The Occupational Medicine team suspects a connection between the urethane fumes and the development of a hypersensitivity pneumonitis. With the help of a new blood test for isocyanate sensitization being developed by Dr. Carrie Redlich at Yale, the diagnosis is confirmed. A man who has worked on a ship loading dock for many years is referred for hearing loss evaluation. He reports that he cannot hear the TV at normal volume and has difficulty with speech discrimination in crowded rooms. The occupational history reveals that he has worked for 30 years without hearing protection.
Tests reveal bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in the high frequencies.
He is referred for hearing aid consultation and the work place is contacted to attempt to improve hearing protection for the other workers. A woman who works in a dental office is referred to Yale because of elevated blood mercury. She is concerned that exposure to dental amalgams is making her sick. She has been told that she will need chelation therapy. The Yale team finds that her abnormal blood test is due to methyl mercury in her diet, which relies heavily on fish, especially swordfish and tuna.