An Introduction to Experimental Aerobiology

Abstract

detailed commentary on the medical supervision of workers.Medical supervision remains essential for it is never certain that benzene is absent from its homologues and aromatic solvents and the homologues, which are suggested as substitutes for benzene, are not in them- selves entirely without local and systemic toxicity and cytotoxicity.The forn of the medical examination is dis- cussed in full, the examination of the peripheral blood for cellular constituents being considered optimal if made at three-monthly intervals.Further indications of occu- pational exposures and their intensities are commented on in respect of (1) the concentrations of benzene and homologues in solvent liquids and gasolines, in the air of the workplace, in the blood and the expired air; (2) the concentrations of phenol and sulphates in the urine; and(3) the activities of certain enzymes in whole blood.An arresting statement is that in the supervision of human exposures, the concentrations of benzene in whole blood should not be allowed to exceed 40zg/1OOml during the working week and 5 ug/100 ml after the weekend, or a 48-hour break.Whether workers would agree with twice-weekly venesections is problematical.Individual and collective measures of protection as well as individual risks and susceptibilities are commented on as well.