Chemical Pneumonia in Workers Extracting Beryllium Oxide1

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Chemical Pneumonia in Workers Extracting Beryllium Oxide1 Commentary and update: Chemical pneumonia in workers extracting beryllium oxide1 Merril Eisenbud, Sc.D. Nearly 1,000 cases of beryllium-related disease have leading to much published information dealing been reported in the United States since the first three with the many ramifications of beryllium disease. cases were reported by VanOrdstrand and his associ- Although similar subject material in the Euro- ates in 1943. In addition to acute chemical pneumoni- pean literature had called attention to the occur- tis, beryllium exposure has also resulted in berylliosis, rence of a disease resembling chemical pneumo- a chronic granulomatous disease. The largest number nitis among workers employed in the extraction of berylliosis cases was reported in the fluorescent 1 lamp industry where beryllium was used in phosphors of beryllium, the reports lacked continuity and until 1949. Other cases occurred due to air pollution the etiologic factors given to explain the disease in the vicinity of beryllium-producing factories and were problematic. The publication in the January exposure of family members to beryllium dust brought 1943 issue of the CLEVELAND CLINIC QUARTERLY home on contaminated work clothes. Many of the pe- culiar epidemiologic features of both the acute and was the first published in the United States and chronic forms of beryllium disease can be explained was followed by publications in other journals, by its sensitizing characteristics. The standards that not only by VanOrdstrand and his associates, but were established for the control of beryllium disease in also by investigators from other parts of the the later 1940s have been remarkably effective and United States and Europe. Interest developed so have now been adopted worldwide. rapidly that the Sixth Saranac Symposium, which Index terms: Beryllium, adverse effects Occu- was held at the Trudeau Foundation in 1947, pational diseases was devoted almost completely to "the beryllium Cleve Clin Q 51:441-447, Summer 1984 problem" and attracted approximately 200 phy- sicians and scientists.2 Beryllium is the lightest of the metals and, with With the opening sentences of a paper written an atomic weight of 9.01, is the top element in more than 40 years ago, H. S. VanOrdstrand, group II of the periodic table. It was discovered Robert Hughes, and Morris G. Carmody raised in 1797 and given the name "glucinum" because the curtain on a new medical drama that would of the sweet taste of some of its salts. Until attract the attention of occupational disease spe- recently, beryllium was obtained from the min- cialists for decades to come. As this drama un- eral beryl, a beryllium aluminum silicate, of folded, the Cleveland Clinic became a worldwide which the gems aquamarine and emerald are center for clinical consultation and research, varieties. During the past decade, bertrandite, a silicate mineral, has also become an important source for this element. 1 From the Laboratory for Environmental Studies, New York Beryllium has proved to be useful in science University Medical Center, Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York. sb and industry. Its most widespread use is as a copper alloy, containing about 2.5% beryllium, 0009-8787/84/02/0441/07/$2.75/0 which is used for springs and diaphragms. Beryl- lium metal has a number of interesting nuclear Copyright © 1984, The Cleveland Clinic Foun- properties and, because it is practically transpar- dation. 441 Downloaded from www.ccjm.org on September 24, 2021. For personal use only. All other uses require permission. 2*442 Cleveland Clinic Quarterly Vol. 51, No. 2 ent to x rays, is widely used for x-ray-tube win- the authors called "delayed chemical pneumoni- dows. Neutron sources can be produced from tis," were known. They noted that "the distinctive capsules containing mixtures of beryllium and feature that separates the present group [of cases] alpha-emitting radionuclides such as radium 226 from previous reports in the literature is the usual or polonium 210. The metal can also be used to delay in onset following common exposure—and moderate or reflect neutrons and, for these rea- progression of the disease in spite of change in sons, has found limited application in certain environment." By this time, although the Hardy types of nuclear reactors. It has a high melting and Tabershaw paper was the only report of the point (1,285° C) and also has useful structural chronic form of beryllium disease, now generally properties that have led to its use in the aerospace known as "berylliosis," a number of other reports industry. Additionally, beryllium oxide has ex- of acute chemical pneumonitis had been reported cellent refractory properties. among beryllium workers in Pennsylvania, New During the early 1940s, when the first cases of Jersey, and Ohio. The Pennsylvania cases, which beryllium disease were reported, one of the most were described by the State's Director of Indus- important uses of this element was as a compo- trial Hygiene and which, like the first of the nent of fluorescent lamp phosphors. This use was VanOrdstrand cases, also occurred among work- discontinued in 1949 because of the toxicity of ers in a beryllium extraction plant, were believed the phosphors. by the authors to be due to the acid radicals The three cases of acute chemical pneumonitis associated with beryllium rather than to the be- 5 that were reported by VanOrdstrand et al in ryllium ion itself. This was not an unreasonable 1943 proved to be only a glimpse of a widespread position to take at the time because the early problem that was not fully understood for many European cases had been attributed to fluoride years. At about the same time, two women com- salts of beryllium. Moreover, a 1943 report on plaining of severe and disabling dyspnea were the toxicity of beryllium oxide in the rat, pub- admitted to a tuberculosis sanitarium in Massa- lished by the U.S. Public Health Service, had not 6 chusetts. An initial diagnosis of miliary tubercu- considered that compound to be toxic. losis was discarded after about two months of Even as late as 1946, people had difficulty study in lieu of a new diagnosis: pulmonary sar- accepting the fact that beryllium was harmful. coidosis. The fact that the two women worked in An element situated with magnesium and calcium the same building of a plant manufacturing flu- in group II of the periodic table was not expected orescent lamps did not appear particularly im- to be toxic. Some specialists continued to believe portant at the time. A postmortem examination that the acute conditions were caused by the of one patient seemed to confirm a diagnosis of anions with which beryllium was associated, and Boeck's sarcoid. As pointed out by Shipman3 in one prominent pathologist, LeRoy Gardner, who an early review of the history of beryllium dis- was a specialist in the etiology of the pneumocon- ease, the matter would have been concluded then ioses, even proposed that the chronic disease had not a third patient been admitted to the same might be due to some infectious organism that sanitarium with an identical history. A fourth somehow thrived in an environment that con- and fifth patient were soon treated, and upon tained beryllium.7 Moreover, general acceptance investigation, the Division of Occupational Hy- of the element's toxicity was made more difficult giene of the Massachusetts Department of Labor by the unusual clinical and epidemiologic fea- and Industries reported that the only unusual tures of the cases that were being reported. material used in the fluorescent lamp manufac- The etiology of new industrial diseases is gen- turing process was a compound of beryllium—a erally elucidated by epidemiologic studies that metal about which little was known. Thus, at the provide an understanding of the clinical and en- same time that the VanOrdstrand group was vironmental factors involved. One essential re- reporting the occurrence of acute chemical pneu- quirement for environmental studies is tech- monitis among beryllium workers, the Massachu- niques to sample the air in the workroom atmo- setts investigators were reporting a chronic de- sphere to establish the relationships between the bilitating sarcoid-like lung disease among work- degree of exposure and the observed effects. ers who were also exposed to this metal. After 1947, methods for the analysis of the trace When the first report of the Massachusetts amounts of beryllium in air samples had been cases was published by Hardy and Tabershaw4 in developed, and the Atomic Energy Commission September 1946, 17 cases of this disease, which then sponsored epidemiologic and environmen- Downloaded from www.ccjm.org on September 24, 2021. For personal use only. All other uses require permission. Summer 1984 Commentary 443 tal studies which led quickly to the gaining of mendation was borne out by the fact that 53 cases information needed to control the disease. of acute pneumonitis were reported in 1947; 28 in 1948; and only one in 1949. Fifteen cases were The acute disease noted between 1950 and 1968, all in beryllium The first three cases described by the Cleve- extraction plants.9 Most cases were associated land Clinic physicians involved workers from the with accidental massive releases during the start- Clifton Products Company, a small beryllium re- up of new plants. No instance of the disease has finery in Painesville, Ohio; these cases were fol- been reported since 1968, and no fatalities have lowed by additional ones involving patients both been recorded since 1947. from that plant and the Brush Beryllium Com- Here, it should be noted that the recom- pany plant in Lorain, Ohio, which used a differ- mended standard applied only to peak levels of ent extraction process. Cases from the Pennsyl- exposure. Establishment of a maximum allowable vania refinery, as noted previously, and from a daily average exposure also seemed necessary to plant that manufactured the phosphors used in control the chronic disease, but the prevalence fluorescent lamps were also reported.
Recommended publications
  • Differential Diagnosis of Granulomatous Lung Disease: Clues and Pitfalls
    SERIES PATHOLOGY FOR THE CLINICIAN Differential diagnosis of granulomatous lung disease: clues and pitfalls Shinichiro Ohshimo1, Josune Guzman2, Ulrich Costabel3 and Francesco Bonella3 Number 4 in the Series “Pathology for the clinician” Edited by Peter Dorfmüller and Alberto Cavazza Affiliations: 1Dept of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan. 2General and Experimental Pathology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany. 3Interstitial and Rare Lung Disease Unit, Ruhrlandklinik, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany. Correspondence: Francesco Bonella, Interstitial and Rare Lung Disease Unit, Ruhrlandklinik, University of Duisburg-Essen, Tueschener Weg 40, 45239 Essen, Germany. E-mail: [email protected] @ERSpublications A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for the accurate differential diagnosis of granulomatous lung diseases http://ow.ly/FxsP30cebtf Cite this article as: Ohshimo S, Guzman J, Costabel U, et al. Differential diagnosis of granulomatous lung disease: clues and pitfalls. Eur Respir Rev 2017; 26: 170012 [https://doi.org/10.1183/16000617.0012-2017]. ABSTRACT Granulomatous lung diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders that have a wide spectrum of pathologies with variable clinical manifestations and outcomes. Precise clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, pulmonary function testing, radiological imaging including high-resolution computed tomography and often histopathological assessment contribute to make
    [Show full text]
  • BERYLLIUM DISEASE by I
    Postgrad Med J: first published as 10.1136/pgmj.34.391.262 on 1 May 1958. Downloaded from 262 BERYLLIUM DISEASE By I. B. SNEDDON, M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.P. Consultant Dermatologist, Rupert Hallam Department of Dermatology, Sheffield It is opportune in a symposium on sarcoidosis monary berylliosis which fulfilled the most to discuss beryllium disease because it mimics so stringent diagnostic criteria. closely the naturally occurring Boecks sarcoid and A beryllium case registry set up at the Massa- yet carries a far graver prognosis. chusetts General Hospital by Dr. Harriet Hardy Beryllium was first reported to possess toxic had collected by 1956 309 examples of the disease, properties by Weber and Englehardt (I933) in of whom 84 had died. The constant finding of Germany. They described bronchitis and acute beryllium in autopsy material from the fatal cases respiratory disease in workers extracting beryllium had proved beyond doubt the association between from ore. Similar observations were made by the granulomatous reaction and the metal. Marradi Fabroni (I935) in Italy and Gelman It is difficult to reconcile the paucity of accounts (I936) in Russia. Further reports came from of beryllium disease in this country with the large Germany in I942 where beryllium poisoning was amount of beryllium compounds which have been recognized as a compensatable disease. Towards used in the last ten The in the end of World War II the production and use years. only reports the medical literature are those of Agate (I948),copyright. of beryllium salts increased greatly in the United Sneddon (i955), and Rogers (1957), but several States, and in 1943 Van Ordstrand et al.
    [Show full text]
  • European Respiratory Society Classification of the Idiopathic
    This copy is for personal use only. To order printed copies, contact [email protected] 1849 CHEST IMAGING American Thoracic Society– European Respiratory Society Classification of the Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias: Advances in Knowledge since 20021 Nicola Sverzellati, MD, PhD David A. Lynch, MB In the updated American Thoracic Society–European Respira- David M. Hansell, MD, FRCP, FRCR tory Society classification of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias Takeshi Johkoh, MD, PhD (IIPs), the major entities have been preserved and grouped into Talmadge E. King, Jr, MD (a) “chronic fibrosing IIPs” (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and id- William D. Travis, MD iopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia), (b) “smoking-related IIPs” (respiratory bronchiolitis–associated interstitial lung disease Abbreviations: H-E = hematoxylin-eosin, and desquamative interstitial pneumonia), (c) “acute or subacute IIP = idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, IPF = IIPs” (cryptogenic organizing pneumonia and acute interstitial idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, NSIP = nonspe- cific interstitial pneumonia, RB-ILD = respi- pneumonia), and (d) “rare IIPs” (lymphoid interstitial pneumonia ratory bronchiolitis–associated interstitial lung and idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis). Furthermore, it disease, UIP = usual interstitial pneumonia has been acknowledged that a final diagnosis is not always achiev- RadioGraphics 2015; 35:1849–1872 able, and the category “unclassifiable IIP” has been proposed. The Published online 10.1148/rg.2015140334 diagnostic interpretation of
    [Show full text]
  • Occupational Lung Disease - American Lung Association Site
    Lung Disease Data at a Glance: Occupational Lung Disease - American Lung Association site Sick Building Syndrome Racial Disparity Prevention: Monitor Safety and Recognize Breathing Hazards Changing the Face of Occupational Lung Disease Research ● Occupational lung disease is the number-one cause of work-related illness in the United States in terms of frequency, severity and preventability. ● Worldwide, about 20 percent to 30 percent of the male and five percent to 20 percent of the female working-age population may have been exposed to agents that cause cancer in the lungs during their working lives. ● Occupational asthma is the most prevalent occupational lung disease in the United States. Approximately 15 percent of asthma cases in the United States are due to occupational exposures. ● The cost of occupational injuries and illnesses in the United States totals more than $170 billion. In 2002, there were about 294,500 newly reported cases of occupational illness in private industry. ● A total of 2,591 work-related respiratory illnesses with days away from work (2.4 per 100,000 workers) occurred in private workplaces in 2000. The highest total for days away from work due to respiratory illnesses was in the manufacturing sector. ● In 2002, African Americans made up 18.8 percent of the 800,000 textile workers. Exposure to dusts generated while processing cotton can cause byssinosis, a chronic condition that results in blocked airways and impaired lung function. Between 1990 and 1999, African-American males had an age-adjusted mortality rate due to byssinosis that was 80 percent greater than White males. ● It is estimated that African Americans accounted for 20.7 percent of the 3.1 million cleaning and building service jobs, which involve exposure to noxious chemicals and biological contaminants.
    [Show full text]
  • Chronic Beryllium Disease
    Chronic Beryllium Disease Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is a disease that primarily affects the lungs, causing inflammation, characteristic scars called granulomas and, in more severe cases, scarring called fibrosis. CBD is immune-mediated, meaning that CBD can develop only in individuals who have developed an immune response or “allergy” to beryllium metal, ceramic or alloy, termed beryllium sensitization (BeS). Beryllium sensitization occurs after a susceptible person breathes beryllium dust or fumes or if beryllium particles penetrate the skin. People are more likely to develop beryllium sensitization and CBD if they are susceptible or when they have (carry) certain genes, such as the HLA-DPB Glu69 gene. How do you develop CBD? It is important to know that no one develops CBD unless they are exposed to beryllium and develop an immune response (BeS) to it. Most people who are exposed to beryllium will not experience health effects. Studies have shown that on average, 1 – 6 percent of exposed workers develop beryllium sensitization, although the rates can be as high as 16 percent among workers with the highest exposures, such as beryllium machinists. Most workers who develop sensitization tend to do so early, but follow-up testing over the years continues to identify sensitization in individuals who were exposed up to 30 years earlier. What is beryllium? Beryllium is a naturally occurring element found in rock and soil in the form of beryl and bertrandite, respectively. Beryllium is lighter than aluminum, yet stiffer than steel. These properties make it useful in many industrial applications. While beryllium occurs naturally in soil, rocks and coal, it is because this beryllium is often bound up in solid rock and soil composition that naturally occurring air concentrations are extremely low, even in major urban areas.
    [Show full text]
  • Pneumoconioses
    Review Article Pneumoconioses Vinaya S. Karkhanis and J.M. Joshi Department of Pulmonary Medicine, T. N. Medical College and B.Y.L. Nair Hospital, Mumbai, India ABSTRACT Occupational lung diseases are caused or made worse by exposure to harmful substances in the work-place. “Pneumoconiosis” is the term used for the diseases associated with inhalation of mineral dusts. While many of these broad- spectrum substances may be encountered in the general environment, many occur in the work-place for greater amounts as a result of industrial processes; therefore, a range of lung reactions may occur as a result of work-place exposure. Physicians in metropolitan cities are likely to encounter pneumoconiosis for two reasons: (i) patients coming to seek medical help from geographic areas where pneumoconiosis is common, and (ii) pneumoconiosis caused by unregulated small-scale industries that are housed in poorly ventilated sheds within the city. A sound knowledge about the various pneumoconioses and a high index of suspicion are necessary in order to make a diagnosis. Identifying the disease is important not only for treatment of the individual case but also to recognise and prevent similar disease in co-workers. [Indian J Chest Dis Allied Sci 2013;55:25-34] Key words: Pneumoconiosis, Occupation, Fibrosis. INTRODUCTION without such a reaction. Silicosis, coal worker pneumoconiosis, asbestosis, berylliosis and talcosis History of mining goes far back to pre-historic times are examples of fibrotic pneumoconiosis. Siderosis, as far back as ancient Greece and Rome, when men stannosis and baritosis are non-fibrotic forms of mined for salts, flint and ochre.
    [Show full text]
  • ABIM Pulmonary Disease Certification Exam Blueprint
    Pulmonary Disease Certification Examination Blueprint Purpose of the exam The exam is designed to evaluate the knowledge, diagnostic reasoning, and clinical judgment skills expected of the certified pulmonologist in the broad domain of the discipline. The ability to make appropriate diagnostic and management decisions that have important consequences for patients will be assessed. The exam may require recognition of common as well as rare clinical problems for which patients may consult a certified pulmonologist. Exam content Exam content is determined by a pre-established blueprint, or table of specifications. The blueprint is developed by ABIM and is reviewed annually and updated as needed for currency. Trainees, training program directors, and certified practitioners in the discipline are surveyed periodically to provide feedback and inform the blueprinting process. The primary medical content categories of the blueprint are shown below, with the percentage assigned to each for a typical exam: Medical Content Category % of Exam Obstructive Lung Disease 17.5% Critical Care Medicine 15% Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease (DPLD) 10% Sleep Medicine, Neuromuscular and Skeletal 10% Epidemiology 2% Infections 12% Neoplasia 9.5% Pleural Disease 5% Quality, Safety, and Complications 5% Transplantation 2% Vascular Diseases 6% Respiratory Physiology and Pulmonary Symptoms 4% Occupational and Environmental Diseases 2% 100% Exam questions in the content areas above may also address clinical topics in general internal medicine that are relevant to
    [Show full text]
  • Berylliosis As an Auto-Immune Disorder ANDREW L
    ANNALS OF CLINICAL AND LABORATORY SCIENCE, Vol. 6, No. 3 Copyright © 1976, Institute Cor Clinical Science Berylliosis as an Auto-Immune Disorder ANDREW L. REEVES, Ph.D. Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Detroit, MI 48201 ABSTRACT Exposure to compounds of beryllium can cause dermatitis, acute pneumonitis and chronic pulmonary granulomatosis (“berylliosis”) in hu­ mans. These syndromes seem to have an allergic-immunologic component in common. Hypersensitivity to beryllium is of the delayed (cell-mediated) type and can be measured as skin reactivity to patch test; lymphocyte blast transformation; and macrophage migration inhibition. There is good corre­ lation between the results of these tests in exposed populations, but the degree of hypersensitivity is not necessarily a measure of either extent of exposure or severity of berylliosis. In animal experiment, inhalation expo­ sure has suppressed a previously established cutaneous hypersensitivity, and degree of hypersensitivity and degree of berylliosis were in significant inverse correlation. Introduction considerable mortality. It is associated Beryllium is a light metal widely used with inhalation of various, including in­ in fatigue-resistant alloys, nuclear reac­ soluble, beryllium compounds, some­ tors, space vehicle and missile parts, times in very low concentration. Occupa­ electronics and for other specialized pur­ tional as well as “neighborhood” cases poses. Exposure to compounds of beryl­ (the latter having occurred in the general lium has caused dermatitis, acute population living within about a mile pneumonitis and chronic pulmonary from a beryllium plant) are on record; granulomatosis (“berylliosis”) in hu­ they are collected in a “Beryllium Case mans. The dermatitis is of the allergic Registry.” 13 type with edematous lesions following The allergic nature of beryllium skin contact with soluble salts or with lesions was recognized by Curtis,8 who granulomatous ulceration following the developed a patch test.
    [Show full text]
  • Clinical Guideline for the Diagnosis of Beryllium Sensitization and Chronic Beryllium Disease
    WASHINGTON STATE DEPT. OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIES OFFICE OF THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR JULY 2015 CLINICAL GUIDELINE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF BERYLLIUM SENSITIZATION AND CHRONIC BERYLLIUM DISEASE PURPOSE This Guideline provides the clinical diagnostic criteria for beryllium sensitization and chronic beryllium disease (CBD; old term = berylliosis), based on the latest available medical literature and consultation with leading experts in the field. This Guideline does not address exposure prevention, workplace safety, or treatment. In addition, this Guideline is not intended to supplant all adjudicative decisions in cases that meet the case definition and which are crucial to the administration of the Washington workers’ compensation system. BACKGROUND Beryllium is a lightweight alkaline metal occurring naturally in soils and in coal; [1] it is processed into metals oxides, alloys, and composite materials. [2] It has high strength, light weight, high heat and electrical conductivity, a high melting point, is neutron-moderating and transparent to x-rays, and is non-sparking and non-magnetic.[2-5] Exposure to beryllium usually occurs through the inhalation of beryllium-containing dust, particles, vapor, liquids or fumes, though skin contact can also manifest as dermatitis and ulcerations with poor wound healing. [1] Chronic disease is due to a cell-mediated sensitization response.[2, 6, 7] There is currently no vaccine or post-exposure prophylaxis for beryllium exposure. ESTABLISHING WORK-RELATEDNESS Beryllium sensitization and chronic beryllium disease as an industrial injury: An injury is defined as “a sudden and tangible happening, of a traumatic nature, producing an immediate or prompt result, and occurring from without, and such physical conditions as result therefrom.” The only requirement for establishing work-relatedness for an injury is that it occur “in the course of employment.” For example, exposure to beryllium may be an acute, traumatic episode at work, such as a puncture wound from beryllium metal.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Smith Seminars Online Continuing Education AARC-Approved For
    Smith Seminars Online Continuing Education AARC-Approved for 2 CRCE Air Pollution Effects on the Lungs Objectives Identify how pollution affects health and welfare Be familiar with tools to help the patient decrease the effects of air pollution Become aware of the impact of environmental pulmonary diseases due to exposure to air pollution. Learn the current diagnosis and treatment for inhalation pulmonary diseases due to exposure to air pollution. Exposure to air pollution is associated with numerous effects on human health, including pulmonary, cardiac, vascular, and neurological impairments. The health effects vary greatly from person to person. High-risk groups such as the elderly, infants, pregnant women, and sufferers from chronic heart and lung diseases are more susceptible to air pollution. Children are at greater risk because they are generally more active outdoors and their lungs are still developing. Exposure to air pollution can cause both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) health effects. Acute effects are usually immediate and often reversible when exposure to the pollutant ends. Some acute health effects include eye irritation, headaches, and nausea. Chronic effects are usually not immediate and tend not to be reversible when exposure to the pollutant ends. Some chronic health effects include decreased lung capacity and lung cancer resulting from long-term exposure to toxic air pollutants. The scientific techniques for assessing health impacts of air pollution include air pollutant monitoring, exposure assessment, dosimetry, toxicology, and epidemiology. Although in humans pollutants can affect the skin, eyes and other body systems, they affect primarily the respiratory system. Air is breathed in through the nose, which acts as the primary filtering system of the body.
    [Show full text]
  • Current Challenges in Pharmacovigilance: Pragmatic Approches
    CIOMS Current Challenges in Pharmacovigilance: Pragmatic Approches CIOMS Current CIOMS publications may be obtained directly from CIOMS, c/o World Health Organization, Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Current Challenges Switzerland or by e-mail to [email protected] in Pharmacovigilance: Both CIOMS and WHO publications are distributed by the World Health Organization, Marketing and Dissemination, Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland and are available Pragmatic Approaches from booksellers through the network of WHO sales agents. A list of these agents may be obtained from WHO by writing to the above address. Report of CIOMS Working Group V Price: CHF 30.– GenevaGeneva 20012005 GGroup5_Pharmacovigilance-cov.inddroup5_Pharmacovigilance-cov.indd 1 99.8.2007.8.2007 110:08:520:08:52 Current Challenges in Pharmacovigilance: Pragmatic Approaches Report of CIOMS Working Group V Geneva 2001 Copyright # 2001 by the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) ISBN 92 9036 074 7 Printed in Switzerland Acknowledgements he Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences is T grateful to the members of CIOMS Working Group V, on Current Challenges in Pharmacovigilance: Pragmatic Approaches, and to the drug regulatory authorities, pharmaceutical companies and other organizations represented, for their patience and hard work in bringing this project to its successful conclusion. Special thanks are due to the co-chairs, Drs. Murray Lumpkin and Win Castle, for their capable leadership, to Ms. Susan Roden, the secretary of the group, and to the editorial committee comprised of Drs. Lumpkin and Castle along with Dr. Arnold J. Gordon and Dr. Hugh Tilson. We wish to express our special thanks to Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Pulmonary and Hepatic Granulomatous Disorders Due to the Inhalation of Cement and Mica Dusts
    Thorax: first published as 10.1136/thx.33.2.219 on 1 April 1978. Downloaded from Thorax, 1978, 33, 219-227 Pulmonary and hepatic granulomatous disorders due to the inhalation of cement and mica dusts J. CORTEZ PIMENTEL AND A. PEIXOTO MENEZES' From the Department of Pathology of Sanatorio D. Carlos I and Institute of Pathology, University of Lisbon, Faculty of Medicine, Lisbon, Portugal Cortez Pimentel, J., and Peixoto Menezes, A. (1978). Thorax, 33, 219-227. Pulmonary and hepatic granulomatous disorders due to the inhalation of cement and mica dusts. Hepatic and pulmonary granulomas were recognised in two workers exposed respectively to Portland cement and to muscovite dusts. The pulmonary lesions in the patient exposed to cement consisted of histiocytic granulomas and irregular fibrohyaline scars, and in the patient exposed to mica of a diffuse thickening of all interalveolar septa due to new formation of reticulin and collagen fibres and proliferation of fibroblasts and histiocytes. In the liver the following pathological findings were observed: focal or diffuse swelling of sinusoidal lining cells, sarcoid-type granulomas, and, in the case of mica exposure, perisinusoidal and portal tract fibrosis. Abundant inclusions of the inhaled material were identified within the pulmonary and hepatic lesions by histochemical and x-ray diffraction techniques. The inhalation of dusts containing silicon is known mental pathogenic effects of cement and mica to produce different kinds of pneumoconiosis. (Lemon and Higgins, 1935; Baetjer, 1947; King http://thorax.bmj.com/ Although free silica is sometimes the only patho- et al., 1947, 1950; Einbrodt and Hentschel, 1966; genic dust inhaled, in most situations there is Tripsa and Rotaru, 1966; Pimentel and Gomes, exposure to silicates (for example, mica, asbestos, 1973).
    [Show full text]