Nickel and blood counts in workers exposed to urban stressors.

Nickel (Ni) and Ni compounds are widely present in the urban air. The purpose of this study is to estimate exposure of individuals to Ni and the correlation between this exposure and the values of blood counts in outdoor workers. This study focused on a sample of 101 outdoor workers (55 male and 46 female; 65 nonsmokers and 36 smokers), all employed in the municipal police in a large Italian city. The personal levels of exposure to Ni were assessed through (a) environmental monitoring of Ni present in the urban air obtained from individual samples and (b) biological monitoring of urinary and blood Ni. The blood count parameters were obtained from the hemochromocytometric tests. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were calculated to assess the association between the blood and urinary Ni and the complete blood count. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine the associations between the complete blood count and the independent variables (age, gender, years of work for current tasks, cigarette smoking habit (current and never smoker), values of airborne Ni, and blood and urinary Ni). Multiple linear regression analysis performed on the total group of 101 subjects confirms the association among the red blood cells count, the hematocrit, and the urinary Ni (R(2) = 0.520, p = 0.025 and R(2) = 0.530, p = 0.030). These results should lead to further studies on the effects of Ni in working populations exposed to urban pollutants. The possibility that the associations found in our study may be partially explained by other urban pollutants (such as benzene, toluene, and other heavy metals) not taken into consideration in this study cannot be ruled out.

[Arterial pressure in workers exposed to urban stressors]. / Pressione arteriosa in lavoratori esposti a stressors urbani.

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether occupational exposure to urban stressors could cause alterations of systolic and diastolic blood pressure in "outdoor" workers. The research was conducted on a sample of 101 municipal policemen. The sample was divided in 2 groups according to length of service: group A (length of service between 1 and 15 years) and group B (length of service > 15 years). Group A and Group B were matched for age, overall length of service, cigarette smoking habit and consumption of alcohol and spirits. Group A was then divided into: Al (length of service between 1 and 7 years) and A2 (length of service between 7 and 15 years). The mean values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure at rest showed statistically significant differences with increased values in group B compared to both groups Al (p<0.05) and A2 (p<0.05). The study suggests that occupational exposure to urban stressors affects the blood pressure regulating system enhancing the risk of blood hypertension.

Overweight and urban pollution: preliminary results.

The aim of this study is to determine whether in workers exposed to urban pollution the risk of developing overweight and obesity is higher in workers exposed to urban pollution compared to a control group. The study was conducted on 150 volunteers, 75 workers exposed to urban pollution (50 women and 25 men) and 75 indoor workers (50 women and 25 men). Once measured the weight and height and calculated body mass index (BMI) for each worker, the research was based on the comparison, between the two groups, of the mean values of the measurements and of the frequency of workers with BMI index higher than the cut-off of normality. The only statistically significant difference found was for the mean value of weight in women, which was higher among outdoor workers compared to indoor workers. The mean values of BMI and the frequency of workers with BMI higher than normal was higher among outdoor workers compared to indoor workers in both sexes, but not statistically significant. The data suggest that outdoor workers may be subject to an additional risk of developing obesity as a result of exposure to urban air pollution (which, like obesity, is a source of oxidative stress). So, our preliminary study encourages to continue this line of research by implementing the sample and considering all the confounding factors. Furthermore, the results highlight the necessity to take account of gender differences in the context of health surveillance of workers.

Assessment of liver function in two groups of outdoor workers exposed to arsenic.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the exposure to arsenic (As) causes alterations of liver enzymes in two groups of outdoor workers. METHODS: Total urinary As and the levels of AST/GOT, ALT/GPT, and GGT were measured on 80 traffic policemen and 50 police drivers. Personal air samples were obtained for assessing the exposure to As on a subgroup of 20 traffic policemen and 20 police drivers. RESULTS: Mean values of personal exposure to As, urinary As, AST/GOT, and ALT/GPT were significantly higher in traffic policemen than in the police drivers. Multiple linear regression models showed associations between urinary As and airborne As, ALT/GPT and the job variables, and BMI and urinary As. CONCLUSIONS: These findings contribute toward the evaluation of the hepatic effects of exposure to As in the urban workers.

Peripheral blood counts in workers exposed to synthetic fibres.

Acrylonitrile is an intermediary with possible adverse health effects in the synthesis of organic products, such as acrylic fibres. This investigation was undertaken to determine the possible changes in the peripheral blood counts in workers of a polyacrylic fibres plant. The study involved 218 workers exposed to acrylonitrile at low doses and a control group of 200 unexposed workers. The chosen subjects underwent blood tests in order to check their haematological parameters. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of the red blood cells, haemoglobin and total number of leukocytes. An increase in the neutrophils associated with a reduction of lymphocytes, both statistically significant, was observed. The authors hypothesized that the neutrophils are influenced by the exposure to acrylonitrile at low doses.

Anesthetic gases and occupationally exposed workers.

The aim of this study is to estimate whether the occupational exposure to low dose anesthetic gases could cause alterations of blood parameters in health care workers. 119 exposed subjects and 184 not exposed controls were included in the study. Each worker underwent the complete blood count test (CBC), proteinaemia, leukocyte count, serum lipids, liver and kidney blood markers. The liver blood markers show statistically significant differences in health care workers compared with controls (p<0.05), a statistically significant decrease in neutrophils and an increase of lymphocytes in health care workers compared with controls (p<0.05). The prevalence of values outside the range for GPT, GGT, total bilirubin, lymphocytes and neutrophils was statistically significant in health care workers compared with controls (p<0.05). The results suggest that occupational exposure to low dose anesthetic gases could influence some haematochemical hepatic and hematopoietic parameters in exposed health care workers.

Urinary nickel and prolactin in workers exposed to urban stressors.

The aim of our study is to verify whether the exposure to low Ni doses in urban air may have some effects on the prolactin values of outdoor workers exposed to urban pollutants. 334 workers have been included in the study and divided on the basis of gender, job, age, length of service and smoking habits. Each worker underwent urinary Ni and prolactin sampling. The t-test for independent samples, the Mann-Whitney U test for two mode variables (gender, smoking habit), the univariate ANOVA test and the Kruskal Wallis test for the variables in more than two modes (age, length of service and job duties) were performed on the total sample. Pearson's correlation coefficient (p two-tailed) among the parameters was evaluated both in the total sample and after the stratification by gender, smoking habit and job. Multiple linear regression was performed after taking account of the major confounding factors on the total sample and on the subcategories. The statistical tests showed a significant correlation between urinary Ni and prolactin both in the total sample and in the subcategories. We believe that the occupational exposure to low doses of Ni present in urban pollution may influence the prolactin values in exposed workers.

[Perceived stress, peripheral blood counts and luxury habits]. / Stress percepito, crasi ematica e abitudini voluttuarie.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether perceived stress in the workplace can be a risk factor able to change the blood counts in a group of male and female outdoor workers of the Municipal Police. The study examines possible relations among the levels of stress, as inferred from the scores of the questionnaire, blood counts and voluptuary habits. METHODS: We evaluated a final sample of 486 subjects (345 males and 141 females). During the medical examination was performed for each subject: a) the administration of the questionnaire to assess the perception of work-related stress, b) the collection of clinical.anamnestic information related to the consumption of coffee, chocolate, alchool and smoking habit, c) the taking of a venous blood sample. All workers included in the study were divided into three groups on the basis of the scores of the questionnaire. RESULTS: About 61% of workers showed a moderate or severe stress condition, with a statistically significant prevalence (p<0.05) of female workers and younger subjects. The increase of perceived stress coincided with a significant decrease (p <0.05) of the mean levels of white blood cells and with a significant increase (p <0.05) of the consumption of coffee, chocolate and smoking habit. There was no statistically significant differences for alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the stress induces a reduction of the white blood cells, an increase of coffee and chocolate consumption and of smoking.

Cadmium and hypertension in exposed workers: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: In the general population, cadmium seems to be responsible for hypertension, atherosclerosis and an increase in acute coronary events. Therefore, the purpose of this meta-analysis was to analyze controlled studies conducted on cadmium and arterial pressure in occupationally-exposed workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After analyzing all the relevant articles found in the literature, 6 publications were selected. RESULTS: A higher prevalence of hypertension and higher values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were recorded in the exposed subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Cadmium in occupationally-exposed individuals appears to induce an increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and an increase in the prevalence of hypertension.

Correlation between total blood lead values and peripheral blood counts in workers occupationally exposed to urban stressors.

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between occupational exposure to airborne lead (Pb) and alterations in peripheral blood counts in workers of the Municipal Police assigned to different types of outdoor tasks. Then, 337 both male and female subjects were enrolled and divided on the basis of sex, cigarette smoking habit and kind of task. Exposure to airborne Pb, dosage of total blood Pb and peripheral blood count were carried out. A significant positive correlation was detected between the values of total blood Pb and values of plasma reticulocytes (%RET) both in the total sample and for all the classes of the subdivision except for police drivers. Some statistically significant correlations were present but discontinuous for other variables of peripheral blood counts. Results suggest that occupational exposure to low doses of airborne Pb is able to influence lines of the hematopoietic system in exposed workers, with special reference to %RET.

Prevalence of systemic arterial hypertension, electrocardiogram abnormalities, and noise-induced hearing loss in agricultural workers.

ABSTRACT The literature suggests that farmers nowadays are more likely to contract cardiovascular diseases than in the past. This study involved 79 farmers and 64 controls. The workers completed a questionnaire to identify exclusion factors for audiological and cardiovascular risk factors. The participants underwent medical examination, measurement of blood pressure, electrocardiogram, blood tests, audiometry, and measurement of noise exposure. The farmers were found to have a higher prevalence of systolic and diastolic arterial hypertension as well as electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities compared with the controls. A significant prevalence of arterial hypertension was detected in the farmers exposed to noise, when compared with those who were not exposed. These results suggest that farmers are at risk of cardiovascular effects and that noise is a cardiovascular risk factor for farmers.

Risk of upper extremity biomechanical overload in automotive facility.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk factors for upper extremity-work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UE-WMSD) on 13 production lines in an airbag factory using the threshold limit values-American conference of industrial hygienists- hand activity level (TLV-ACGIH-HAL) method and introduce the ergonomic improvement to reduce the repetitiveness and the peak force (Pf). METHODS: Professional exposure level on 13 production lines in a automobile factory was measured using the TLV-ACGIH-HAL method and a further risk was assessed according to the ergonomic improvement. RESULTS: The first assessment of 9 production lines showed that the professional exposure level was above the TLV or HAL limit. The second assessment showed that the professional exposure level was below the AL limit on all production lines except 1, in which the professional exposure level was between TLV and HAL. CONCLUSION: The assessment of UE-WMSD-related risk can identify the riskiest emplacements and evaluate the reduction of risk in professional exposure through interventions of structural- organizational type.

Exposure to cadmium in male urban and rural workers and effects on FSH, LH and testosterone.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the relationship between exposure to cadmium and circulating reproductive hormone levels in urban and rural male workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urinary cadmium, blood cadmium, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone were obtained from 86 non-smoking traffic policemen and 86 subjects working as roadmen in a rural area. All subjects were monitored to evaluate airborne exposure to cadmium. RESULTS: The mean value of exposure to cadmium was 1.3 ng m(-3) in traffic policemen, while the mean value was less than 0.5 ng m(-3) in roadmen. The mean concentrations of urinary cadmium (1.4 vs. 0.9 µg g(-1) creatinine; p=0.001), blood cadmium (1.1 vs. 0.7 µg l(-1); p=0.000), FSH (2.6 vs. 3.2 µlU ml(-1); p=0.02) and LH (2.6 vs. 3.1 µlU ml(-1); p=0.03) were significantly different between traffic policemen and roadmen. No differences were found in the mean values of testosterone between the two groups. Multiple linear regression models showed associations between (a) urinary cadmium, airborne cadmium, working life, job category and consumption of water from water supply (b) blood cadmium, airborne cadmium and job category (c) the values of FSH and age, working life, job category, urinary cadmium and blood cadmium (d) the values of LH and both the age and working life. CONCLUSION: The above results must be confirmed by further studies, but they indicate the influence of exposure to the cadmium present in urban air on the circulating FSH, even at low doses.

Spinal and temporo-mandibular disorders in male workers of the State Police.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are to evaluate the prevalence of disorders of the lumbar region and the temporo-mandibular district co-morbidity in drivers and workers of the State Police employed for different office activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population included 103 drivers as cases and 100 police officers as controls. The study was carried out through questionnaire and clinical evaluation of the spine and temporo-mandibular region. RESULTS: At clinical examination, the drivers were found to have a higher prevalence (p < 0.05) of both symptoms and clinical signs at the spine and temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ), when compared with the controls. The results also showed a higher prevalence (p < 0.05) of co-morbidity in the two districts among the drivers, when compared with the controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that morbidity related to back and TMJ and increase in co-morbidity between the two districts are higher in professional drivers.

[Biological risk among health workers]. / Rischio biologico in operatori sanitari.

INTRODUCTION: In health care the contact with body fluids, such as saliva or blood is frequent. The aim of our study was to analyze whether the exposure to biological risks in health care, in particular exposure to HBV and HCV, could cause alterations of some liver parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study analyzes of 254 health care workers of a big hospital in Rome. The subjects exposed to biological risks were divided into two groups, one exposed to a high biological risk and the other one exposed to a low biological risk, according to individual duties and/or the departments where they carry out their work. We checked the markers for hepatitis B and C in order to highlight a possible infection, the possible vaccine coverage and the control of the antibody titer by previous infection. We measured the values of transaminases, GGT, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and fractional proteinaemia total and electrophoresis. RESULTS: In health care workers exposed to high risk the average values of transaminases, total protein, alkaline phosphatase, gamma GT, total bilirubin were not significant compared to the some values formed in workers exposed to low risk (p > 0.05). Subjects positive for hepatitis B and C were 4% in the group of workers exposed to high risk (class 1) while in the group of workers exposed to low risk (class 2) the percentage of exposed individuals was 0.01% for the hepatitis B and 2.6% for hepatitis C. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: We found a small numbers of positive cases of hepatitis B and C in people exposed to biological agents. We did not find alterations of the average values of transaminases, total protein, alkaline phosphatase, gamma GT, total bilirubin and albumin in positive cases, so that we can say that the proper use of personal protective equipment, training and information of workers and the observance of universal precautions are effective in protecting workers.

[Shift and night work and mental health]. / Lavoro a turni e notturno e salute mentale.

Aim of our study was to evaluate the influence that shift work and night work could have on mental health. A review of literary articles from 1990 to 2011 on shift work and night work was carried out. The results of this review confirmed that the shift work and night work affect mental health with the onset of neuropsychological disorders such as mood disorders, anxiety, nervousness, depressive anxiety syndromes, chronic fatigue and chronic insomnia irritability, sleep disturbances, reduction in levels of attention, cognitive impairments, alteration of circadian rhythm. Night work and shift work cause severe desynchronization of the cronobiological rhythms and a disruption of social life with negative effects on performance at work, on health and on social relationships. In the light of these results and recognizing shift work and night work as risk factors for the health of workers is necessary to implement preventive and periodic health checks by the occupational doctor to ensure the health and safety of workers taking account of the different environmental and individual factors.

Assessment of occupational exposure to benzene, toluene and xylenes in urban and rural female workers.

OBJECTIVES: This is the first research study to compare among female, non-smoker workers: (a) the exposure to benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTXs) in urban air during work in the street (traffic policewomen, TP) vs. work in vehicles (police drivers, PD); (b) the exposure to BTXs in urban environments (in street and in car) vs. rural environments (roadwomen, RW); (c) the values of blood benzene, urinary trans, trans muconic acid (t,t-MA) and urinary S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA) in urban areas (in street and in car) vs. rural areas. METHODS: Passive personal samplings and data acquired using fixed monitoring stations located in different areas of the city were used to measure environmental and occupational exposure to BTXs during the work shift in 48 TP, 21 PD and 22 RW. In the same study subjects, blood benzene, t,t-MA and S-PMA were measured at the end of each work shift. RESULTS: Personal exposure of urban workers to benzene seemed to be higher than the exposure measured by the fixed monitoring stations. Personal exposure to benzene and toluene was (a) similar among TP and PD and (b) higher among urban workers compared to rural workers. Personal exposure to xylenes was (a) higher in TP than in PD and (b) higher among urban workers compared to rural workers. Blood benzene, t,t-MA and S-PMA levels were similar among TP and PD, although the blood benzene level was significantly higher in urban workers compared to rural workers. In urban workers, airborne benzene and blood benzene levels were significantly correlated. CONCLUSIONS: Benzene is a human carcinogen, and BTXs are potential reproductive toxins at low dose exposures. Biological and environmental monitoring to assess exposure to BTXs represents a preliminary and necessary tool for the implementation of preventive measures for female subjects working in outdoor environments.

Hemopoietic system in traffic police exposed to urban stressors.

The aim of the study is to evaluate if occupational exposure to urban stressors could cause alterations in red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations (MCHC) in traffic police compared to a control group. 694 subjects were included in the study: 347 traffic police and 347 controls matched by sex, age and length of service after excluding the subjects with the principal confounding factors. The levels of RBC, HGB, HCT were significantly higher in male (respectively p<0.001, p<0.05, p<0.01) and in female (respectively p<0.05, p<0.001, p<0.01) traffic police than in controls. The authors hypothesise that occupational exposure to urban stressors in traffic police can alter hemopoietic system.

Prolactin levels in workers exposed to chemical, physical and psycho-social urban stressors.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether traffic police officers exposed to chemical, physical and psycho-social stressors, are at risk for alterations in plasma levels of prolactin (PRL) compared to a control group. Plasma PRL levels were evaluated in 92 male and 51 female, non-smoker, traffic police officers exposed to urban stressors and in 92 male and 51 female controls, matched by sex, age and working life (mean, SD and distribution), after excluding workers with the principal extra-occupational confounding factors. Mean PRL levels were significantly higher than controls in non-smoker, male and female traffic police officers (respectively, p=0.000 and p=0.013). The number of non-smoker, male and female traffic police officers with PRL values outside the upper normal limit for our laboratory was higher than, but not significantly different from controls. Mean PRL levels were not significantly higher than controls in smoker, male and female traffic police officers. The number of smoker, male and female traffic police officers with PRL values outside the normal limit for our laboratory was not significantly different from controls. The results suggest that exposure to urban chemical and physical stressors, interacting with psychosocial factors, may have an influence on PRL levels in traffic police officers. The level of plasma PRL might be a useful early biological marker for workers exposed to urban stressors.

Exposure to traffic pollutants and effects on 17-beta-estradiol (E2) in female workers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to evaluate whether the occupational exposure to urban pollutants including endocrine disruptors (EDs) could cause alterations in plasma 17-beta-estradiol (E2) levels and related diseases (adverse pregnancy outcome and mental health disorders) in female traffic police compared to a control group. METHODS: After excluding the subjects with the principal confounding factors, traffic police and controls were matched by age, years of police work, age of menarche, menstrual cycle day, body mass index (BMI), drinking habit, cigarette smoking habit, habitual intake of soy or liquorice in diet and habitual consumption of Italian coffee. Thirty-seven traffic police and 31 controls (seventh day; follicular phase of the ovarian cycle); 38 traffic police and 42 controls (14th day; ovulatory phase of the ovarian cycle); and 25 traffic police and 28 controls (21st day; lutheal phase of the ovarian cycle) were included in the study and then matched for the above-mentioned variables. RESULTS: In follicular and in lutheal phases, mean E2 levels were significantly lower in traffic police compared to controls. The distribution of E2 values in traffic police and controls was significant in follicular, ovulatory and lutheal phases. In ovulatory phase, mean E2 levels were lower but not significant in traffic police compared to controls. An increase was found concerning mental health disorders referred to in the questionnaire items in traffic police compared to controls, although the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Considering that the potential confounding effect of extraneous factors was controlled for by restricting the study population and by matching traffic police and controls on the above-mentioned variables, our results suggest that occupational exposure to urban pollutants, EDs included, might alter E2 plasma concentrations. E2 could be used in occupational set as an early biomarker of exposure to urban pollutants, valuable for the group, even before the onset of the related pathologies (adverse pregnancy outcome and mental health disorders).