RESUMO
With the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, numerous countries imposed strict lockdown measures and travel bans, resulting in the closure of hotels. Over time, the opening of hotel units was gradually allowed, and new strict regulations and protocols were issued to ensure the hygiene and safety of swimming pools in the era of COVID-19. The present study aimed to evaluate the implementation of strict health COVID-19-related protocols in hotel units during the 2020 summer tourist season concerning microbiological hygiene and physicochemical parameters of water, and to compare the data with those from the 2019 tourist season. For this reason, 591 water samples from 62 swimming pools were analyzed, of which 381 samples were for the 2019 tourist season and 210 samples were for the 2020 tourist season. To examine the presence of Legionella spp, 132 additional samples were taken from 14 pools, of which 49 in 2019 and 83 in 2020. In 2019, 2.89% (11/381) of the samples were out of legislative limits (0/250 mg/l) regarding the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli), 9.45% (36/381) were out of acceptable limits (0/250 mg/l) regarding the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and 8.92% (34/381) had residual chlorine levels <0.4 mg/l. In 2020, 1.43% (3/210) of the samples were out of the legislative limits as regards the presence of E. coli, 7.14% (15/210) were out of acceptable limits regarding the presence of P. aeruginosa and 3.33% (7/210) of the samples measured residual chlorine levels <0.4 mg/l. The risk ratio (RR) in relation to the presence of E. coli due to incorrect compliance with the requirements for residual chlorine was calculated for 2019 at 8.50, while in 2020 it was calculated at 14.50 (P=0.008). The RR of the presence of P. aeruginosa due to inappropriate residual chlorine requirements was calculated in 2019 at 2.04 (P=0.0814), while in 2020 it was calculated at 2.07 (P=0.44). According to the microbiological hygiene and physicochemical parameters of the water samples studied, there was a significant improvement due to the strict protocols for the swimming pools in the summer season of 2020 compared to the tourist season of 2019, namely 72.72% (E. coli), 58.33% (P. aeruginosa), 79.41% (of residual chlorine <0.4 mg/l) in the three main parameters studied. Finally, an increased colonization by Legionella spp. detected in the internal networks of the hotels due to the non-operation of the hotels during the lockdown, the improper disinfection and stagnant water in the internal water supply networks. Specifically, in 2019, 95.92% (47/49) of the samples tested negative and 4.08% (2/49) tested positive (≥50 CFU/l) for Legionella spp., compared to 2020 where 91.57% (76/83) of the samples tested negative and 8.43% (7/83) tested positive.
RESUMO
Food safety constitutes a basic priority for public health. Foodborne botulism occurs worldwide; it is an acute paralytic disease caused by the consumption of food containing the botulinum toxin. Growing consumer demand for cheese products could result in increased exposure of the population to this toxin, and thus the risk of foodborne botulism. The majority of cases of botulism caused by dairy products are related to cheese products specifically. Epidemic outbreaks and isolated cases have been reported over time. Domestically canned foods are still among the primary causes of the disease. Cheese products are not regularly involved in botulism incidents; it is however, necessary to take control measures for manufacturing and domestic preparation due to the high risk of occurrence of this particular disease. The aim of this review is to discuss foodborne botulism caused by cheese products, providing a brief epidemiological history, and to examine certain control measures that should be taken throughout the production process to better protect public health.
RESUMO
Chronic exposure of workers to powder containing crystalline silica (Silicon dioxide; SiO2) can lead to chronic lung diseases (lung cancer, silicosis, etc.). Aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure of Greek construction workers to SiO2 and describe their pulmonary function. The study involved 86 outdoor and underground workers. Medical and professional history was obtained, and breath samples were collected at morning hours through a mask for the determination of SiO2 levels. Pulmonary function tests, radiological examination and evaluation of radiographs were also performed. Pulmonary function examination showed that the majority of the workers were within normal range (61.4%) while the rest were diagnosed with mild (26.5%) and more severe impairment (7.24%). Working conditions (underground-outdoor) were statistically significantly related to the categorization of pulmonary function (P=0.038). During radiological examination, the type of working activity/ conditions (underground-outdoor) were statistically significantly related to the categorization of these findings (P=0.044). Of the 69 employees, 52 did not present findings (75.4%) and 5 were diagnosed with findings specific to occupational diseases (7.23%). Environmental exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) was detected at 0.0125 mg/m3 in the workplace, which is not beyond the legal limits. Underground workers with more than 15 years of exposure to SiO2 are more likely to present chronic silicosis compared to the workers of outdoor activities.