Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) poisoning involves a risk of hypoxic brain damage. Six patients who lost consciousness due to H2S poisoning are described. The symptoms varied from anosmia in the patient with the shortest but highest exposure to delayed neurological deterioration in the patient with the longest exposure. The two patients with the most serious symptoms developed pulmonary edema, which may have prolonged the hypoxia. The patients were reexaminated 5 years or more after the poisoning. The five patients who had been unconscious in H2S atmosphere for from 5 to 15-20 min showed persisting impairment at neurological and neuropsychological re-examination. Memory and motor function were most affected. One patient was seriously demented. Recent reports of large groups of H2S-poisoned workers probably underestimate the risk of sequelae, due to the inclusion of cases with exposure of short duration and lack of follow-up.

Objectives-To examine the association between cancer incidence, in particular incidence of lung cancer, and duration of work among employees in eight Norwegian plants producing ferrosilicon and silicon metal. Results-A total of 832 cases of cancer were observed against 786 expected (standardised incidence ratio (SIR) 1.06). Among the furnace workers an increased incidence of lung cancer (SIR 1.57) and testicular cancer (SIR 2.30) was found. Internal comparisons of rates by Poisson regression analysis among the rural furnace workers showed a positive trend between incidence of lung cancer and duration of work of 1.05 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.00 to 1.10)/work-year. Excess cases of prostate and kidney cancer were found among blue collar nonfurnace workers, in particular among the mechanics. Conclusion-The results suggest associations between furnace work and lung and testicular cancer, and between nonfurnace work and prostate cancer. (Occup Environ Med 1999;56:625-631)

Objectives-Concern about the health hazards of exposure to workers in the ferroalloy industry has initiated this historical cohort study. (SMR 1.47) were found among employees with at least three years of employment. Mortality from accidents, poisonings, and violence was increased among all employees (SMR 1*28). Excess deaths from this cause were however only found for the time after the end of employment in this industry and not during employment (SMR 0.90). Conclusions-The increased mortality from cancer and sudden death could be related to work exposures, at least in subgroups, and these results warrant further studies. The excess deaths from accidents, poisonings, and violence were probably not related to work exposures. The mortality results for short term workers and other information indicate that systematic errors contribute to the increased overall mortality. (Occup Environ Med 1996;53:540-546)

Mortality from cardiovascular diseases and sudden death in ferroalloy plants by Hobbesland Objectives The aim of this study was to examine mortality from circulatory diseases and sudden death among workers in 12 Norwegian ferroalloy plants. Methods The cohort comprised 14 730 men employed for the first time during and for at least 6 months. Deaths observed during 1962-1990 were compared with expected figures calculated from national mortality rates. Internal cornparisoils of rates were performed by Poisson regression analysis. Results The overall mortality from cardiovascular diseases was not increased [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) 1.011, but a significantly increased mortality from sudden death (SMR 1.55) and hypertensive disease (SMR 1.37) was observed. Among the ferromanganeselsilicomanganese (FeMnISiMn) furnace worl

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