Correlation between cadmium and blood counts in workers exposed to urban stressor.

The objective of this study was to assess the exposures to cadmium (Cd) in urban workers and the association between Cd exposure and values of blood counts. Urinary Cd, blood Cd, and blood counts were obtained from 355 outdoor workers; a subgroup of 99 subjects were monitored to evaluate personal exposure to airborne Cd. The mean value of personal exposure to Cd was 1.5 ng/m3 for traffic assistants and 1.2 ng/m3 for drivers. Urinary and blood Cd were correlated to the airborne Cd (respectively r=3 and r=4). The multiple linear regression models showed the associations among white blood cell, the percentage of neutrophils (NEU%), the percentage of lymphocytes (LYM%), and the concentrations of blood Cd (respectively R2=27, R2=37, R2=581). The subjects with blood Cd values higher than 1.2 µg/L showed an increase of LYM% mean values and a decrease of NEU% mean values with respect to the group with blood Cd values lower than 1.1 µg/L.

Relationship between occupational exposure to cadmium, transaminases and γ-GT in workers exposed to urban stressors.

BACKGROUND: The exposure to Cd has been linked to many disease and liver is the major target organ of Cd toxicity following acute or chronic exposure.No study has ever evaluated the association between liver function tests and exposure to Cd present in urban air in outdoor workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to assess the relationship between the exposure to urban Cd and the associated changes in liver functionality markers, we conducted a study on 110 municipal policemen divided into 2 groups according to their tasks: 60 traffic policemen and 50 drivers, underwent tests for the determination of the urinary values of Cd correlated with the blood levels of transaminases and ?-GT. Moreover we investigated the exposure to Cd in the air through a personal dosimetry on a subgroup of 40 subjects (20 traffic policemen 20 police drivers). RESULTS: The results showed that the average personal exposure to air Cd was significantly higher in traffic policemen than drivers. Furthermore, in the subset of 40 subjects and in the total sample of 110 subjects, the mean values of urinary Cd were significantly higher in traffic policemen rather than in the police drivers. No significant difference was observed in the mean values of liver functionality in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the few studies on the effects of the exposure to Cd in big cities, the results of the present study offers useful information about occupational exposure to Cd on the road and in the car and the lack of effects on liver function.

Cadmium blood/urine levels and blood pressure in workers occupationally exposed to urban stressor.

BACKGROUND: Cadmium (Cd) is a metal, which induces hypertension in animals. This may not be relevant to the human population because the number of studies is inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to identify an association between levels of blood/urinary cadmium and blood pressure in a group of employees of the municipal police assigned to outdoor activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 349 subjects of both sexes were enrolled and sorted on the basis of gender, job function and smoking habit. Blood and urinary cadmium levels and blood pressure readings were collected for each subject. The data were subjected to statistical evaluation. Pearson correlation coefficient between the variables and a linear regression curve was drawn. After eliminating the confounding factors, the multiple linear regression analysis assessed statistical differences. Associations were considered significant at p < 0.05. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The Pearson correlation showed a positive association between urinary cadmium levels and blood pressure especially for groups of women and non-smokers. The simple and multiple linear regression and t-tests confirmed these associations and underlined the influence cadmium has on diastolic blood pressure, higher than systolic blood pressure. No association was found between blood cadmium and blood pressure. In conclusion, we can say that there is a statistically significant association between urinary cadmium and diastolic blood pressure, supporting the hypothesis that cadmium has a long-term effect on diastolic blood pressure (BP).

[Stress and information-communication technologies: from videoterminal to web]. / Stress e Information-Communication Technologies: dal videoterminale al Web.

The relationship between stress and new technologies has always been a vexed question. Sociologists and philosophers say technology is a double edged sword, on one hand it increases the potential of human senses, while on the other hand it forces man to adopt rhythms and conditions not natural but artificial, with consequences for his physical and mental health. Modern Cognitive Ergonomic tries to analyze to technology, interacting with mental functions, causes stress and it tries to offer the most appropriate technological solutions for human work. From our analysis it emerges that the old media have an influence on mood causing episodes of insomnia, irritability, anxiety, etc., even if in a way that cannot be completely evaluated. Contrariwise, a controlled use of the web can improve the communication and the interacting abilities in patients with psychosocial distress and low social skills. Nielsen's Heuristics are a great tool to value methods of informatical and media interfaces.

[Meta analysis blood and urinary values in urban pollution exposed workers]. / Meta-analisi di indicatori di effetto in lavoratori esposti ad inquinamento urbano.

INTRODUCTION: Aim of this study is evaluating alteration of neuro-immune-endocrine parameters in exposed workers and estimating whether urban pollution can modify them. METHODS: Literature research. Different categories of exposed workers were included in the study (7287) and compared with controls (8054). To calculate results Effect Size (ES) and confidence interval were used. RESULTS: A correlation between urban pollution exposition and some neurogenic mediators and metabolites alterations was demonstrated; blood values can be alterated by toxicity of benzene and by xenobiotic metabolites' mechanism; follicle stimulating hormone is significantly increased in exposed versus controls. CONCLUSIONS: High heterogeneity and literature limitations, together with results of this meta analysis, induce to believe that is necessary to deepen the research about urban pollution effects on these parameters.

[Meta analysis indices of genotoxic damage in urban pollution exposed workers]. / Meta analisi degli indici di danno genotossico in lavoratori esposti a inquinamento urbano.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to examine if urban pollution can modify indices of genotoxic damage. METHODS: Research of articles inherent in the evaluation of these alterations. Differents categories of exposed workers are included in the study (cases, in number of 7287) and compaired with no exposed workers (controls, in number of 8054). To calculate the result of meta-analysis the Effect Size (ES) was used and the confidence interval was calculated. RESULTS: In this category we evaluated 54 studies and we observed significantly differences in the complex. CONCLUSIONS: Starting from the individual variables analysis investigated, between exposed and not exposed group, we underline the utility to deepen the studies concerning of these parameters, to appreciate their benefits and to safeguard health of exposed workers.