Lungs anthrax exposure

Public health experts base the 60-day recommendation on animal studies of anthrax deaths and spore clearance from the lungs following exposure. For example, one study found traces of spores in monkey lungs 100 days after exposure. Although the exact time of exposure is unknown, one anthrax case in the Sverdlovsk outbreak occurred 43 days after spore release (19). 

Anthrax is initiated by exposure to heat-resistant endospores of B. anthracis (a dormant form of the organism) that can exist in soil or animal products for decades. The spores enter the body through skin abrasions (cutaneous anthrax), the lungs (inhalation anthrax), or the ingestion of contaminated food (gastrointestinal anthrax). After inhalation of the endospores (the most deadly form of the disease) they are absorbed by macrophages, immune sys-... 

Fig. 22-5. This roentgenogram, taken on day 2 of illness, shows the lungs of a 51-year-old laborer with occupational exposure to airborne anthrax spores. Marked mediastinal widening is evident, with a small parenchymal infiltrate. Reprinted from Binford CH, Connor DH, eds. Pathology of Tropical and Extraordinary Diseases. Vol 1. Washington, DC Armed Forces Institute of Pathology 1976 119. AFIP Negative 71-1290-2.

OSHA considers skin diseases as illnesses caused by exposure to chemicals, plants, or other hazardous substances. OSHA dehnes respiratory conditions or illnesses as breathing-related problems associated with pneumonitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, farmer s lung, beryllium disease, tuberculosis, occupational asthma, reactive airways dysfunction syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypersensitivity. Examples can include heatstroke, hypothermia, decompression sickness, effects of ionizing radiation, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, anthrax, and bloodbome pathogen diseases. 

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