The Work of an Occupational Hygiene Service in Environmental Control

Abstract

Industrial hygiene services which cater for industry as a whole face difficulties arising from widely varied industries, their geographical position and the different outlooks of individual firms. The work of the North of England Industrial Health Advisory Service is briefly described. Amongst other problems, it is at present concerned with lead absorption and poisoning in burners in the shipbreaking industry, and skin irritation and pneumoconiosis in antimony process workers. Data are presented showing that excessive amounts of lead in air are present in shipbreaking yards. The Service provides facilities for regular blood and urine tests of burners in the Newcastle area, to help control lead absorption. No solution has yet been found for adequate control of the environment. The fine trioxide of antimony easily escapes into the atmosphere during smelting and may penetrate clothing, and be inhaled. In warm weather especially, irritation of the skin or antimony spots are produced. Antimony pneumoconiosis appears to be symptomless but further observation is required to confirm this. Data are given for antimony in air at the works, which show levels well above the Maximum Allowable Concentration and steps are being taken to reduce the amount of fume. It is emphasized that environmental control is fundamentally a biological problem and that education of industry in the use of Occupational Hygiene Services is essential. It is an advantage to such a Service if it is linked with a University.