Occupational health standards have not been established for Lewisite [bis(2-chlorethyl)arsine], a potent toxic vesicant which reacts with the sulfhydryl groups of proteins through its arsenic group. The purposes of this study were to determine the reproductive consequences and dose~response of continuing Lewisite exposure of parental males and females and their offspring in a 42-week two-generation study. Solutions of Lewisite were prepared for administration by diluting the neat agent with sesame oil. Rats were administered Lewisite (0, 0.10, 0.25 or 0.60 mg/kg/day for 5 days a week) via intragastric intubation prior to mating, during mating and after mating until the birth of their offspring. The dams continued to receive Lewisite during lactation. At weaning, male and female offspring of each group were selected to continue on the study; rece1v1ng Lewisite during adolescence, mating and throughout gestation. Again, the dams continued to receive Lewisite until weaning of the offspring. Lewisite had no adverse effect on reproduction performance, fertility or reproductive organ weights of male or female rats through two consecutive generations. No adverse effect to offspring were attributed to Lewisite exposure. Minor changes in growth was the only maternal effect observed. Lewisite exposure of parental rats caused no gross or microscopic lesions …

Operation of the Gravimelt Integrated Test Circuit for desulfurization and demineralization of coal has been completed. A 48-test process matrix was performed over 750 hours of operational time resulting in production of 3,000 pounds of treated coal suitable for further test and evaluation. Optimization testing was performed resulting in product coal containing 0.4 percent sulfur (0.6 lbs SO{sub 2}/MMBtu) and 0.15 percent ash with more than 85 percent organic sulfur removal, 95 percent SO{sub 2} reduction from ROM coal and 91 percent SO{sub 2} reduction from precleaned process feed. This report contains all of the product sulfur, ash, volatiles and heat content data obtained to date.

Newsletter of the Texas Bureau of Disease Control and Epidemiology discussing the news, activities, and events of the organization and other information related to health in Texas.