2 . There was at best sporadic envi ronmental 
and biological monitoring for exposure to 
known carcinogens and respiratory and 
nervous system toxins. And there was a 
failure to inform workers of the resuj ts 
of this monitoring. 
3. There was no ongoing collection and analy- 
sis of relevant morbidity and mortality 
data . 
4. There was inadequate to nonexistent labelling 
of vessels and pipes containing toxic and 
carcinogenic substances. 
5. Local and general exhaust systems were poorly 
functioning to nonexistent. 
6. And finally, many of the workers were exper- 
iencing adverse health effects as a result of 
hazardous exposures. In one chemical plant, 
for example, 90 of 125 workers had abnormal 
liver function tests. 
These situations exist despite the fact that worker exposures 
are to chemicals whose effects are at least reasonably predictable 
and in some cases reversible; despite the fact that both environ- 
mental and relevant biological monitoring techniques are available; 
despite the fact OSHA regulations are applicable; and despite the 
fact that workers are represented by a strong union. In contrast 
is the situation that exists with regard to worker exposure to 
recombinant DNA molecules: 
1. The nature and reversibility of the effects of 
worker exposure to recombinant DNA molecules 
are unknown and in many cases unpredictable. 
And in fact, the effects of exposure to the 
attenuated organisms containing the recombi- 
nant DNA material are unknown. For example, 
a prospective study of the ability of the 
"benign" E. coli K 12 to colonize the uri- 
nary tract of exposed laboratory workers 
has not been done. And yet, E. coli is 
responsible for 70 to 80% of urinary tract 
infections, and such infections afflict 5% 
of a general medical clinic population. 
Urinary tract infections are a major source 
of bacterenrias , which kill 66,000 to 165,000 
persons each year. 
2. Since the effects are not known, accurate 
biological monitoring is impossible. 
Latency periods are unknown and unpredictable. 
Thus establishment of cause and effect and 
ultimate prevention of permanent adverse 
effects are impossible. 
[ 363 ] 
