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Toxic polyneuropathies in Italy due to leather cement poisoning in shoe industries. A light- and electron-microscopic study.

The peripheral nerve biopsy specimens of 4 cases of toxic polyneruopathies induced by exposure to leather cement in shoe industries were studied. Analysis of the cements used in the manufacturing process proved them to contain n-hexane as a volatile substance. Light- and electron-microscopic examination of nerve biopsies showed segmental swelling of axons due to the accumulation of packed filaments and thinning of the overlying myelin sheath. Neither active nerve fibre degeneration nor regeneration were frequently seen. It has been suggested that features of so-called giant axonal neuropathy are the most common pattern of peripheral nerve degeneration in chronic n-hexane intoxication.

Adolescent↗

Production of materials with alumina and ashes from incineration of chromium tanned leather shavings: environmental and technical aspects.

The leather tannery industry produces a significant amount of solid and hazardous wastes. Chromium-containing wastes like tanned shavings used to be incinerated in order to recover energy. The incineration process generates ashes that must be disposed of. This paper is a report on the results of the evaluation of technological properties and environmental compatibility of products made of alumina and ashes from incinerated chrome tanned shavings. The raw materials, tannery ashes and alumina were mixed together in different proportions. The ceramic bodies were molded using a hydraulic press and fired with a heating rate of 100 K/h until 1400 degrees C for 4 h in a muffle furnace. The ceramic specimens were characterized regarding physical, mechanical and thermal properties. Leaching tests, according to Brazilian, German and Dutch regulations, were performed on ceramic bodies containing different additions of ash. Results show that the ceramic materials produced are acceptable for refractory applications.

Aluminum Oxide↗

Individual susceptibility to hexavalent chromium of workers of shoe, hide, and leather industries. Immunological pattern of HLA-B8, DR3-positive subjects.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to examine the effects of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] on the immunological pattern of shoe, hide, and leather industry workers, moving from the hypothesis that some haplotypes (HLA-B8,DR3) can be important hidden risk cofactors. METHODS: Workplaces of 20 firms were monitored for total and respirable dusts and for total and hexavalent chromium. Cr(VI) on materials was also measured. Assay of chromium levels in blood and urine of 44 serological human leukocytes antigen (HLA)-typed workers (20 exposed, 15 HLA-B8,DR3-negative/5-positive and 24 non-exposed, 18 HLA-B8,DR3-negative/6-positive subjects) was performed by atomic absorption, and lymphocyte subsets (FACS-analysis), mitogen-mediate lympho-proliferation ([3H]thymidine incorporation), cytokine levels (ELISA), natural killer (NK) cytotoxic activity (51Cr-release assay) were determined. RESULTS: The environmental parameter levels are lower than threshold limit value-time-weighted average (TLV-TWA); in the materials, the Cr(VI) values exceeded the levels allowed. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) proliferation and the T-helper1 (TH1) cytokine pattern of subjects chronically exposed were significantly raised; addition in vitro of Cr(VI) further stimulated these parameters and in general the entire TH1 system and NK activity. The TH2 system was unaltered. In the HLA-B8,DR3-positive workers, immunologically "low responders", the addition of Cr(VI) in vitro caused a further reduction of the considered parameters in the exposed subjects with a dramatic deficit of the TH1 system. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate the unsuitability of TLV-TWA as a line of demarcation between safe and dangerous Cr(VI) concentrations and the importance of individual genetic susceptibility for occupational and preventative medicine. In particular, the presence of the HLA-B8,DR3 alleles can represent an important cofactor of immunotoxic susceptibility consequent to chronic low-dose Cr(VI) exposure.

Carcinogens, Environmental↗

"Wash leather scrotum" (scrotal dermatitis): a treatable cause of male infertility.

A group of 16 male patients with infertility had dermatitis of the scrotum and groins giving lichenified oedematous skin; the resulting thickening and loss of rugosity produced a characteristic appearance that we have termed wash leather scrotum. Treatment of the dermatosis resulted in an improvement in sperm count and motility in most patients, and 5 couples produced one or more pregnancies.

Administration, Topical↗

Determination of organochlorine pesticides in skins and leather by gas chromatography.

The simultaneous determination of residues of lindane (gamma-HCH) and 10 other organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in skins and leather was carried out by gas chromatography (GC) with electron-capture detection (ECD). GC with mass spectrometric detection was used to identity confirmation. Samples were extracted with hexane. The extracts were concentrated, and cleaned up on a Florisil column. Dibromooctafluorobiphenyl was added as internal standard. Hide fortifications of 0.5 an d5.0 ppm yielded average lindane recoveries of 98% and 96%, respectively. OCPs was determined in 57 samples of skins purchased from American, European and African countries in 1996-1997. OCPs were not detected in any of the American and European samples. Residues of lindane were found in 56% of African samples.

Animals↗

Membrane treatment by nanofiltration of exhausted vegetable tannin liquors from the leather industry.

A rational use of water in the leather industry is described by applying the criteria of "clean technologies" by means of membrane processes. A nanofiltration (NF) process was used for recovering tannins and water from exhausted baths and reusing them as tanning agents and washings. Results of experiments performed on laboratory and semi-industrial pilot scale plants, operating and fluid-dynamic conditions and mass balance of the NF process are reported and discussed. Chemical and physical analytical values measured on skins treated with the recovered solutions were very similar to those measured on control skins tanned with standard solutions. According to the obtained results, a process scheme is suggested. It permits both to recover water and to increase the tannin/non tannin (T/NT) ratio in the retentate solution, starting from exhausted tanning baths and by using a NF membrane purification/concentration. The final volume reduction factor of tested exhausted baths was 5.25, the increase of T/NT ratio was from 1.1 to 2.3 and the average permeate flux was 12.5l/m(2)h. Advantages are in terms of: reduction of environmental impact (up to 75% of COD reduction of the global effluent), simplification of cleaning-up processes of wastewaters, decrease of disposal costs, saving of chemicals and water.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗

Coverage of Indian leather patents in chemical abstracts

Patent information is increasingly becoming important in the current context of international trade and commerce. The printed version of Chemical Abstracts still continues to be used heavily, and it was evaluated as the source of information on Indian patents using leather patents as a case study. The results of the study are given.

Journal Article↗

Cr(VI) reduction in a chromate-resistant strain of Candida maltosa isolated from the leather industry.

A Cr(VI)-resistant yeast was isolated from tanning liquors from a leather factory in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico. Based on morphological and physiological analyses and the D1/D2 domain sequence of the 26S rDNA, the yeast was identified as Candida maltosa. Resistance of the strain to high Cr(VI) concentrations and its ability to chemically reduce chromium was studied. When compared to the three laboratory yeasts Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Yarrowia lipolytica, the C. maltosa strain was found to tolerate chromate concentrations as high as 100 micro g/ml. In addition to this phenotypic trait, the C. maltosa strain showed ability to reduce Cr(VI). Chromate reduction occurred both in intact cells (grown in culture medium or in soil containing chromate) as well as in cell-free extracts. NADH-dependent chromate reductase activity was found associated with soluble protein and, to a lesser extent, with the membrane fraction.

Candida↗

[Poisoning with leather-impregnation sprays. A retrospective analysis of 224 cases of poisoning].

Annually, there are about 100-200 intoxications in the Federal Republic of Germany caused by inhalation of leather impregnation sprays. The course of these intoxications is moderately severe in 60% and severe in 18% of the cases. The signs and symptoms are characterized by a respiratory distress syndrome which sets in about 15-60 min after spraying and which requires several days of hospitalisation in severe cases. The sprays contain about 7-11 components; their toxicity is not exclusively associated with one substance only. Lower toxicity can be achieved by preparing a basic formulation adjusted to the low-hazard components.

Aerosols↗

[Pulmonary effect of inhaling leather-impregnation sprays (author's transl)].

After inhaling a leather-impregnation spray in a confined space, coughing fits and dyspnoea occurred in a 40-year-old man and an 20-year-old woman, previously in good health. The cardinal symptoms on admission to an emergency ward were of interstitial pulmonary oedema in the X-ray but without increased pulmonary arterial pressure. Administration of corticosteroids both by aerosol and intravenously improved the acute symptoms within a few hours. Two subsequent chest X-rays demonstrated complete healing. The acute symptoms were caused by the impregnation spray producing an alveolitis or toxic lung oedema in both cases. The early topical administration of corticosteroids would appear to be the most important preventive and protective measure.

Adult↗

Effect of MnSO4 on the chromium removal from the leather industry wastewater.

Chromium (VI) is one of the heavy metals in water and wastewater that has the most toxic characteristic. Consequently, it is dangerous for human and environmental health. Various methods are used for removal of the chromium from wastewater, and new methods have been developed in recent years. Recent studies and investigations on the removal of environmental pollution selected methods that were economical, of optimum efficiently and could be carried out easily. In this study, the removal of Cr6+ in the leather industry wastewater is investigated using MnSO4 that was used easily and economically. Experimental studies are performed in two phases. In the first phase, the optimum MnSO4 dose for removal of Cr6+ was determined. In the second phase, the optimum pH was studied. About 96% removal of chromium was launched with 530 mg l(-1) MnSO4 dose at pH value 9 in the wastewater sample.

Animals↗

Exposure to solvents in the shoe and leather goods industries.

The shoe and leather goods industries are two of the main economic sectors in Tuscany. Organic solvents are the most important risk factors responsible for leukaemias and polyneuropathies. Job exposure matrices for solvents have been developed with two different aims: to contribute to the general matrix in different industries involving exposure to solvents and to provide a data source for use by health professionals. The matrices have been constructed on the basis of: scientific literature, notices of chemical compositions of trade products, technical reports collected by local services, the survey of a sample of industries in the province of Florence.

Humans↗

Mutagenic activity of carbon black dyes used in the leather industry.

Seven carbon black pastes used as commercial leather dyes were tested for their mutagenicity in the Salmonella/microsome test (TA98 and TA100 strains). All the samples assayed either directly or after extraction with a 30-min sonication in benzene were devoid of mutagenicity both in the presence and absence of a metabolic activation preparation. After a 48-h extraction with boiling toluene in a Soxhlet apparatus, four samples were mutagenic in TA98 strain in the presence of S9 mix. The activity ranged from 1.3 to 9.6 induced revertants/mg equivalent of extract. A weak direct mutagenic activity in strain TA98 was shown by one extract. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were determined in the toluene extracts by high resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The presence of PAH could explain the mutagenicity of only one sample (8.79 micrograms of total PAH/100 mg equivalents of extract), while low or undetectable levels of PAH were found in the other mutagenic extracts. The mutagenic activity was evident only after a vigorous extraction process, thus a low bioavailability of the mutagens present in these compounds is suggested.

Benzene↗

Allergic contact dermatitis from para-tertiary-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin (PTBP-FR) in athletic tape and leather adhesive.

4 girls with severe allergic contact dermatitis from a brand of athletic tape and a cobbler with allergic contact dermatitis from leather adhesive are presented. Alkylphenol resin with unknown chemical structure had been compounded in both products. One of the girls developed foot dermatitis later from the adhesive used on the inside of new sneakers. By patch testing and chemical analysis of alkylphenol resin and the products, the 5 patients were given a specific diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis from PTBP-FR.

Adhesives↗

Evaluation of Leathers-Awasthi medium for identifying Coccidioides immitis isolates.

Leathers-Awasthi medium (LAM) has been recommended for the definitive identification of Coccidioides immitis isolates recovered from clinical specimens. Studies were undertaken to determine the diagnostic reliability of this medium for identifying fungal cultures. A total of 62 fungi, representing 13 C. immitis isolates and 49 similar pathogenic and saprophytic fungi, were tested in parallel by the LAM and exoantigen tests. All of the 13 C. immitis isolates were positive by the exoantigen test, whereas only 11 were positive on LAM. Of the 49 other fungal isolates, 29 were positive on LAM whereas none was positive by the exoantigen test. LAM does not permit the unequivocal identification of C. immitis isolates.

Antigens, Fungal↗

"Punk" rock can be bad for you: a case of surgical emphysema from a "punk" rocker's leather jacket.

Stab wounds to the thorax are seen in the emergency department (ED) and can be caused by a variety of mechanisms. This case highlights an unusual cause of injury: a leather jacket with spikes on the back of it. This type of jacket is often worn by "punks" as a fashion statement. We report that falling onto such a jacket may result in accidental thoracic injury leading to subcutaneous emphysema. A thorough clinical assessment is mandatory to exclude underlying lung injury or pneumothorax. In patients with subcutaneous emphysema and an otherwise normal chest radiograph, an in hospital observation period of 24 hours to check for any delayed complications is adequate if the patient remains clinically stable.

Adult↗

Relationship between clinical and electromyographic findings and exposure to solvents, in shoe and leather workers.

A very high prevalence of polyneuropathy was observed in shoe and leather workers from the area of Florence. In addition, normal workers showed abnormally low maximal nerve motor conduction velocity. A linear decrease of motor conduction velocity was observed as a function of age and of the length of exposure to solvents. The worker population showed a steeper decrease with age than controls. A higher prevalence of polyneuropathy was observed when the amount of glue used by each worker per day was higher, and when the air volume of the plant was smaller. The subjective symptoms most frequently associated with polyneuropathy were muscle spasms, leg weakness and pain, and arm paresthesiae. Cases of polyneuropathy were more frequent in the workers exposed to solvents and in the older age group. A solvent aetiology of the disease is suggested, and glue substitution and proper hygienic conditions are recommended.

Adhesives↗

N-N-dimethylformamide concentration in environmental and alveolar air in an artificial leather factory.

N-N-Dimethylformamide was determined every hour during the eight hours of the work shift in the alveolar air of eight workers employed in an artificial leather factory and in the breathing zone of the eight workers. The alveolar ventilation of each worker was measured for 10 minutes during the work shift. Alveolar dimethylformamide concentration (Ca) was correlated with the environmental concentration (Ci) in six of the eight workers. The amount of dimethylformamide retained per litre of ventilated air, calculated as the difference (Ci - Ca), was correlated with environmental concentration in seven of the eight workers. Lung uptake of dimethylformamide per minute was correlated with environmental concentration in all eight workers. The ratios between alveolar and environmental concentration (Ca/Ci x 100) and the lung retention of dimethylformamide, calculated by the formula (1 - Ca/Ci) x 100, were 27.8% and 72.2% respectively. They did not show any correlation with environmental concentration, exposure time, or alveolar ventilation.

Air Pollutants↗