Oral findings in glassblowers

A clinical diagnosis of oral leukoplakia; A guide for dentists

Background

In view of the many white or predominantly white lesions of the oral mucosa it is a challenge for dentists to clinically identify a leukoplakia, being a potentially (pre)malignant lesion.

Material and Methods

Based on the available literature and experience of the authors the parameters of a clinical diagnosis of oral leukoplakia have been studied.

Results

A guide has been presented that should help dentists to establish a clinical diagnosis of leukoplakia as accurate as possible.

Conclusions

Probably in most parts of the world dentists will need the help of a specialist for confirmation or exclusion of the clinical diagnosis of oral leukoplakia and for further management of the patient, including patient information.

Key words:Oral diseases, oral leukoplakia.

Pulmonary function in commercial glass blowers

This study examined the pulmonary function of 87 male commercial glass factory workers. Statistical analysis of the data indicated that workers with full-time glass blowing job descriptions had significantly higher percent predicted values for FVC, FEV1 and significantly higher maximal inspiratory and expiratory muscle pressures than their cohorts with minimal or nonglass blowing job descriptions. The results of this study indicate that persons using their respiratory muscles as full-time blowers to manufacture commercial blown glass products have significantly greater lung function values than part-time blowers or their nonglass blowing co-workers.

Some hygienic observations from the glass industry

Metallic compounds and other agents used in the manufacturing of glass are probably responsible for the cancer risks observed for glassworkers, especially glassblowers. Few hygienic observations have been reported from the art glass industry. Three glassworks were therefore studied with regard to air concentrations of lead, arsenic, nickel and manganese. The hygienic conditions of the blow-pipes were investigated at these glassworks and another two with regard to inside deposits of slag containing lead, arsenic, manganese and nickel as possible transporters that cause oral exposure. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used for the analyses. Apart from lead, the metal concentrations in the air were around the detection limit. Glassworks producing heavy crystal glass usually had higher concentrations of lead in the air than the semi-crystal glassworks. Seven out of 12 samples from heavy crystal glassworks exceeded the Swedish threshold limit of 50 micrograms/m3, while only four out of 28 samples from the semi-crystal glassworks exceeded this limit. Regarding metals in the slag from inside the blow-pipes, the concentrations (geometrical means) of lead and nickel were higher in the heavy crystal glassworks (6.9 micrograms lead/mg slag, and 5.0 micrograms nickel/mg slag versus 0.7 micrograms lead/mg slag and 0.6 micrograms nickel/mg slag in semi-crystal glassworks, respectively). The concentration of arsenic was similarly low in the pipes from all the glassworks (approximately 0.30 micrograms/mg slag) and the concentration of manganese was only slightly higher in heavy crystal glassworks (5.4 micrograms/mg slag versus 3.6 micrograms/mg slag in semi-crystal glassworks).