We compared urinary levels of the metabolite methyl-5-hydroxy-2-benzimidazole carbamate (5-HBC) among nursery workers exposed to the fungicide benomyl (specifically Benlate 50 DF [DuPont, Wilmington, DE]) and workers not exposed to benomyl. Environmental exposures were quantitated from gloves, body patches, and air samples collected with area and personal monitors. The median concentration of 5-HBC in the urine of benomyl-exposed workers was 23.8 mumol of 5-HBC per mole of creatinine. No 5-HBC was detected in the reference group. Industrial hygiene results and biological monitoring findings indicate that use of Benlate 50 DF in the ornamental industry can lead to absorption of the active ingredient, benomyl. Weighing, mixing, and application activities involved the highest exposures. Dermal contact appeared to be the primary route of exposure.
Two cases of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) that occurred in employees from one university academic department were investigated using approaches for both cluster and single case investigation. Common personal characteristics and potential past hazardous exposures were evaluated. The patients shared a young age at diagnosis, worked in the same building, and had similar duration of time between first entering the building and diagnosis of WM. No evidence was found to support the original hypothesis that exposure to radioactive material could be related to the occurrence of WM. Although this investigation did not identify a common causal agent among two cases of a rare disease, investigations of disease clusters may be useful for developing etiologic hypotheses even when a full-scale epidemiologic study is not undertaken. Detailed descriptions of case characteristics can help generate ideas for further research.
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a request to conduct a health hazard evaluation (HHE) regarding contract workers formerly employed at the IMC Corporation nitroparaffin plant in Sterlington, Louisiana.The Construction and General Laborers Union Local 762, representing asbestos
