Smoking Habits and the Leukocyte Count

In 86,488 multiphasic examinations, mean leukocyte counts were highest in cigarette smokers, intermediate in ex-cigarette and cigar or pipe smokers, and lowest in nonsmokers. Among the races, whites had the highest, yellows next, and blacks the lowest leukocyte counts. The leukocyte count was related to quantity smoked, inhalation, and smoking duration. Most groups who changed smoking habits showed corresponding changes in leukocyte counts. Higher leukocyte counts in smokers appeared largely to be a direct effect of smoking, although a small part of the increase seemed attributable to chronic bronchitis. A contribution of genetic or constitutional differences between smokers and nonsmokers was not ruled out. “Normal” leukocyte count values should take into account age, sex, race, and smoking status.     

Community Health In a Mountain Neighborhood

To test the hypothesis that during high periods of carbon monoxide (CO) pollution, persons with acute cardiovascular disease would be adversely affected, we have studied case fatality rates for patients admitted with myocardial infarction (Ml) to 35 Los Angeles hospitals during 1958. The results indicate that there is an increased Ml case fatality rate in “high”-pollution areas and that this difference is only evident during periods of relatively increased CO pollution.

At the present time, our interpretation of these findings is that an association could exist between ME case fatality rate and atmospheric CO pollution but we cannot draw any firm conclusions about causality at this time.     

Zinc and Cadmium in Normal Human Embryos and Fetuses

Zinc and cadmium concentrations were determined in 36 first trimester intact human embryos and in liver, brain, and kidney of 14 second and 1 third trimester fetuses.

Zinc was found in all first trimester specimens. It increased sevenfold between the 31st and 35th day of gestation. Cadmium was present in 57% of specimens in concentrations from 0.032μg/gm to 0.07μg/ gm of wet tissue. In second trimester specimens, mean zinc concentration in brain was 5.6μg, in kidney 15.7μg, and in liver 167.7μg. Cadmium was present in 80% of livers (mean, 0.113μg/gm), 28% of kidneys (mean, 0.05μg/gm), and 17% of brain specimens (mean, 0 140μg/gm).

Mothers of these abortuses did not live in areas of Japan where endemic cadmium poisoning exists; however, higher cadmium content of the average Japanese diet may be reflected by cadmium concentration in these specimens.     

Trace Metals in Asbestos Carcinogenesis

Concentrations of trace metals judged potentially carcinogenic were determined in samples of amosite, crocidolite, and chrysotiie. The samples included commercial material as shipped, milled and processed material as collected in animal exposure chambers, and International Union Against Cancer (UICC) reference samples. The metals determined were cobalt, nickel, chromium, manganese, and iron. The samples were treated with hydrofluoric acid, the residue taken up with hydrochloric acid, and the determination made by atomic absorption spectrometry. Substantial enrichment of the dusts in nickel and chromium during milling and dissemination was found. Cobalt and nickel content was different from that in UICC samples.     

Immunological Deficiency Associated With Cigarette Smoke Inhalation by Mice

Inhalation of cigarette whole smoke (CWS) or its vapor phase (CVP) significantly impaired immune response capability in mice. Significant immunosuppressive effects on the humoral antibody response to a single antigenic stimulus were evident in animals exposed to smoke for seven days before or two days after administration of antigen. Impairment of the immunological response capability appeared to be temporary, with recovery about 14 days after exposure. Different lengths of exposure prior to antigenic stimulation neither produced an additive impairment of the immunological response nor rendered the experimental animals more tolerant to CWS or CVP. The immunological deficiency was specific to CWS and CVP inhalation rather than to nonspecific debilitating stress factors. The inductive phase was the period of the primary and secondary immune response most sensitive to impairment by exposure to CWS or CVP.