Health problems

In any case, I eventually recovered (and so did Jerry), but my immune system must have suffered serious damage, which manifested itself three years later, when I collapsed in my office one day and was found to be bleeding internally from a form of rare stomach cancer, which necessitated major surgery but was fortunately localized. I again recovered and have had no further difficulties since. Whether weakening and knocking out my immune system to overcome the previous problems had any effect is not clear, but it could have been a factor. Despite my health problems I was able to continue my work without much interruption, and the scientific productivity of my group has not... 

Health Problems Associated with the Consumption of Cereals... 

To an experienced operator trained in the handling of industrial chemicals, the dimers present Httle cause for concern in handling or storage. The finished polymer coating presents even less of a health problem contact with the reactive monomer is unlikely. In the ancillary operations, such as cleaning or adhesion promotion, the operator must observe suitable precautions. Before using the process chemicals, operators must read and understand the current Material Safety Data Sheets, which are available from the manufacturers. 

SAN resins themselves appear to pose few health problems in that they have been approved by the EDA for beverage botde use (149). The main concern is that of toxic residuals, eg, acrylonitrile, styrene, or other polymerization components such as emulsifiers, stabilizers, or solvents. Each component must be treated individually for toxic effects and safe exposure level. 

Massive studies of the health problems associated with fats have included the Anti-Coronary Club study in New York City (2), the Framingham study (3) in Massachusetts, and the Chicago study (4). These studies were financed by the United States federal government and supported by the Surgeon General s office, which issued a statement recommending that the fat component of the diet be reduced from an estimated 40% of calories to 30% (5). 

Another factor potentially affecting the market for halogenated fire retardants is the waste disposal of plastics (see Wastes, industrial). As landfiU availabihty declines or becomes less popular, two alternatives are incineration and recycling (qv). The nature of the combustion products from halogenated products requires carefiil constmction and maintenance of incinerators (qv) to avoid damage to the incinerator itself and a pubHc health problem from the exhaust. The ease of recycling used products also has a potential effect on fire retardants. 

It is difficult to define the normal range of iodine intake in humans, and despite efforts to provide iodine supplementation in many geographic areas of the world, endemic iodine deficiency and attendant goiter remain a world health problem (147). Exposure to excess iodine may sometimes lead to the development of thyroid disease. This unusual type of iodide-induced goiter has been found, for example, in 10% of the population of a Japanese island where fishermen and their families consume large quantities of an iodine-rich seaweed and have an iodine intake as high as 200 mg/d (148). 

Health regulations are supervised by county and state health departments. There are no known health problems caused by the mica crystal, however, most iadustrial mica products contain some free siUca particles that can cause siUcosis and some states require employees who work ia mica plants to receive an aimual x-ray. 

Most uranium ore has a low, ca 1 part in 500, uranium content. Milling involves physical and chemical processing of the ore to extract the uranium. The mill tailings, which release gaseous radon-222 [13967-62-9] Ra, half-life 3.82 d, are placed in large piles and covered to prevent a local health problem. 

The pharmacist or physician can report any problems experienced with dmg products and medical devices. In cases where the PDA and/or manufacturer finds that a marketed product constitutes an actual or potential threat to the safety and welfare of the pubhc, that product must be withdrawn from the marketplace, ie, recalled. Several classes of recalls exist, depending on the relative danger that the product exhibits. C/ass I dmgs pose a serious health threat and may require withdrawal at the consumer level C/ass II dmgs pose a possible or potential health problem that usually means withdrawal at the pharmacy or wholesaler levels and C/ass III dmgs may present a remote hazard to health and safety. 

World Health Organization, International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Eelated Health Problems (ICD-10), 10th Rev., World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 1992. 

Vinyhdene chloride is hepatotoxic, but does not appear to be a carcinogen (13—18). Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that the behavior of vinyl chloride and vinyhdene chloride in rats and mice is substantially different (19). No unusual health problems have been observed in workers exposed to vinyhdene chloride monomer over varying periods (20). Because vinyhdene chloride degrades rapidly in the atmosphere, air pollution is not likely to be a problem (21). Worker exposure is the main concern. Sampling techniques for monitoring worker exposure to vinyhdene chloride vapor are being developed (22). 

During the late 1960s and 1970s, the finding of health problems associated with heavy exposure to airborne asbestos fibers led to a strong reduction (or ban) in the use of asbestos fibers for thermal insulation. In most of the current applications, asbestos fibers are contained within a matrix, typically cement or organic resins. 

Safe Exposure Levels. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has adopted workplace exposure limits designed to keep airborne concentrations weU below the levels known to cause health problems (35) including ( ) daUy time-weighted average (TWA) exposure over an eight-hour day is not to exceed beryUium concentrations of 2 lg/m of air and (2) short-term exposure should not exceed beryUium concentrations of 25... 

Cobalt compounds can be classified as relatively nontoxic (33). There have been few health problems associated with workplace exposure to cobalt. The primary workplace problems from cobalt exposure are fibrosis, also known as hard metal disease (34,35), asthma, and dermatitis (36). Finely powdered cobalt can cause siUcosis. There is Htfle evidence to suggest that cobalt is a carcinogen in animals and no epidemiological evidence of carcinogenesis in humans. The LD q (rat) for cobalt powder is 1500 mg/kg. The oral LD q (rat) for cobalt(II) acetate, chloride, nitrate, oxide, and sulfate are 194, 133, 198, 1700, 5000, and 279 mg/kg, respectively the intraperitoneal LD q (rat) for cobalt(III) oxide is 5000 mg/kg (37). 

Several nonoccupational health problems have been traced to cobalt compounds. Cobalt compounds were used as foam stabilizers in many breweries throughout the world in the mid to late 1960s, and over 100 cases of cardiomyopathy, several followed by death, occurred in heavy beer drinkers (38,39). Those affected consumed as much as 6 L/d of beer (qv) and chronic alcoholism and poor diet may well have contributed to this disease. Some patients treated with cobalt(II) chloride for anemia have developed goiters and polycythemia (40). The impact of cobalt on the thyroid gland and blood has been observed (41). 

The exposure level estabUshed by NIOSH for the workplace is 0.1 mg/m (42). ACGIH has recommended a TLV of 0.05 mg/m for cobalt. At the ACGIH worker exposure levels it has been suggested that occupational health problems would not occur (41). 

The use of natural dyes as food colorants evolved over a period spanning thousands of years. During that period, by trial and error, some dyes were found to be safe while others were not. By comparison, the development of synthetic dyes as food colorants has taken place over a comparatively short time. During that period, some synthetic dyes considered safe by existing health standards were used as food colors. Later, with iacreased knowledge, these were found to create health problems and were removed from the marketplace. The manufacture of synthetic dyes for use on foods creates more of a health and environmental problem than natural dyes, but offers greater variety and stabiUty of color (see Dyes, environmental chemistry). 

Neoprene Type TW was shown to have low oral toxicity in rats. The LD q was found to be in excess of 20,000 mg/kg. Human patch tests with Types GN, W, WRT, and WHV showed no skin reactions (169). The FDA status of Du Pont Neoprene polymers is described (172). Although polychloroprene itself has not been shown to have potential health problems, it should be understood that many mbber chemicals that may be used with CR can be dangerous if not handled properly. This is particularly tme of ethylenethiourea curatives and, perhaps, secondary amine precursors often contained in sulfur modified polychloroprene types. Material safety data sheets should be consulted for specific information on products to be handled. 

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