60
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
Industrial Health Officer of all cases of industrial disease coming to their knowledge, and the help of private practi- tioners was also sought through the local medical associa- tions. The number of cases thus notified was not large, but the information obtained was of great value. Cases of silicosis, lead poisoning and dermatitis were the most im- portant of those brought to notice.
Silicosis is known to be a risk of workers in the stone crushing and quarry industry, where cases occur from time to time, but a more serious incidence of the disease was found in small factories-where quartz is crushed for in- dustrial purposes. Lead poisoning occurred in foundries where scrap metal is melted to recover the lead; these factories are small and the control of poisoning is difficult. Dermatitis appeared in a wide range of industries, the most important being the dyeing trade. Preventive measures are being introduced into all these trades, but rapid reform is not easy to bring about in old established processes.
The following table shows the number of industrial diseases notified in 1957:
Silicosis (a) due to work in quarries
сл
(b) due to work in quartz crushing factories 3
Lead poisoning
Paranitroaniline poisoning
Dermatitis
Erysipeloid
Paraesthesia due to vibrating tools
Fatigue fracture of ribs
Total
5
8
1
3
42
1
1
4
60
Surveys of trades known from past experience to present risks to workers were carried out, and by this means the first cases of lead poisoning and of silicosis were detected. In the luminizing industry and other trades involving the handling of radioactive substances, no cases of disease were discovered. Precautions were taken to prevent the develop- ment of any cases of radiation poisoning. Other industries