery

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate perceived versus unperceived glove perforations during vascular surgery using the FDA water test procedure and a newer more sensitive fluorescent dye technique. The two techniques were also compared to determine the degree of sensitivity of the fluorescent dye technique with the FDA water test. Three hundred five (305) gloves from a vascular surgery team were analyzed post‐surgically for perforations. One hundred fifty‐five (155) sterile surgical latex gloves and 150 non‐sterile latex gloves were collected and evaluated first using the FDA water leakage method then using a fluorescent dye technique. The fluorescent dye technique employs the use of a black light to examine the gloves following the addition of fluorescing dye to the original water in the glove. This technique makes it possible to detect even smaller perforations than detected by the FDA method. The dye technique was more sensitive in detecting perforations than the water technique approved ...