Two case reports of deaths on industrial premises attributed to 1,1,1-trichloroethane.

Two fatal poisonings resulting from exposure to 1,1,1-trichloroethane are described. Each case occurred at a separate workplace where the solvent was used as a degreasing agent. These cases are considered in light of other 1,1,1-trichloroethane poisonings reported to Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate. Factors common to these and other incidents are discussed.

Absorption study of pentachlorophenol in persons working with wood preservatives.

Plasma and urinary pentachlorophenol (PCP) was measured in 209 workers who had occupational exposure to wood preservatives containing this compound and 101 workers not exposed occupationally to PCP. Workers were examined for chloracne and blood concentrations of bilirubin, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), cholesterol and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) were determined. All the occupationally exposed groups showed evidence of PCP absorption; highest mean concentrations were found in remedial timber-treatment operatives (6.0 mmol/l for plasma and 274 nmol/mmol of creatinine for urine). Timber-yard workers also showed substantial evidence of absorption (mean plasma concentration 4.8 mmol/l). Persons formulating PCP-containing wood preservatives had the lowest concentrations of any exposed group sampled (mean plasma concentration 1.3 mmol/l, mean urinary concentration 39.6 nmol/mmol of creatinine). The occupational groups studied were not standardized for factors known to affect bilirubin, GGT, cholesterol and HDL. The inference that can be drawn from the results of these measurements is therefore limited. There was, however, no evidence of any disadvantageous effect of PCP on health as measured by these parameters. No overt case of chloracne was found.

Confirmation of the primary structure of thymosin alpha1 by microsequence analysis of limited acid and enzymatic hydrolysis fragments.

The primary structure of the 28-peptide thymosin alpha 1 as determined by Goldstein et al. (1) has been confirmed by independent procedures. Limited dilute acid digestion generated a 26-peptide and a 22-peptide both extending to the C-terminal and lacking the N-terminal blocking group. A combination of Edman microsequencing, carboxypeptidase Y and thermolysin digestion, and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry was used.

Preparation of protected peptide hydrazides from the acids and hydrazine by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-hydroxybenzotriazole coupling.

A mild procedure for preparing protected peptide hydrazides directly from the corresponding carboxylic acids and equivalent amounts of hydrazine, N-hydroxybenzotriazole and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide is described. Side reactions frequently encountered in hydrazinolysis are thus totally avoided. The process is especially useful for the preparation of aspartic acid and glutamic acid containing peptide hydrazides. No racemization of the amino acid residue was observed.