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Biomedical subjects

A Zober

Publications and source records attributed to A Zober.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Assessment of past occupational exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin using blood lipid analyses.

Current 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) concentrations were determined in blood samples for 138 persons who had been involved in assessment, clean-up and demolition activities after the 1953 BASF trichlorophenol reactor accident. From these data and detailed descriptions of the circumstances and duration of individual exposure, a regression model was developed for describing the relationships between various exposure situations and TCDD concentration. The model explained 65% of the variability in log (TCDD) concentration. Using half-life assumptions and the regression model parameters we estimated cumulative TCDD concentrations back-calculated to the time of exposure for all 254 members of the accident cohort. The geometric mean cumulative TCDD concentration for all cohort members averaged 137.7 ppt. Estimated cumulative TCDD concentrations correlated well with chloracne severity. The mean TCDD concentrations were 38.4 ppt for the no chloracne subgroup (n = 139), 420.8 ppt for the moderate chloracne subgroup (n = 59) and 1008 ppt for the severe chloracne subgroup (n = 56). The estimation procedure should be helpful in assessing the relationships between various health outcomes and TCDD exposure in this cohort.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1990

Thirty-four-year mortality follow-up of BASF employees exposed to 2,3,7,8-TCDD after the 1953 accident.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD) was formed in an uncontrolled decomposition reaction at BASF Aktiengesellschaft on 17 November 1953. This report presents the findings of a 34-year mortality follow-up study of 247 workers who were partly heavily exposed; 78 thereof had died. We divided these employees into three cohorts based on the amount and reliability of the exposure information. The mortality was compared with the national mortality rates in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and is presented in terms of standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) together with 90% confidence intervals (CI) for different periods of time since the first exposure. In general, the overall mortality of these workers was similar to the rates of the national population. The SMR for all malignant neoplasms based on 23 deaths was 117 (90% CI: 80, 166), suggesting no overall increase in cancer among those employees. When workers with chloracne were examined separately, the SMR for all malignant neoplasms was not significantly elevated overall (SMR 139; 87, 211), but it was for the time period 20 or more years after the first exposure (SMR 201; 122, 315). Results for 22 causes of death as well as additional information on the type of exposure and skin findings are presented and discussed in relation to the current literature. In general, our results do not appear to support a strong association between cancer mortality and TCDD, but they do suggest that some hazard may have been produced.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1984

Intoxication following the inhalation of hydrogen fluoride.

The prognosis for fluoride inhalation is poor, owing to the extreme toxicity of the substance and lack of satisfactory treatment. In the case of massive inhalation, the slow, progressive destruction of the bronchial mucosa and lung tissue will be lethal. Irrespective of the dose, a transient restriction in renal function or acute renal failure will occur. The transient increase in transaminase seems to be caused by several factors. Our cases show that the evaluation of fluoride levels in biological material is difficult, as dietary intake, e.g., in drinking water, may complicate acute or chronic occupational exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Noise--a stress factor in occupational and other environments].

The effects of noise on health can be divided into aural effects and extraaural effects. The following review describes - after some historical remarks - first the physical and technical basis of noise analysis. The definition of "equivalent continuous sound level" (Lm) and "rating sound level" (Lr) is given. Extraaural noise effects mainly come from the environment (traffic noise, construction noise on building sites). One must distinguish physical and vegetative reactions. An important extraaural effect is the disturbance of sleep. The objectivation and quantification of extraaural effects of noise on health is very difficult because there exist a lot of disturbing factors. The most important aural effect of noise on health is the occupational hearing loss. To assess these effects, information about physiology, pathophysiology and clinical indications of noise induced labyrinthine deafness is necessary. As examples results of investigations into the effect of noise on arc welders, professional musicians and building workers are presented. Generation of noise should be minimised by technical methods, exposure to noise by personal protection. The methods for occupational medical check-up of the employment accident insurance fund are specially mentioned. The results of these preventive procedures can be seen in the decreasing numbers of occupational hearing loss.

Audiometry, Pure-Tone↗
PubMed1984

[Nickel and chromium content of selected human organs and body fluids].

Nickel and chromium analyses were performed in lung and kidney as well as in blood and urine samples of 45 autopsies from northern Bavaria area. The analyses were carried out with electrothermal atomic absorption after wet oxidative digestion. Median metal concentrations in blood were 4.5 micrograms Ni/kg resp. 2.8 micrograms Cr/kg, in urine 2.7 micrograms Ni/kg resp. 4.9 micrograms Cr/kg. The calculated values agree with the metal levels given in the new literature. Median metal concentrations in lung tissue were 7.4 micrograms Ni/kg resp. 36.5 micrograms Cr/kg; in the kidneys medians of 13.9 micrograms Ni/kg resp. 9.6 micrograms Cr/kg are found. In the literature only a few values for comparison are given. The metal concentrations in the different samples were not influenced by age or sex.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

[Suicide by phosphorus poisoning (author's transl)].

In central European countries phosphorus poisonings are rare today. A case of a suicidal intoxication with yellow phosphorus was studied. The clinical course showed the typical three stages including a symptom-free period, although death occurred within 50 h from acute toxic damage of the myocardium. The oral ingestion of phosphorus presents an emergency which demands immediate treatment. Prognosis is depending on the amount of phosphorus absorption in the intestine which is expected to be high if the poison is in a liquid vehicle.

Electrocardiography↗