Health hazards of firefighters: Acute pulmonary effects after toxic exposures

Health hazards of firefighters: Acute pulmonary effects after toxic exposures

exposure used in this research is based on the information contained in the computerized accident records prepared by the Michigan Department of State...

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exposure used in this research is based on the information contained in the computerized accident records prepared by the Michigan Department of State Police and maintained by the Michigan Department of Transportation. These records contain the information reported by the investigating officer at the scene of the accident. The results indicate that the accident involvement of elderly drivers is higher than that of other drivers.

The Safety of Older Persons at Intersections. Ezra Hunter, Transportation in an Aging Society: ~rn~T~vi~g ~~~~l~t~ and Sajetg for Older Peswms7 V-2: Te~h~~~~~Papers. Truns~urtati~~ Research Board, Wa~h~~gt~n, LX., 1988,19/k-252, The aim in this paper is to examine the ways in which the use of intersections by older persons, both as pedestrians and as drivers, could be made safer and easier. The paper is in three main sections. In the first, accident statistics for older persons are examined with a focus on intersections. Next, possible improvements in the design and operation of intersections are investigated, The paper concludes with a summary of the major findings and recommendations.

Oecupationai

Safety

Health Hazards of Firefighters: Acute Pulmonary Effects After Toxic Exposures. P: W. Bran&t-Rauj, B. Cowman, L. Fleming Falbn Jr., T. Taranti&, and Cathy Edema, Blotch J~~T~a~ of ~nd~~t~~a~ medicine, 1989,4X 209-211. As part of an environmental monitoring and medical surveillance program to evaluate potential health hazards from firefighting, complete baseline medical examinations were performed on a cohort of 77 fi~~ghters~ During a IO-day study period, 37 follow-up medical examinations were performed after exposure to fire to monitor any significant differences in prefire and postfire physiological indices, including pul140

monary function and blood counts and chemistries. For the group as a whole, no significant differences were found. For individuals not wearing respiratory protective equipment, however, statistically significant postfire decrements in FEVI and PVC were noted. These decrements were consistent with previously shown levels of exposure to pulmonary toxicants in this cohort. These results support the need for more extensive use of respiratory protective equipment by firefighters,

Lung Cancer in the Meat Industry. D. Coggon, P. Pamett, E. C. gizzard, and E! D. Wider, British Jotuna of ~nd~t~~al Medicine, 1989, 46,188-191. Routine statistics of occupational mortality and incidence of cancer have consistently shown high rates of lung cancer in butchers. Possible explanations include infection by carcinogenic papilloma viruses, exposure to polycyclie aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrites in the preservation of meat, or a confounding effect of tobacco. To explore these possibilities, we have examined the mortality of 1,610 men employed at three British companies processing pork, beef, lamb, bacon, and other meat products. The overall death rate was less than in the national population (271 deaths observed, 310 expected) but there was an excess of deaths from cancer (87 observed, 80 expected), and in particular from lung cancer (42 observed, 32 expected), The risk of lung cancer was concentrated in subjects exposed to recently slaughtered meat, especially after an interval of 10 or more years. These findings increase suspicions of a risk of lung cancer in butchers, although further information is needed about smoking habits in the meat industry. If there is a hazard infection by a papilloma virus would seem the most likely cause.

~u~a~o~a~ Mortality Among Bartenders and Waiters. Helen garnish- Ward, Richard P Gallagher, John J. Spine&, William J. Threlfall, and Pierre R. Band, Canadian .iolownaEof Safety Research