The exposure levels of nine spray-operators in apple orchards to Fenitrothion (MEP) was measured. The pesticide was sprayed in the form of a 1, 000-fold diluted solution of a 40% MEP wettable powder by using power sprayers.
The operators were wearing protective non-woven clothes, masks (Sumitomo 3M 1780) and rubber gloves.
The estimated exposure amount of MEP per operator was 217mg on average when a sprayer with a short rod (50-70 cm) was used. In the case of using a long rod (100-120 cm), the amount was less, indicating 44mg on average.
The estimated amount of MEP penetrating the operator's clothing was 7.6mg on average, ranging from 1.2 to 23.9mg.
The penetration rate averaged 6.3%.
We calculated the MEP concentration in the air around the worker's mouth estimated from the amounts of MEP on the masks and from those in the sampling columns. The results averaged 0.258 mg/m₃ and 0.022 mg/m₃, respectively.
MEP was detected in blood samples from all the operators (0.0004-0.0222 ppm) immediately after the spray work and in blood samples from four of the nine operators (0.0004-0.0009 ppm) after one day, but not detected in any of the nine blood samples after three days.
A decrease in blood ChE activities of the operators was not observed.
The amount of MEP absorbed into the operator's body was calculated to be 0.34 to 2.59 mg. These calculations were based on the amount of the metabolites (converted into nitro-m-cresol) in the urine samples collected from the operators over a period of 24 hours after the spray work. However, the metabolites were detected in the spot urine samples of only one of the nine operators after three days and in none of the spot samples after seven days.
These results show that a small amount of MEP was absorbed into the operator's body, suggesting that the spray-operator should not do the spray work day after day. However, from the point of view of the percutaneous and inhalation toxicity of MEP, we concluded that the sprayoperators were not affected by MEP exposure in this case.

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Farmers usually inhale toxic chemicals when they are spraying their fields with pesticides.
To obtain basic data for estimating the extent to which their respiratory organs are exposed to risks, the size of droplets of the liquid-type pesticides was measured and the distribution of these particles by size was studied.
For this purpose, an MgO measuring plate (coated with MgO particles) as an agent to capture droplets of the pesticides was devised, and the impinger-man-respirator system was employed. The results were satisfactory.
The droplet-size distributions showed that the sizes of particles range from 1μ to 66μ. About 90% of the particles were less than 20p in size, and particles of 5μ to 15μ made up 70% of the whole.

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In order to observe the effects of organophosphorus compounds on lipid metabolism, 4mg of prothiofos, cyanofenphos or 1mg of chlorpyrifos were administered per os to different groups of rats, and the results were as follows;
1) Serum cholinesterase activity was significantly suppressed in the experimental group administered these pesticides compared with the control group, administered salad oil only.
2) The lipase activity in the liver was suppressed by administration of prothiofos and that in the kidney was also suppressed by cyanofenphos. There was a close positive correlation between the cholinesterase and lipase activity in epididymal adipose tissues of rats administered prothiofos or cyanofenphos. Furthermore, the positive correlation between the cholinesterase and lipase activity in the kidney was close on day 2 after administration.
3) The acyl CoA synthetase activity in the liver of rats administered cyanofenphos was signifcantly lower than that of the control group, and there was close positive correlation between the cholinesterase and acyl CoA synthetase activity in the rats administered prothiofos.
4) The serum concentration of beta-lipoprotein decreased in the group administered cyanofenphos or chlorpyrifos.
5) The suppression of the lipase and acyl CoA synthetase activity was independent of the serum concentration of immunoreactive insulin.

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Recently paraquat poisoning cases are increasing, and vicious crimes such as suicides and accidental troubles are now serious social problems.
We experienced 59 paraquat poisoning cases for the last four years and the number of deaths were 39. We changed the treatrents of paraquat poisoning from September 1982. In consequence the lifesaving rate was improved from 7.1 percent to 42.2 percent. But the mortality of the paraquat poisoning cases is still much higher than that of poisoning due to other agricultural chemicals.
We made questionnaire inquiries about paraquat poisoning in the rural population in Kumamoto in June and July 1984. As a result of this investigation we found that they can buy the paraquat liquid easily but receive no explanation about the toxic effects. Moreover they neglect severe custody. These factors are promoting the increase of paraquat poisoning.
It seems to be dangerous to use the paraquat liquid without strong prescriptions. We hope administrative measures to be done without delay

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For about 8, 000inhabitants of Nagato-machi and Wada-mura, Nagano prefecture, various mass screenings have been carried out for this 14years. These are gastric mass survey carried out from 1971, primary health screening from 1972, multiphasic health testing and service from 1978, mass screening for breast and thyroid cancer from 1980 and ultrasonographic mass screening for liver, gallbladder and pancreas cancer from 1983.
Among the total of 38, 593examinees, 90patients 92diseases were detected to be operated. Maligant diseases are 9kinds 40patients 42diseases and benign ones are llkinds 50patients.
The largest number of the diseases is 29gastric cancers. Almost of malignant diseases, 36/ 40patients, were detected sincel978 and their prognosis are very good, namely 2patients of gastric cancer, one hepatoma and one breast cancer have died of the malady and one bile duct cancer died of other disease until now.
The route of detection and prognosis of all operated patients, the present condition and the policy of all mass screenings and the necessity of increase of the examinees, especially the old men and women, are discussed.

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In order to find some countermeasures to relieve the workload upon the lower back due to harvesting and sorting strawberries, prevalence of localized fatigue complaints and flexibility of spine of strawberry farmers were compared with eggplant farmers. Furthermore time study, global EMG and biomechanical analysis of body postures during harvesting strawberries and so forth were performed. Obtained results are as follows:
1) As for the localized fatigue complaints during the one month soon after harvesting season, prevalence of the lower back pain was 58.1% in men and 82.5% in women. As to the body part where fatigue feeling appears during harvesting strawberries, most of the farmers pointed out the lower back.
2) Flexibility of the spine was disturbed in some degree compared with the eggplant farmers.
3) The specific stooping posture with the left forearm supported by the left thigh just above the knee was sometimes observed and was suspected to relieve the load upon the lower back. This posture was proved to decrease the moment upon the lower back, to straighten the unnatural curvature of thoracolumbar spine, and relieve the muscle tension of legs.
4) Too short leisure season in the strawberry cultivation and too short sleeping hours due to long working hours during harvesting season were considered to accelarate the accumulative localized fatigue in the lower back.

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Over the past 10 months, we have performed mass screenings for thyroid diseases on the inhabitants of Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture, in cooperation with the women's department of the local agricultural cooperative. The number of examinees so far has reached a total of 2, 481 persons-2, 025 women and 456 men.
By palpation, goiter has been found in 208 (8.4%) persons-204 women and 4 men. The detection ratio was low when compared with the percentage recorded in Kamaishi, and higher than those in Kofu and Chiba.
Out of the 208 persons, 152 men and women underwent further examination, with the result that simple goiter was found in 35 persons; subacute thyroiditis in one person; chronic thyroiditis in 44; Basedow's disease in 8; and nodular goiter in 64.
Aizu stood highest next only to Kamaishi on the list in the chronic thyroiditis detection ratio. Kofu and Chiba followed in that order. As regards adenoma and adenomatous goiter in the thyroid grand, Aizu was on a par with Kamaishi, outdistancing Kofu and Chiba. Thyroid cancer was found less in Aizu than in Kamaishi and Kofu, but more or less at the same ratio with Chiba. As for Basedow's disease, Aizu ranked first.

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Part of the blood samples collected during group medical examinations might possibly be used as tumor markers a in preliminary screening for cancer. However, at the present, it would be too hasty a conclusion that the tumor markers in the blood samples are definitely effective in terms of practicality. There is much more probing yet to be done.
To begin with, the authors think it necessary to examine the normal values and basal ranges of tumor markers currently available and compare them with clinical values according to the types of cancer.
In this report, the five tumor markers (CEA, AFP, Ferritin, SCC and CA19-9) are dealt with. All these markers are undergoing clinical testing on patients in our hospital. The results so far obtained showed that each marker has its own characteristics. CEA has proved to be helpful in making the diagnosis of advanced colo-rectal carcinoma; AEP is useful for liver cancer; Ferritin, liver and lung cancers; SCC, squamous cell, carcinoma; CA19-9, cancer of the pancreas. However, to be noted is the fact that the cancer specificity of these markers are not alway high. Therefore, due caution should be exercised in the use of any one of the markers for cancer screening.
In the light of the fact that a combination assay of AFP and Ferritin is effective in diagnosis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma, combinations of dif-ferent markers are worth studying. Furthermore, the finding of blood tests and urianalyses should be checked against the measurements of markers. These efforts will certainly open up a new vista for more effective imple mentation of group cancer screening programs

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An investigation was performed about clinical histories before hospitalization in 1142 cases of gastric cancer during 16 years from 1969 to 1984.
The average term from onset of the disease to hospitalization was 4.53 months which tends to decrease becoming 3.49 months in the latest 5 years. The patients had visited 0.72 other doctor in average before coming to our hospital, 0.35 in early cancer cases and 0.83 in advanced cases. The sources of patients of our surgery were as follows ; 60.5% were introduced from medical department of our hospital, 20.2% were introduced from other clinics or hospitals, 10.6% visited our surgical department directly, and 8.7% came to us after visiting one or some other doctors. The rate of early cancer cases were high and unresectable cases were low relatively in cases from our medical department and direct visitors to our surgical department.
The causative factors of delay of hospitalization more than one month were considered from both sides of patient and doctor. The results were ; no delay 55.3%, delay due to patient's fault 28.2%, delay due to doctor's fault 19.9%. The delay of hospitalization due to either side's fault was one factor of decreasing early cancers and increasing advanced cases. Among those with no delay, however, 22.6% were unresectable cases. Gastric cancers are too malignant to be cured by visiting hospitals with complaints. Gastric mass survey among symptomeless people is the only reasonable way to come out of this difficult situation.

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The recent urbanization of rural communities and the associated changes of the living environments influenced the health conditions of children in rural districts of Shimane Prefecture, Japan. It obliged therefore to review the usual school health approach and to evaluate the care system to new trends of critical health problems of children.
A questionnaire was sent to school nurses asking their worries and problems about each step of the scientific school health procedure to recognize the health needs, to analyse the health problems, to plan the appropriate counterplans, to practice and to evaluate.
As a result of our investigations, the following remedies were necessary for the development of rural school health activities.
Firstly, the specialization of school nurses should be established without delay, and their working conditions should be more improved.
Secondary, school nurses should strengthen the contacts with teachers, parents and other school staffs to organize the developed school health system.
Finally, school nurses should make their efforts to delop the community-based school health care which connected the comprehensive community health care.

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