Asbestos and cancer 1934-1965: and what happened thereafter?
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Y Lerman.
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This is the first report in Israel of a cluster of cases of diarrhea associated with the isolation of Escherichia coli O157 in stool samples. E. coli O157:NM (nonmotile), producing verotoxins 1 and 2 was isolated from the stool samples of three infants less than 1 year of age with diarrhea and from a fourth asymptomatic infant staying in the same day-care class in a communal settlement (kibbutz). The clinical presentation included nonbloody diarrhea without other symptoms. Surveillance efforts should be enacted in order to define the relative importance of E. coli O157 infections in Israel.
Infectious hepatitis is endemic to Israel. Large outbreaks of infectious hepatitis were common in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) before 1970, at which time post-exposure prophylaxis with immune serum globulin was introduced. It caused a decrease in the incidence of infectious hepatitis from 10-14/1,000 to 3/1,000. A further reduction in incidence was achieved after 1978 when a policy of pre-exposure prophylaxis was established. The number of yearly outbreaks and cases per outbreak also declined as a result of this policy. Worldwide studies have shown that a policy of pre-exposure prophylaxis and/or post-exposure prophylaxis with immune serum globulin is effective in reducing the incidence of infectious hepatitis. The experience of the IDF is that a combination of both pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis is more efficacious. This policy should be worthwhile in other areas where infectious hepatitis is endemic.
Information on 1,267 Israeli soldiers injured in the administered territories (West Bank and Gaza) between December 1987 and November 1989 as a result of the Palestinian unrest was retrieved by us. The cases were divided according to cause, body location and severity of the injury. Most of the injuries were caused by stones (62%), the head being the primary site of injury (50.3%). Although the majority of injuries were light (92.3%), there was a 1.1% fatality rate. Enforcement of orders requiring troops to use protective gear that is issued to them would reduce the number and severity of the injuries.
The incidence and causes of ocular trauma among Israeli troops serving in the West Bank and Gaza between 1987 and 1989 was investigated. Of the 985 soldiers who were reported injured, 11.3% (111) were reported to have suffered from injuries to the eye. Although most of the soldiers were supplied with some kind of protective gear, only 27% reported that they received eye protection; none used this protection at the time of injury. Fifty-seven percent of the injuries were caused by stones and 38% by flying glass; 14.6% of soldiers suffered bilateral eye injuries. Only 12.1% of those injured wore corrective lenses. Although only 5% were originally reported to have suffered moderate to severe injuries, 38% complained of residual vision impairment. Better eye protection and enforcement of orders to use such gear would reduce the number and severity of ocular injuries.
Malignant pleural mesothelioma of epithelial type developed in a 24 year old woman, 20 years after radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease. This case and a review of published cases indicate that radiation may induce malignant mesothelioma.
Bromochlorodifluoromethane (Halon 1211) is a widely used fire extinguishing agent. Several cases of sudden death in teenagers associated with BCF abuse have been reported. BCF is used as a fire extinguisher in battle tanks. Two young previously healthy male soldiers were accidentally exposed to BCF in a battle tank. The tank driver died, but the gunner survived the event with no medial complications. It is concluded that BCF should be used in confined chambers only after the evacuation of all personnel.
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1. Depression of the respiratory center causing acute respiratory insufficiency is the main cause of death in acute poisoning with organophosphates (OP) 2. Various authors recommend the use of respiratory stimulants as an adjuvant to the usual therapeutic arsenal. 3. This survey of the literature was undertaken in order to explore the theoretical basis for this therapeutic attitude and to critically assess its usefulness. 4. The conclusion of this review is that respiratory stimulants should not be used in the treatment of acute organophosphates' intoxication in human beings.
During a cross sectional medical survey of 2815 insulation workers with 30 years or more from onset of asbestos exposure conducted from 1981 to 1983, a positive history of benign pleural effusion was found in 20 (0.71%). Two or three such episodes had occurred in four of these 20 subjects. The chest x ray abnormalities in these cases were characterised by pleural fibrosis in 19 and diffuse pleural fibrosis with blunting of the corresponding costophrenic angle in 16. In the total group of 2815 insulation workers diffuse pleural fibrosis was found in 142 (5.0%). Thus diffuse pleural fibrosis with blunting of the corresponding costophrenic angle is a frequent residual abnormality after benign pleural effusion. Its impact on pulmonary function can be pronounced.
We studied the prevalence of spirometric changes among asbestos insulation workers to investigate when functional abnormalities appear during the course of asbestos employment and the influence of cigarette smoking. Of 1,249 eligible asbestos insulation workers in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area, 1,117 (89.4%) were examined in the year 1963 to provide baseline pulmonary function status for long-term prospective observation. Forced vital capacity (FVC) was measured in all 1,117 workers and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) in 613 workers (55%). Of 353 workers examined in the first 10 years after onset of exposure, 26 (7.4%) had FVC below 70% of predicted, a prevalence similar to that reported in nonexposed general populations. Prevalence increased with time from onset of exposure. Of the 117 workers examined 40 or more years after onset of exposure, 76 (55%) had FVC below 70% of predicted. A similar trend with time was shown for FEV1 and FEV1/FVC. Cigarette smoking had little influence on the prevalence of pure restrictive impairment. Cigarette smokers and non-cigarette smokers had much the same prevalence (28%) of moderate to severe reduction of FVC while the FEV1/FVC was normal. None of the non-cigarette smokers and five of the cigarette smokers had a predominantly obstructive pattern. One non-cigarette smoker and eight cigarette smokers showed reduction of both FVC and FEV1/FVC, consistent with a mixed ventilatory abnormality. The data demonstrate that asbestos alone without the additional effect of cigarette smoking has no measureable effect on the function of the large airways.
Photographic developing processes employ hazardous chemical substances, many with known adverse effects on the respiratory system. Three cases documenting respiratory symptoms and suggesting small airway abnormalities among photographic developers are reported. Work-related factors which might contribute to these findings, as well as public health implications, are discussed.
All members of a large union were invited to participate in a study of potentially adverse effects of asbestos exposure. Clinical findings among 1,117 workers (90% of those eligible for examination) are presented in this study. Cough was much less common among those without a history of cigarette smoking, although duration from onset of employment did not appreciably affect the prevalence of cough among the smokers. Rhonchi present among nonsmokers were limited in extent, but were marked and diffuse among cigarette smokers. Although dyspnea was as prevalent among nonsmokers as in smokers forty years and more after onset of exposure, it was relatively uncommon and found only among smokers when examined shortly after onset of exposure. Cigarette smoking had less influence on the prevalence of râles among asbestos workers; both smokers and nonsmokers showed this finding when examined 30 years and more after onset of asbestos exposure. Analysis of powerhouse work experience and mask use as possible confounders indicated no difference in prevalence of these characteristics between the smokers and nonsmokers.
A cohort of 1,117 asbestos insulation workers was established in 1963 and has been prospectively followed since then. Chest X-ray abnormalities detected at the initial medical examination, and interpreted according to the International Labour Office Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses are reported in this paper. The prevalence of all radiographic abnormalities (pleural and pulmonary) increased with duration from onset of asbestos exposure. A positive smoking history was associated with a significantly higher prevalence of small irregular opacities indicating interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. Such an association was not found for pleural fibrosis. The possible mechanisms which underlie the effect of smoking on asbestos-induced interstitial fibrosis seem to be of much less importance in the development of pleural fibrosis. Progression of radiographic changes over the 20-year interval 1963-1983 will be separately reported as will the predictive significance of these changes.
An investigation into the problem of the frequency and hazards of lung biopsy in asbestos workers was performed in two ways. The first study was into the frequency of lung biopsy among 2907 long term asbestos insulation workers in 1981-3 and the second was into the frequency of fatal complications of lung biopsy in 168 deaths from asbestosis among 2271 consecutive deaths of asbestos insulation workers 1967-76. Only 25 (0.9%) of the 2907 asbestos insulation workers reported having had either an open lung biopsy, a needle biopsy, or a transbronchial biopsy. Seven (24%) of these men suffered difficulties as a result of the biopsy. Lung biopsies had been performed on 14 of the 168 workers who died of asbestosis. Three (21%) of these 14 patients had died within 30 days of biopsy as a direct result of the procedure. In most cases there is no need for lung biopsy to establish a diagnosis of asbestosis; generally, it may be defined by history of exposure, clinical and radiological findings, and other well established non-invasive diagnostic procedures. Certainly, legal and compensation recommendation for biopsy should be considered with the possibility of death in mind. If biopsy is performed precautions should be taken, including adequate observation in hospital.