Genotoxic hazards in the rubber industry

(KTE) and unknown (UTE) to the employer, and on total deaths. For the five cohorts examined the suspected bias for the cause of death categories all cancer, respiratory cancer, heart disease, and accidents was generally found to be minimal unless the number of UTE deaths was in excess of 75 % . Furthermore, a strong inverse relationship was observed between the percentage of UTE deaths and the level of agreement between proportional mortality ratios based on KTE deaths and total deaths. In partial support of these findings it was also observed that workers who left the industry in three of the five cohorts subsequently experienced similar overall mortality compared with those who continued employment. The findings should serve as a rough indication of the potential value of estimating disease risks from KTE deaths and serve as a guide for other investigators using limited data.

Genotoxic Hazards in the Rubber Industry. M. Sorsa, K. Falck, and J. M. Paakkanen, Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, April 1983, 9(2), 103-107. The toxicology of chemicals used in the rubber industry is poorly known. In the present investigation an attempt was made to use biological monitoring methods to identify job categories with possible exposure to potentially genotoxic chemicals. Urine samples were collected and analyzed for mutagenic activity by the bacterial fluctuation test. The highest individual mutagenic activities were detected among the workers in the weighing and mixing departments, and some high individual values were found among vulcanizers. Sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and structural chromosome aberrations were also analyzed from samples of peripheral blood. The effect of smoking was clearly associated with significantly increased numbers of SCEs and chromosome aberrations. Among the workers in different job categories, the highest SCE frequencies were found for mixers who smoked. Also nonsmoking cleaners of the mixing department differed significantly from the nonsmoking referents in this respect. However, only the group of nonsmoking 86

weighers showed an increase in the number of chromosome aberrations (p
Research into Equipment for Protection Against Molten-Metal Splash. T. D. Proctor, Journal of Occupational Accidents, 1983, 5/l), 59-74. The Foundries (Protective Footwear and Gaiters) Regulations were introduced in 1971 to reduce the risk of injury to the lower legs and feet of foundrymen. Surveys conducted by Her Majesty’s Factory Inspectorate in 1972 and 1973, after the introduction of the regulations, showed that although there had been a marginal reduction in burns there were serious inadequacies in the design of gaiters. Eighty-eight per cent of the injuries sustained when approved gaiters were being worn were the result of molten metal entering the top of the gaiter and being funnelled down into the footwear. This design shortcoming, together with problems of comfort and fastening efficiency, had resulted in some workers being unwilling, or even refusing, to wear the gaiters. Research was initiated to overcome these difficulties and after extensive field trials a new style of gaiter has been introduced. Other developments have been taking place in the testing of clothing against molten metal and a draft standard test method is described and discussed. Screening for Occupational Exposures and Congenital Malformations: Preliminary Results from a Nationwide Case-Referent Study. K. Kurppa, P. C. Holmberg, and S. Hernberg, Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, April 1983, 9(2), 89-93. Since 1976, the Finnish matched-pair Register of Congenital Malformations has been linked to a special project which screens for lournal of Safety Research