44
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
and the inaccessibility of an adequate water supply at a number of quarries.
Dermatitis is the most common industrial disease; cases dis- covered by the government dermatologist are referred to the Industrial Health Section for detailed investigation of working conditions. The most important causes are the use of organic solvents and detergents..
All known lead workers are subject to a three-monthly blood count. Quantitative analyses of lead in urine are carried out in suspected cases of lead poisoning.
Radio-active powders used in local industries include luminous paint powders, used for clock and instrument dials, and thorium nitrate, used in the manufacture of gas mantles. Workers handling such materials are subject to periodic blood counts, and are re- quired to wear film badges, which are checked by the Radio- logical Protection Service of the Medical Research Council in England. 174 film badges were issued during the year, and 65 blood counts carried out as follows:
Lead workers
Luminisers
Gas mantle workers
Godown keepers
27
17
10-
11_
When cases of disease due to the patient's occupation are found, the circumstances are investigated and recommendations made in conjunction with the labour inspectorate. Where a whole trade appears to be involved, standard conditions are drawn up which can be applied to every factory; in the case of silicosis an inter-departmental committee has been set up to investigate the whole problem. In nearly every case of occupational disease it is possible to follow-up the individual workers affected and to keep their workplaces under observation.
All newly opened factories are inspected by an Industrial Health Officer who advises on environmental and occupational health problems. These inspections provide an opportunity to keep a watch for possible hazards and to make further investigations when necessary. Advice is given on the improvement of existing medical arrangements in factories. The inclusion of first aid rooms is required in all newly built factories where the size, the nature of the trade, or other circumstances warrant it and suggestions