Unusual Mortality Research Articles

Long-term effects of chemical disasters. Lessons and results from Seveso

Fourteen years after its occurrence (10 July 1976) the Seveso accident is still considered the prototype for chemical disasters. Thousands of persons were potentially exposed to dioxin after an uncontrolled development during the manufacture of trichlorophenol in a chemical plant. The most evident adverse health effect ascertained was chloracne (193 cases). Other reversible early effects noted were peripheral neuropathy and liver enzyme induction. The ascertainment of other, possibly severe sequelae of dioxin exposure (e.g., birth defects) was hampered by inadequate information; however, generally, no increased risks were evident. Mortality studies shed some light on the long-term effects. An unusual cardiovascular mortality pattern was reported in the exposed population. Cancer mortality findings after 10 years do not allow firm conclusions to be drawn, but are suggestive of a departure from expectations for certain types of cancer; the ongoing cancer incidence study will further explore these hypotheses. A variety of lessons were learned after this accident, and some have been incorporated into international regulations regarding industrial activities and environmental safety. This paper focuses on lessons relevant to the design and conduct of health studies in the aftermath of chemical disasters, with special emphasis given to identification of the study population, ascertainment of individual exposure, and attainment of information.

Unusual mortality pattern among short term workers in the perfumery industry in Geneva.

A cohort of 537 workers employed for less than one year between 1900 and 1964 in the Geneva perfumery industry was followed up from entry to the end of 1983. During the period of study, 251 workers died and 41 (8%) were lost to follow up. The standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was significantly above 100 for all causes (SMR = 120), all cancers (SMR = 127), lung cancer (SMR = 186), and violent death (SMR = 179). The highest SMR from all causes was associated with the shortest period of employment (less than two months) and it decreased significantly with longer duration. Such mortality excesses had not been recorded among the 1168 workers of the same industry employed one year or more, previously studied in similar fashion. Interviews among a random sample of 52 workers employed for less than two months seem to indicate that the prevalence of smoking, exposures to asbestos, and occupational accidents in other hazardous industries were higher for these workers than for the reference population. Furthermore, unmarried men were overrepresented among the study cohort. These findings support previous observations indicating that short term workers share atypical features related to high mortality from various causes. It is suggested that mortality in this subgroup should be analysed separately in occupational studies.

Geochemistry and health in the United Kingdom.

Before the 1960s, comparisons between the distribution of trace elements in the environment and health in the United Kingdom were primarily confined to ad hoc studies in areas associated with particular agricultural disorders or with unusual human mortality or morbidity records. More recently, increasing interest in the importance of trace elements in crop and animal production and in the hazards of environmental pollution have created a need for more systematic geochemical data. Geochemical reconnaissance maps for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland have demonstrated the extent of many known clinical trace element problems in agriculture and have also been valuable in delineating areas within which subclinical disorders may occur. Their application to studies on the composition of soils, food crops and surface waters in relation to public health has proved encouraging. Current knowledge and present investigations into environmental geochemistry and human health in the U.K. are reviewed, together with future research requirements.

Cancer mortality in U.S. counties with shipyard industries during World War II

Respiratory cancer mortality, 1950–1969, was consistently high in U.S. counties where shipyards were engaged in the construction and repair of large naval and cargo vessels during World War II. Over three-fourths of the shipyard counties had elevated rates (in comparison to rates in counties of similar population size in the same region of the country) for lung and laryngeal cancer among white males, with the excess particularly evident in the South. Mortality from lung cancer was high also among white females, and the rate of increase in both sexes was greater than recorded nationally. In addition, rates for oropharyngeal, esophageal, and gastric cancers tended to be elevated in the shipyard counties, but mortality from other tumors was roughly comparable to national levels. A causal relation to asbestos exposures in shipyards cannot be inferred from this correlational analysis, but the unusual mortality patterns underscore the need for broadly based analytic studies to evaluate the risk of cancer in persons with wartime shipyard employment.

Low birth weight babies in the hospital. A survey of recent changes in their care, with special emphasis on early discharge.

Fifty-seven low weight infants, averaging 1,879 g at birth, were sent home from the newborn nursery with an average weight of only 2,079 g. There was no unusual morbidity or mortality later on. Thus early discharge from modern hospital nurseries of thriving premature infants who are going to good homes to re ceive good care has many economic and psychologic advantages.

Unusual Mortality for Diving Ducks

Unusual Mortality for Diving Ducks

Unusual cancer mortality among a group of underground metal miners.

A STUDY of mortality among uranium miners of the Colorado Plateau has suggested that they are experiencing more cancer of the respiratory tract than the general white male population of the same region.1 , 2 Radioactivity in the mines has been the suspected carcinogenic agent. To explore the possibility that other mining exposures have played a part in the genesis of this cancer, the mortality among a group of metal miners in the United States who have been occupationally exposed to relatively low levels of radioactivity was studied. Presented here is an unusual mortality experience observed among this metal-mining group. Methods Selected . . .

Leukemia among children in a suburban community

Between 1957 and 1960 eight cases of leukemia occurred among children living in one residential area of Niles, Illinois. Seven of these eight children were from Roman Catholic families, and each of these seven either attended or had older siblings who attended the community's one parochial elementary school. These cases constituted a significantly increased incidence of leukemia in children for this town, and their association with a single school exceeded chance expectation. The eight cases occurred within two separate periods of time, and were accompanied by a “rheumatic-like” illness among pupils in the same parochial school. Within this same community, cases of leukemia in adults and of cancers other than leukemia in children were found limited to Roman Catholic families, four of whom lived within a single block area. An unusual childhood mortality associated with congenital heart disease was observed in which cases were also limited to Roman Catholic families. Consolidation in the parochial school and rapid population expansion in the community may have been contributing factors in this unusual occurrence of leukemia. Although the exact cause of these cases was not identified, their association with one particular school, the time pattern of their occurrence and the parallel appearance of a “rheumatic-like” illness suggest an etiologic relationship to infection.

アコヤガイ増殖に関する研究-II

1. Our investgation was focused to detect factors responsible for an unusual high mortality of the pearl oysters, Pinctada martensii, which was experienced at the Ncasa Bay near Shishikui-machi, Tokushima prefecture over the period of three month (from the middle of April to the middle of June, 1952) has resulted in the isolation of two kinds of microorganism; short bacillus and diplococcus. The identification of those bacteria is left for the further studies. 2. Short bacillus presumably considered to be causal factor for the unusual death of the oyster is gram negative and inoculation of which into the oyster caused a rapid putrefaction and decomposition of the oyster. 3. Same kind of bacteria above mentioned were isolated from the subsoil and sea water of the oyster culture land. 4. From the result of our experiment by means of inoculation and from the consideration of the prevailing geographical position of the culture land it is easily presumed that the sea water at the bottom readily become muddy at the time when the oyster-basket are pulled up or down at the obb-tide, which easily permit the entrance of the harmful bacteria into the bodies of oyster through the operative wounds and eventually leads to the death of the precious oyster.

On the Land Mammals of St. Lawrence Island, Alaska

The mammals occurring on St. Lawrence Island represent species which are widely distributed in boreal regions. They are not well known, hoiwever, and are poorly represented in colIections. In the past, some of these mammals have been regarded as being specifically distinct from closely related forms occurring on the adjacent continents. It is the purpose of this paper to present some new data on these mammals, with particular reference to their taxonomy. Begun in the winter of 1950, the investigation of animal-borne diseases on St. Lawrence Island has been carried on by the Animal-borne Disease Branch of the Arctic Health Research Center, located at Anchorage, Alaska. The collection of mammals has been an important part of this work, and a large volume of material has been assembled. With the exception of an occurrence of unusual mortality in walrus during 195 lt reported separately by Schiller (1953), nothing of extraordinary mammalogical interest involving the marine forms has been observed. St. Lawrence Island, of volcanic origin, is about 90 miles long. It lies in the Bering Sea about 104 miles from the nearest point on the Alaskan mainland, and 38 miles from Cape Chukotskyi, Northeast Siberia. Low mountains, few exceeding 1000 feet in altitude, cover nearly half the total surface of the island. Steep cliffs, the nesting places of great numbers of sea birds, border the sea in the mountainous regions. Mucl] of the island is low and wet, with numerous tundra ponds. Here, vegetation is characteristic of wet tundra. At higher altitudes the vegetation is typical of dry alpine tundra.

「マガキ」異状斃死の防止に関する研究「Kイオン」特に「KI」の注射の効果について

Various authors have worked on the cause or causes of unusual mortality observed during summer in the Japanese oyster, Ostrea gigas, with the following results:- (1) Proof against such an unusual event are those culture-beds which enjoy an appropriate water condition ensuing from either (a) the temperature being below 24°C coupled with the salinity ranging 33-34‰, or (b) the temperature somewhat higher (26°-36°C) but the salinity slightly lower (30-32‰) than the former. (2) The summer conditions of water consequent upon higher temperature (26°-32°C) and salinity (33-35‰) were found in Moroiso Bay decidedly fatal to the profusely egg-laden oysters which however rather gradually succumed to death. (3) Spawning was followed by sudden fate at Kanazawa and Akamizu during a period from late August to early September in those oysters which had been previously exposed in summer months to a temperature above 26°C and at the same time to a salinity of 32-34‰, although the water conditions were taking a favorable turn for them while dying. (These three items were verified by Seno, Fujimori, Kusakabe, and Yokota). (4) Transplanted anywhere else from Shimizu Bay as it was, the Shimizu stock of oysters still maintained its regular spawning season of mid-autumn irrespective of conditions of life, of its new habitat, briskly continuing its existence during the afore-mentioned critical period amidst all other dying native ones. Hence the mortality of the latter dependent on coincidence of spawning season with the time of upturned temperature and salinity (Seno, Fujimori, and Kusakabe). (5) Nothing suggestive of contagion could be detected in the perishing oysters (Seno, Kusakabe, and Miyazaki); nor harmful bacteria in them (Orton). (6) Autolysis products of ovary of an oyster induced “gaping” condition in another otherwise healthy one when injected in its visceral mass (Yokota, ). (7) The higher temperature and salinity of water markedly lessened reproductirvity of diatoms (Yokota) which were found indispensable food for rearing Olympia oyster lavae (Hori). (8) Gaping oysters were found to have their digestive diverticula rediced in size and faded in color. It may be mentioned a measure was taken by Yokota, Inoue, and Sawto with a view to reducing the unusual mortality of the oyster in summer. Of injections of Vitamin B2, KI, KCl, KIO ??, diatom extract crone of them, a certain dose of KI appeared to answer the purpose (Preliminary Report of Experiment to Reduce Mortality of Oyster in Summer 1950. BULL. JAP. SCO. SCI. FISH. VOL. 15 No. 9.) The premnt paper deals with an account of further studies conducted in summer of 1948 and 1950 on the same subject, and the attention of the reader is called to the accompanying Tables I and II which tabulate the results of experiments, Tables III and IV which give a summary of environmental conditions of Akamizu oyster farm under consideration, and Table V which sums up mortality of oysters. Remarkably enough, shots of KI solutions were likely to reduce the mortality in summer even under adverse conditions resulting from unsuitable temperarure and salinity and also shortage of food. Such effects of KI and other already mentioned related facts when taken together appear to point to the conclusion that unusual deathrate ensues from accumulation of harmful autolysis products due to disturbed metabolism which was given rise to by persistence of higher temperature and salinity of water during the spawning season. A large dose of KI is therefore recommended to be administered to the oysters when they are spawning in summer.

Unusual Mortality Among Geologists

Unusual Mortality Among Geologists

Cattle Plague Anti-Serum Prepared By Intrarumenal Hyperimmunisation

Summary An attempt has been made in the Sudan to prepare cattle plague antiserum by intrarumenal hyperimmunisation of cattle. The dosage of virus was double that employed in parallel hyperimmunisation of other cattle by the intramuscular route, and was not only 50 per cent. larger than the dosage employed in Tanganyika Territory but was repeated at shorter intervals. The resultant serum was markedly inferior to that prepared by the intramuscular process, being, in fact, quite incapable at the usual dosage of protecting Sudan cattle against a simultaneous injection of virus. Furthermore, the serum obtained after four or five hyperimmunisations was of no higher potency than that obtained after the first one. The satisfaction that serum obtained by the intrarumenal process gives in Tanganyika Territory appears to be referable to an unusual morbidity—mortality ratio in the face of cattle plague infection in that country. Although the morbidity rate is high, the natural resistance of the cattle is also so high that the mortality rate is very low, and an antiserum of low potency has sufficient protective qualities to give local satisfaction.

On the unusual Mortality amongst Fish during March and April 1929, in the North Sea

Journal Article On the unusual Mortality amongst Fish during March and April 1929, in the North Sea Get access J. R. Lumby, J. R. Lumby Ministry of Agriculture & FisheriesLowestoft Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar G. T. Atkinson G. T. Atkinson Ministry of Agriculture & FisheriesLowestoft Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar ICES Journal of Marine Science, Volume 4, Issue 3, December 1929, Pages 309–332, https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/4.3.309 Published: 01 December 1929

The Comparative Behaviour of Native Oysters (Ostrea edulis) and Portuguese Oysters (Ostrea (Gryphea) angulata) in certain Lethal Solutions of T.N.T. (Trinitrotoluene).

In connection with the cause of the unusual mortality of oysters reported on the oyster beds in the Thames Estuary in 1920 (see Min. Agric. and Fisheries Report, Fishery Investigations II, 6, Nos. 3 and 4, 1923–24, London), it is of interest to compare the simultaneous effects of known solutions of T.N.T. (Trinitrotoluene) in sea-water on both Portuguese and native oysters. In order to obtain some information on this problem the experiments described in the following pages have been carried out at the request of the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and with the help of the Government Chemist and his assistants.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

IN September 1920 there was a scare about the heavy mortality amongst the oysters on the layings of the Thames Estuary. This scare passed to Colchester, and to every part of the East Coast, and similar death-rates were also mentioned from the south and west. The matter was investigated by the Development Commission's Advisory Committee on Fishery Research, but so far as we can see from the Report before us, no accurate estimations were made of the deaths, either beforehand, or afterwards when it certainly would not have been too late; the Table given shows that unusual mortality was reported in the summer of 1921 in the Thames Estuary, and the only possible excuses for the lack of accurate investigation then are either that reports were not sent in at the time, or that the Development Commission refused to provide the funds for such. Oyster planters estimated the deaths in 1920 at 10 to 60 per cent, against an average of 10 to 15 per cent., but there is no indication upon what these estimates were based. As Holt in Ireland records, losses from all causes of 39-6 and 54-6 per cent, on accurate figures, and Bulstrode showed that an English planter laid 241 millions in 13 years, and only picked up and sold 105 millions, we may be allowed to doubt the accuracy of the belief in this greatly increased and “abnormal “mortality, especially as no information is supplied as to deaths and the working of the layings in 1918 and 1919. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Fishery Investigations. Series 2, Vol. 6, No. 3, 1923. An Account of Investigations into the Cause or Causes of the unusual Mortality among Oysters in English Oyster Beds during 1920 and 1921. Part 1.: Report. By Dr. J. H. Orton. (assisted in Laboratory Work by Miss Edith Worsnop. Pp. 199 + 12 plates. (London: H.M. Stationery Office, 1924.) 15s. net.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Investigations into the causes of the unusual mortality in English oyster beds in 1920 and 1921

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Investigations into the causes of the unusual mortality in English oyster beds in 1920 and 1921

Summary of an Account of Investigations into the Cause or Causes of the Unusual Mortality among Oysters in English Oyster Beds during 1920 and 1921

On October 28th, 1920, a conjoint meeting was held by representatives of the Development Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Oyster Merchants and Planters Association to institute investigations into the cause of the abnormal mortality which had occurred among oysters in the oyster beds in the Thames Estuary during the summer of 1920. As a result of this meeting investigations were begun under the general direction of the writer. On the completion of the work a full report of the results obtained was forwarded to the Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The more important parts of that report will be published as follows: Part I, Main Report, Fishery Investigations, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, London, Series II, Vol. VI, No. 3, 1923; Part II. containing the more important Appendices, will appear later.

Fowl Cholera

Fowl cholera(FC), which has been classified as reportable animal disease in Korea, occurred in the backyard farm located in Chungju, Chungbuk province. The farm was not ordinary domestic poultry farm but backyard farm with main cultivation of fruits. The farmer reported unusual mortality of chickens which were grazed in his own fruit farm without any poultry house. There was a lots of opportunities to contact with wild animals including wild birds freely. Clinical signs observed in the chickens were torticolis, mucous excretion from mouth and greenish diarrhea. On the necropsy we found multifocal necrosis on the surface of liver, hemorrhages in the epicardium and ovary and mucopurulent exudates in the joint. The causative agents was isolated from the liver of chickens collected from the farms and identified as Pasteurella multocida using biochemical tests of bacteria. Also, the isolated bacteria were inoculated into specific pathogen free chickens to evaluate the pathogenicity. High mortality and similar pathological lesions compared to those of chickens died in the farm were observed. We report the first case of fowl cholera of the chickens in Korea and further studies are needed to evaluate the serotype, genotype and pathogenicity of isolated Pasteurella multocida.

Note on the Stage of Piroplasma bigeminum Which Occurs in the Cattle Tick, Margaropus annulatus

The organism herein described, which is believed to be a stage in the life cycle of Piroplasma bigeminum, was found in engorged female cattle ticks (Margaropus annulatus) removed from cattle in September, 1913. These ticks, which were being used as controls in a series of experiments at the Bureau of Animal Industry Experiment Station, Bethesda, Md., on the action of arsenical dips, had been immersed in water, dried, and maintained in the laboratory in petri dishes. Under such circumstances cattle ticks ordinarily behave in the normal manner; that is, by far the greater number live until oviposition is fully completed. In the present instance, however, certain of the lots showed an unusual mortality, as a result of which microscopical preparations were made and the organism which is the subject of the present paper discovered. This, as seen in the figure, is a cigar-shaped body, with one end pointed and the other differentiated into a sort of cap. The ratio between the length and breadth varied considerably, but it is probable that this variation is due at least in part to the exigencies of fixation. The cap, which is placed at what is probably the anterior end, varies a good deal in appearance in the different specimens. In some cases it has the shape of a crown with a minute, pointed process arising from its median portion (A). In others it consists merely of a narrow shell fitting over the broad end of the parasite (D), while again it consists of a rounded body resting upon the balance of the cell like the protomerite of a polycystid gregarine (B, C). As a matter of fact, these parasites are strikingly like minute gregarines, and may appropriately be termed gregarinoids. In some cases (A, D) the substance of the cap was much denser and more homogeneous than that of the balance of the cell, whereas in other cases (B, C) this distinction was not evident. The cytoplasm is finely alveolar, thus following the protozoan type. In many of the specimens there were large vacuities, but these are probably to be accredited to the technique. An ectoplasmic layer is probably present, but it was not possible to demonstrate it satisfactorily. The nucleus occupies a median position. It is of the vesicular type and inclosed within a thick and very distinct membrane. Within, a large rounded karyosome is always present.