Archives of environmental health
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Arch. Environ. Health · Nov 1991
Incidence and causes of carbon monoxide intoxication: results of an epidemiologic survey in a French department.
The purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence, mortality, and causes of carbon monoxide intoxications in France. A survey was conducted in the department of the Hauts-de-Seine, which is representative of the French population. Data were collected through a headquarters that had direct contact with all department emergency organizations and to a technical laboratory. ⋯ For the remaining events, causes were determined as follows for 196: water heaters (57%), boiler (20.5%), coal stove (9%), brazier (4%), cooker (2%), heating device (1.5%), and miscellaneous (6%). The main mechanisms of intoxication were a defective device, poor ventilation, or poor evacuation of combustion gases. Carbon monoxide intoxication occurs frequently in France, and preventive actions are warranted.
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Arch. Environ. Health · May 1991
Dimethylformamide-induced liver damage among synthetic leather workers.
Prevalence of liver injury associated with dimethylformamide (DMF) exposure was determined. Medical examinations, liver function tests, and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) determinations were performed on 183 of 204 (76%) employees of a synthetic leather factory. Air concentrations of solvents were measured with personal samplers and gas chromatography. ⋯ However, an analysis of the CPK isoenzyme among 143 workers did not reveal any specific damage to muscles. This outbreak of liver injury among synthetic leather workers is ascribed to DMF. It is recommended that the occupational standard for DMF and its toxicity among HBsAg carriers be evaluated further.
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Arch. Environ. Health · Nov 1989
Case Reports Comparative StudyAcute arsenic intoxication from environmental arsenic exposure.
Reports of acute arsenic poisoning arising from environmental exposure are rare. Two cases of acute arsenic intoxication resulting from ingestion of contaminated well water are described. ⋯ Although located adjacent to an abandoned mine, the well water had been tested for microorganisms only and was found to be "safe." Regulations for testing of water from private wells for fitness to drink are frequently nonexistent, or only mandate biologic tests for microorganisms. Well water, particularly in areas near mining activity, should be tested for metals.
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Arch. Environ. Health · Mar 1985
Adrenocortical function after acute carbon monoxide exposure in humans.
The effect of acute carbon monoxide (CO) exposure on plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), renin activity (PRA), aldosterone, and cortisol levels was studied in patients approximately 80-90 min after removal from the scene of exposure. Nine patients had carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels below 15%. ⋯ Plasma cortisol and aldosterone levels were appropriate for the levels of ACTH and PRA achieved. We concluded that (a) acute carbon monoxide poisoning leads to elevated plasma corticosteroid levels, and (b) the adrenal gland appears to function normally acutely after exposure to carbon monoxide.
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Arch. Environ. Health · Sep 1984
A re-evaluation of radiological evidence from a study of U.S. strip coal miners.
In 1972, the U. S. Public Health Service examined 1438 workers employed at seven bituminous and one anthracite U. ⋯ Average respirable coal mine dust exposures in the anthracite mine were less than 1 mg/m3 prior to 1975 and, coupled with the radiographic findings, suggest further study of the efficacy of the 2 mg/m3 U. S. Federal surface coal mine dust standard in anthracite coal mines.