[Induction of sister chromatide exchange by trichloroethylene and its metabolites (author's transl)]

The mutagenecity of trichloroethylene and its metabolites (trichloroethanol and chloral hydrate) have been tested by using the method of sister chromatide exchanges (SCE). We have found the increasing SCE in workers chronically exposed to trichloroethylene. The increasing of SCE was also observed when the human lymphocytes were exposed to trichloroethanol and chloral hydrate in vitro in certain concentrations. The all results of tests groups are compared with those of the control groups and the difference is statistically significant.

[Acute trichloroethylene poisoning. Description of 4 clinical cases]

After reviewing the chemistry and metabolism of trichloroethylene, stress is laid on its acute and chronic toxicology, with particular reference to the former. The most effective therapeutic and resuscitory scheme followed is then described on the basis of personal cases and the literature.

A cohort study on workers exposed to trichloroethylene

The mortality of 2,117 workers exposed to trichloroethylene sometime between 1963 and 1976 was studied. Their names were collected from the files of one biochemical laboratory performing urinary trichloroacetic acid determinations and from the Occupational Disease Register of Finland. Both the total mortality (SMR 69) and the cancer mortality (SMR 77) were lower than expected. Because of the young age structure and the brief follow-up time the results should be interpreted with caution. They suggest, however, that given as short a latency period as 6 to 13 years, trichloroethylene is not a strong human carcinogen. The present material provides a cohort with defined exposure for further follow-up.

An episode of trichloroethylene poisoning

Trichloroethylene is commonly used in industry as a solvent and degreasing agent. An incident is described in which 14 out of 23 workers using trichloroethylene to clean machine parts in an electronics factory suffered symptoms of poisoning, including fainting in 3. Subsequent investigation showed the widespread use of trichloroethylene in that factory; containers of the chemical were also kept exposed. Industrial hygiene assessments revealed vapour levels which exceeded the permissible limit. The implementation of control measures brought the vapour levels to below 50 ppm, a safe level.

Sniffing-associated deaths in Denmark

An account is given of 20 deaths, which occurred in association with sniffing during the period 1959--1978. The annual number of deaths was almost constant during the period. Most of the deaths occurred in males. Ether and trichloroethylene were the predominant toxic substances. The material was divided into two groups. Group A, 14 cases, included real sniffing deaths, the cause of death being poisoning by the substance inhaled. In group B, 6 cases, sniffing was a contributory factor to death: 2 cases of suffocation by obstruction, one case of carbon monoxide poisoning during fire, one case of septicemia/severe anemia caused by bone marrow depression, and one case of bleeding to death from stab wounds inflicted by a sniffer against a non-sniffer. The circumstances before and at the time of death are reported, together with the autopsy and toxicological findings when these were performed.

Animals as monitors of environmental quality

The various species of domesticated and wild animals can be excellent monitors of environmental quality. Although analyses of industrial air and water effluents and tests for toxicants in soils, plants, foods and feeds may provide some degree of predictability of environmental quality, the ultimate monitors are those organisms having metabolic activities that are comparable to man. If we closely observe animals that share our environment, like the coal miner's canary, they will alert us to unseen and perhaps devastating environmental hazards.

[Health effects of trichloroethylene in human subjects (author's transl)]

Trichloroethylene has been widely used for the removal of grease in dry cleaning, plate and painting industries, in which approximately 280 thousand workers contact trichloroethylene, for example, in the United States, resulting in acute and chronic poisonings. Based on 203 papers mainly on trichloroethylene toxicity on human beings, the present review covers acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity, factors modifying toxicity, metabolism, dose-response relationships and maximum allowable concentration of this chemical. 1 figure and 12 tables.

A new syndrome with pigmentation, scleroderma, gynaecomastia, Raynaud's phenomenon and peripheral neuropathy

A middle-aged man developed impotence, gynaecomastia, peripheral neuropathy, pigmentation lymphadenopathy, scleroderma, malabsorption and Raynaud's phenomenon following prolonged exposure to trichlorethylene. Somes, but not all, of these features have previously been reported in vinyl chloride disease, and trichlorethylene is related chemically to vinyl chloride. Seven patients with a similar but not identical syndrome have been described in Japan and U.S.A., apparently unrelated to exposure to industrial toxins.

[On two cases of lethal trichloroethylene intoxication (author's transl)]

Two lethal cases of inhalation of vapors containing trichloroethylene are reported. The results of autopsy and of histological and toxicological examinations indicated a long lasting exposure and survival time.

Function of peripheral nerves and signs of polyneuropathy in solvent-exposed workers at a Swedish steelworks

A field study was performed at a Swedish steelworks concerning symptoms and signs of polyneuropathy in 42 workers exposed to organic solvents at the plastic coating line of the plant. Examination was done clinically and by simple electrophysiological methods. The workers were exposed to a mixture of solvents, including methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and trichloroethyelen. Nosed to a mixture of solvents, including methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and trichloroethylene. None of the solvents used are known to cause peripheral neuropathy. At times very high vapour concentrations of solvents in the air were attained. The exposed workers were compared with at group of reference subjects sampled from other sections of the steelworks, matched for sex, age and duration of employment. Among the exposed workers one plausible and two suspected cases of polyneuropathy were found. None of the reference subjects showed signs of polyneuropathy. Statistical assessment provided some evidence, though weak, of a connection between the exposure to organic solvents and the observed abnormalities. A brief review is made of the present state of knowledge about hazards to the peripheral nervous system from the solvents in question.

[Dialysis technic for regulation of the internal milieu in acute poisoning]

In 72 patients with acute poisoning (15 patients without unconsciousness with 80% of acute renal and hepatic failure, and 57 patients with unconciousness with 10.5% of acute renal and hepatic failure) the significance of the continuous prolonged haemodialysis lasting on an average 12 hours, respectively 18 hours, with the maximum of 33 and 82 hour, respectively. The duration of the haemodialysis was in close correlation with the pH-value of the blood and the duration of the unconciousness. One half of the unconscious patients suffered from dehydration (of them up to 40.3%), which was valuated by the height of the central venous blood pressure. It was also referred to the necessity of the correction of the potassiaemia and glycaemia.