New Disease, Old Story

The paper by Kern and colleagues raises the possibility that nylon fiber, previously thought to be biologically inert, may under certain circumstances elicit a vigorous pathologic inflammatory response and suggests that the disease can largely be prevented by limiting occupational exposure to nylon fiber dust.

Abstract

Editorials15 August 1998New Disease, Old StoryFrank Davidoff, MD, EditorFrank Davidoff, MD, EditorEditorNote: Single copies of the health hazard evaluation report [6] will be available until April 2001 from NIOSH Publications Office, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226; 800-356-4674.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-129-4-199808150-00011 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Like most medical journals, Annals regularly reports new developments in clinical medicine. It is not every day, however, that we report an entirely new disease. The paper by Kern and colleagues in this issue [1] is therefore particularly noteworthy because it describes "flock worker's lung," a new and unique form of interstitial lung disease so far described only in persons who work in plants that manufacture nylon flocking-velvety textiles that are widely used in automobile upholstery, toys, and the like. Preliminary descriptions of flock worker's lung have appeared elsewhere [2, 3], and a health-hazard evaluation of the plant that employed ...References1. Kern DG, Crausman RS, Durand KT, Nayer A, Kuhn C 3d. Flock worker's lung: chronic interstitial lung disease in the nylon flocking industry. Ann Intern Med. 1998; 129:261-272. Google Scholar2. Kern DG, Durand KT, Crausman RS, Wasko RM, Burkhart J, Nayer A, et al. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia in the synthetic textile industry [Abstract]. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1997; 155:A-810. Google Scholar3. Chronic interstitial lung disease in nylon flocking industry workers-Rhode Island, 1992-1996. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1997; 38:897-901. Google Scholar4. Washko R, Burkhart J, Piacitelli C. NIOSH health hazard evaluation report. HETA 96-0093. Washington, DC: U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; April 1998. Google Scholar5. Freyer FJ. Report links factory to lung disease. Providence Journal-Bulietin. 17 April 1998:B1. Google Scholar6. Washko R, Burkhart J, Piacitelli C. NIOSH Health hazard evaluation report. HETA 96-0093. Washington, DC: U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; April 1998:37. Google Scholar7. Kern DG. The unexpected result of an investigation of an outbreak of occupational lung disease. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 1998; 4:19-32. Google Scholar8. Roush W. Publishing sensitive data: who calls the shots? Secrecy dispute pits Brown researcher against company. Science. 1997; 276:523-4. Google Scholar9. Knox RA. Hospital criticized for halting Brown researcher's work. Boston Globe. 13 May 1997:B1. Google Scholar10. Knox RA. Brown public health researcher fired. Boston Globe. 6 July 1997:B1. Google Scholar11. Hawryluk S. Hospital: Kern's status in jeopardy since 1991. Pawtucket Times. 10 July 1997. Google Scholar12. Chivers CJ. Hospital denies retaliation in firing. Providence Journal-Bulletin. 10 July 1997:B1. Google Scholar13. Celenza J. The worst damage of the Kern case. Providence Journal-Bulletin. 3 September 1997:B7. Google Scholar14. Brodkin CA, Mohr S, Frumkin H. Intimidation of researchers by special-interest groups [Letter]. N Engl J Med. 1997; 337:1317. Google Scholar15. Marsh DJ. Intimidation of researchers by special-interest groups [Letter]. N Engl J Med. 1997; 337:1317-8. Google Scholar16. Scott HD. Intimidation of researchers by special-interest groups [Letter]. N Engl J Med. 1997; 337:1318. Google Scholar17. Fulks JR. Intimidation of researchers by special-interest groups [Letter]. N Engl J Med. 1997; 337:1318. Google Scholar18. Kern DG, Durand KT. Intimidation of researchers by special-interest groups [Letter]. N Engl J Med. 1997; 337:1319. Google Scholar19. Knox RA. Threat to workers' lungs is disclosed. Boston Globe. 18 April 1998:B1. Google Scholar20. Schuchman M. Secrecy in science: the flock worker's lung investigation. Ann Intern Med. 1998; 129:341-4. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: EditorNote: Single copies of the health hazard evaluation report [6] will be available until April 2001 from NIOSH Publications Office, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226; 800-356-4674. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoFlock Worker's Lung: Chronic Interstitial Lung Disease in the Nylon Flocking Industry David G. Kern , Robert S. Crausman , Kate T.H. 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Karnik, MD, FRCPNylon velouteringslong: chronische interstitiële longziekteThat Was the Century That Was: Historical Perspectives on Medical Life at the Fin de SiècleRussell C. Maulitz, MD, PhDThe Making and Unmaking of a JournalFrank Davidoff, MDPersonal Reflections on Occupational Health in the Twentieth Century: Spiraling to the FutureFlock Worker's LungLawrence W. Raymond, MDSecrecy in Science: The Flock Worker's Lung InvestigationDavid G. Kern, MD, Robin K. Kern, JD, and Kate T.H. Durand, MHS, CIHCorrection: Error in ReferenceMedical journals and the shaping of medical knowledge* 15 August 1998Volume 129, Issue 4Page: 327-328KeywordsAcademic medicineEndotoxinsHealth promotionHospital medicineInterstitial lung diseasesLungsPrevention, policy, and public healthResearch designScientistsToxicity ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 15 August 1998 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1998 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...