The association of three DNA repair genes polymorphisms on the frequency of chromosomal alterations detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

PURPOSE: Gas station workers (GSWs) are exposed to carcinogenic agents. The aim was to study the association of high somatic chromosome alterations (CAs) rates in the blood of GSWs and the polymorphisms of three genes playing a role in DNA double-strand break repair. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with 114 GSWs and 115 age-matched controls. Cytogenetic analyses, blood exams, medical interviews and genotypes for RAD51/G135C (rs1801320), ATM/P1054R (rs1800057) and CHEK2/T470C (rs17879961) genes were performed. RESULTS: The CA rate in GSWs was 9.8 CAs/1000 metaphases, and 19.1% of the workers had > 10 CAs per 1000 metaphases (group two). GSWs had decreased levels of monocytes (P = 0.024) in their blood exams. The number of variant alleles of the RAD51/G135C polymorphism was higher in GSWs (P = 0.011) compared to the controls, and were associated with enhanced number of CAs per worker (P = 0.008). No allele variant was found for CHEK2/T470C in this study. CONCLUSION: The RAD51/G135C polymorphism appears to be related to genome instability in gas station workers. Increasing the knowledge of DNA repair gene variations involved in maintaining genomic stability in GSWs may be crucial for future cancer prevention.

Investigation of occupational risk factors for the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in adults: A hospital-based case-control study.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) is a malignancy of the lymphoid lineage of the hematopoietic system has worldwide, especially in developed countries. Better diagnostic and recording techniques, longer life expectancy, and greater exposure to risk factors are hypotheses for this growing incidence curve. Occupational exposures to chemical, biological, and physical agents have also been associated with NHL development, but the results are still controversial. We have investigated the occupational and lifestyle case-control study design with 214 adult patients and 452 population controls. Socio-demographic, clinical, and occupational exposure data were obtained through individual interviews with a standardized questionnaire. Clinical, laboratory, and histopathological data were obtained through medical records. Risk of NHL (any subtype), B-cell lymphoma, DLBCL, Follicular lymphoma and T-cell lymphoma was elevated among the those who had ever been exposed to any solvents, hydrocarbon solvents, pesticides, meat and meat products, and sunlight and tended to increase by years of exposure. A significant upward trend with years of exposure was detected for any solvents and hydrocarbon solvents (NHL (any subtype) p-value for trend<0.001), B-cell lymphoma (p-value for trend<0.001), and T-cell lymphoma (p-value for trend<0.023), pesticides (NHL (any subtype), p for trend<0.001) and T-cell lymphoma (p for trend<0.002), meat and meat products (NHL (any subtype) (p for trend<0.001) and DLBCL (p for trend<0.001), and sunlight (B-cell lymphoma (p for trend<0.001). The results of this study agree line with other international studies, can be extrapolated to other countries that have the same socio-demographic and occupational characteristics as Brazil and support strategies for surveillance and control of work-related cancer.

Accident and social security benefits granted to cancer patients in Brazil, 2008-2014. / Benefícios acidentários e previdenciários concedidos a portadores de câncer no Brasil, 2008-2014.

This article aims to describe the distribution of cancer among the benefits granted by the General Social Security Registry, from 2008 to 2014, in Brazil. Ecological study using data given by the National Social Security Institute. The proportion of accidental (work-related) and social security (general) benefits granted by cancer in Brazil was determined, among the benefits granted for all causes, and a spatial analysis was conducted to assess the geographical distribution of these proportions, with the states Brazilians as a unit of analysis. Cancer was the reason for granting 533,438 benefits (2.9% of the total benefits granted for all causes), with a predominance of females in social security benefits (53.7%) and males in accidental benefits (71.6 %). The highest proportions of social security benefits for cancer occurred in North and Midwest regions. In 19 of the 26 Brazilian states (including all states in the southern region) and in the Federal District, there was no granting of accident benefits for cancer. The analysis of the occurrences of cancer that generated benefit concessions suggests a disproportionality in granting of social security benefits in relation to accident workers, mainly in North, Northeast and South regions of Brazil.

O objetivo deste artigo é descrever a distribuição do câncer entre os benefícios concedidos pelo Registro Geral da Previdência Social (RGPS), de 2008 a 2014, no Brasil. Estudo ecológico com dados cedidos pelo Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social (INSS). Determinou-se a proporção de benefícios acidentários (relacionados ao trabalho) e previdenciários (gerais) concedidos por câncer no Brasil, entre os benefícios concedidos por todas as causas e realizou-se uma análise espacial para avaliar a distribuição geográfica dessas proporções, tendo os estados brasileiros como unidade de análise. O câncer foi motivo de concessão de 533.438 benefícios (2,9% do total de benefícios concedidos por todas as causas), com predomínio do sexo feminino nos benefícios previdenciários (53,7%) e do sexo masculino nos benefícios acidentários (71,6%). As maiores proporções de benefícios previdenciários por câncer ocorreram nas regiões Norte e Centro-Oeste. Em 19 dos 26 estados brasileiros e no Distrito Federal não houve concessão de benefício acidentário por câncer. A análise das ocorrências de câncer que geraram concessões de benefícios do RGPS sugere uma desproporcionalidade da concessão de benefícios previdenciários em relação aos acidentários, principalmente nas regiões Norte, Nordeste e Sul do Brasil.

Hematological Changes in Gas Station Workers.

(1) Background: Benzene, toluene, and xylene isomers (BTX) are present in gasoline. Exposure to benzene may lead to the appearance of a series of signs, symptoms, and complications, which are characterized by benzene poisoning, which is an occupational disease. This study evaluated the presence of signs and symptoms related to occupational exposure and whether occupational exposure to BTX is associated with the development of hematological changes. (2) Material and Methods: This cross-sectional epidemiological study included 542 participants, in which 324 were gas station workers (GSWs) and 218 were office workers (OWs) with no occupational exposure to benzene. To characterize the type of exposure (exposed and not exposed), trans,trans-Muconic acid (tt-MA), Hippuric acid (HA), and Methylhippuric acid (MHA) were used as exposure biomarkers. The tt-MA analysis revealed that the GSWs had 0.29 mg/g of urinary creatinine and the OWs had 0.13 mg/g of urinary creatinine. For HA, the GSWs presented 0.49 g/g of creatinine while the OWs presented 0.07. MHA analysis revealed that the GSWs had 1.57 g/g creatinine and the OWs had 0.01 g/g creatinine. Occupation habits and clinical symptoms were collected by questionnaire and blood samples were analyzed for hematological parameters. The persistence of hematological changes was evaluated with three serial blood collections every 15 days followed by laboratory hematological analysis. A descriptive analysis by the Chi-square test method was performed to evaluate the association between occupational exposure to fuels and the occurrence of changes in hematological parameters. (3) Results: In the GSWs, the most described signs and symptoms were somnolence (45.1%), headache (38.3%), dizziness (27.5%), tingling (25.4%), and involuntary movement (25%). Twenty GSWs that presented hematological alterations performed serial collections fifteen days apart. In addition, these workers presented total leukocyte counts above the upper limit and lymphocyte counts close to the lower limit. Leukocytosis and lymphopenia are hematological alterations present in chronic benzene poisoning. (4) Conclusions: The results found an initial change in different hematological parameters routinely used in clinics to evaluate health conditions. These findings reveal the importance of valuing clinical changes, even in the absence of disease, during the health monitoring of gas station workers and other groups that share the same space.

Risks related to the domestic laundering of filling station attendant uniforms: advances and uncertainties.

Gasoline is the most common transportation fuel in Brazil, with up to 1% of benzene. Benzene is a health-damaging organic solvent that is extensively used worldwide, being classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (Group 1). Many workers at filling stations are exposed to benzene, present in gasoline. The main routes of exposure and absorption of benzene are inhalation, oral, and dermal routes. The penetration and maintenance of benzene and other chemicals on personal protective equipment and clothing of workers who manipulate these solvents may increase their levels of exposure and offer risks to their family members, since contaminated clothing is laundered at their homes, which goes against legislative framework (Annex 2, Regulatory Standard No. 9). This way, the objective of this work was to discuss the importance of periodic changes and cleaning of filling station attendant uniforms performed by employers as preventive measures against the deterioration of the health of workers and their family members. We performed a narrative review; no systematic criteria were used in the search for national and international studies. After critical reading, we observed a lack of consistent data on this theme. Laundering of uniforms worn by filling station attendants should take place outside the domestic environment in order to protect the health of workers and their family members and avoid possible cross-contamination.

Gasoline-station workers in Brazil: Benzene exposure; Genotoxic and immunotoxic effects.

Chronic exposure to benzene is a risk factor for hematological malignancies. Gasoline-station workers are exposed to benzene in gasoline, via both inhalation and dermal contact (attendants and managers) or inhalation (workers in the on-site convenience stores and offices). We have studied the exposure of these workers to benzene and the resulting genotoxic and immunotoxic effects. Levels of urinary trans, trans-muconic acid were higher among gasoline-station workers than among office workers with no known exposure to benzene (comparison group). Among the exposed workers, we observed statistically significant biological effects, including elevated DNA damage (comet assay); higher frequencies of micronuclei and nuclear buds (CBMN assay); lower levels of T-helper lymphocytes and naive Th lymphocytes; lower CD4 / CD8 ratio; and higher levels of NK cells and memory Th lymphocytes. Both groups of exposed workers (inhalation and inhalation + dermal routes) showed similar genotoxic and immunotoxic effects.

Analysis of Benzene Exposure in Gas Station Workers Using Trans,Trans-Muconic Acid.

In Brazil, gas station workers are occupationally exposed to the benzene present in gasoline. Brazilian law indicates the use of trans,trans-muconic acid(t,t-MA) as a biomarker of benzene exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of exposure to benzene in gas station workers, through the quantification of t,t-MA present in urine. A total number of 269 gas station workers divided into 179 filling station attendants exposed by inhalation and dermal route and 90 convenience store workers exposed only by inhalation were included. A control group was formed by 100 office workers, without occupational exposure to benzene. The urinary levels of t,t-MA were evaluated by HPLC with a UV detector. Gas station workers showed higher mean values of t,t-MA (0.204 mg/g creatinine; 95% CI 0.170-0.237) than office workers (0.126 mg/g creatinine; 95% CI 0.0817-0.1693). T,t-MA levels were higher in convenience store workers exposed to gasoline only by inhalation (0.221 mg/g creatinine; 95% CI 0.160-0.282), than in those exposed to gasoline by inhalation and dermal route-filling station attendants (0.195 mg/g creatinine; 95% CI 0.155-0.235). Gas station workers with a higher level of t,t-MA had epistaxis. T,t-MA values were higher in the Downtown (0.15 mg/g creatinine) region's workers than in the more affluent South Zone region's workers (0.07 mg/g creatinine). Smoking habits influenced the urinary t,t-MA values, while the frequency of consumption of industrialized and frozen foods showed no influence.

Hypermethylation in Gene Promoters Are Induced by Chronic Exposure to Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylenes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Gas station attendants are occupationally exposed to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) compounds and thus more susceptible to the biological effects of this mixture present in gasoline, especially due to the carcinogenicity of benzene. Furthermore, the harmful effects of BTEX exposure may be potentiated by genetic and epigenetic inactivation of critical genes. The objective was to evaluate such gene-BTEX interactions accessing the promoter methylation status of p14ARF, p16INK4A and GSTP1 in peripheral blood leukocyte samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 59 exposed and 68 unexposed participants from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were included. The promoter methylation status was accessed by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism was investigated by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. RESULTS: Both p14ARF and p16INK4A were significantly hypermethylated in exposed subjects compared to unexposed (p = 0.004 and p<0.001, respectively). Additionally, p16INK4A hypermethylation in the exposed group was correlated with chromosomal abnormalities (CAs) (p = 0.018), thus highlighting the influence of the gene-environment interactions on genome instability. Noteworthy, p16INK4A methylation was significantly associated with miscarriage among female attendants (p = 0.047), in which those who reported miscarriage exhibited hypermethylation in at least 2 of the 3 genes analyzed. The GSTP1 heterozygote genotype, which could affect the metabolism of benzene detoxification, was found in both groups but was more frequent in those occupationally exposed. No significant association was observed between GSTP1 genotypes and methylation status. CONCLUSION: Together, these findings indicate that gas station attendants with the aforementioned epigenetic and genetic profiles may be at greater risk of occupational BTEX exposure-induced genome instability, which could require concerted efforts to establish more preventive actions and constant biomonitoring in gas station attendants.

Occurrence of green tobacco sickness and associated factors in farmers residing in Dom Feliciano Municipality, Rio Grande do Sul State, Southern Region of Brazil.

This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of the green tobacco sickness (GTS) and its associated factors in tobacco familiar farmers residing in Dom Feliciano, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted evaluating the sickness in 354 small tobacco farmers, between October 2011 and March 2012. The urinary concentration of cotinine, a biomarker of exposure to nicotine, was determined during the tobacco harvest period. Subjects presenting cotinine urinary levels ≥ 50ng/mL, that had contact with tobacco leaves up to 48 hours before the sample collection and reported at least one disease symptom were deemed as cases. A non-conditional logistic analysis was performed to evaluate the association between GTS and the population characteristics. A total of 122 (34.5%) cases were identified, with 39% of them being smokers and 61% being males. The median cotinine urinary concentrations were 75.6ng/mL (74.1ng/mg of creatinine) for non-cases and 755.8ng/mL (632.1ng/mg of creatinine) for the cases (p-value ≤ 0.01). The multivariate analysis showed a positive association between GTS and sunlight exposure time, exposure to pesticides, worse health status, and inverse association with wood cultivation. This study presented a high GTS prevalence and suggest that the use of urinary cotinine is a significant biomarker to determine GTS cases, influencing in the distribution by sex. Once the tobacco production involves health hazards, is important to implement measures to prevent the harm caused to tobacco farmers, as set in articles 17 and 18 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Profile of healthcare workers involved in accidents with exposure to biological materials in Brazil from 2011 through 2015: surveillance aspects.

BACKGROUND: Accidents involving biological materials among healthcare providers represent a significant public health problem since they increase the risk of acquisition of viral infections considered to be risk factors for cancer. OBJECTIVE: To describe the profile of workplace accidents involving biological materials for healthcare providers. METHOD: The profile of accidents for the period from 2011 to 2015 was described based on several sociodemographic, occupational and health variables. Specific incidence rates were stratified in three levels to categorize the Brazilian municipalities as a function of the frequency of events. RESULTS: Victims were mainly female, nursing technicians and assistants, events mostly occurred during surgical procedures or intravenous medication administration, however, underreporting cannot be ruled out. CONCLUSION: The results point to the need for preventive programs to ensure the physical integrity of healthcare professionals, including continuous training, discussion and participation of the involved parties to achieve a positive impact.

INTRODUÇÃO: Os acidentes com material biológico decorrentes de processos de serviços e cuidados em saúde caracterizam relevante problema de saúde pública, pois aumentam o risco de aquisição de infecções virais consideradas fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de câncer. OBJETIVO: Descrever o perfil dos acidentes com exposição a material biológico em profissionais da área da saúde durante o desenvolvimento do seu trabalho, fomentando a discussão sobre a importância dos determinantes desses acidentes para a vigilância em saúde do trabalhador. MÉTODO: Para traçar o perfil dos profissionais acidentados foram descritas variáveis sociodemográficas, ocupacionais e de saúde entre 2011 e 2015. As taxas de incidência específicas foram estratificadas em três níveis para classificação dos municípios segundo a magnitude da ocorrência do agravo. RESULTADOS: Os acidentes ocorrem, em sua maioria, entre mulheres, técnicas e auxiliares de enfermagem, durante procedimento cirúrgico e administração de medicação endovenosa, porém pode haver subnotificação. CONCLUSÃO: Os achados ressaltam a necessidade de implementação de planos preventivos que garantam a integridade física dos cuidadores em saúde, nos quais sua construção englobe processos contínuos de formação, discussão e colaboração de todas as partes envolvidas visando ao impacto positivo dessa realidade.

[Profile of smokers not searching for smoking cessation intervention in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]. / Perfil dos fumantes que não buscam tratamento para deixar de fumar, município do Rio de Janeiro.

It is essential to understand that not all smokers are equal, and that certain smokers need to be "won" as "potential clients" of an intervention program aimed at addressing their specific needs. Thus, the objective of the article was to compare the profile of smokers recruited for a smoking cessation clinical trial with that of the general smoking population in the city of Rio de Janeiro, in the years 2002-2003. Heterogeneities observed may indicate the need for adopting different recruitment strategies, associated with the existing interventions, to encourage as many and as diverse eligible individuals as possible.

[Self-rated health and physical disabilities due to health (corrected) problems]. / Auto-avaliação de saúde e limitações físicas decorrentes de problemas de saúde.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate self-rated health and physical disabilities due to health problems. METHODS: Population-based cross-sectional study carried out in 18 Brazilian cities between 2002 and 2005. There were interviewed 26,424 residents (aged 15 years or more) of households selected by a two-stage probabilistic sampling. Percentages and confidence intervals were calculated considering the study design effects. RESULTS: Poorer self-rated health status and physical disabilities were found among women, those aged 50 years old or more and those with lower education. In addition, higher percentages of fair or poor self-rated health were found in cities in Northern and Northeastern Brazil compared to those in Southern and Southeastern Brazil. CONCLUSIONS: Poorer health conditions in the North/Northeast compared to the South/Southeast regions reflect factors related to social inequalities, mainly lower education.

Câncer segundo a Atividade Econômica na Região Sudeste do Brasil: Benefícios Concedidos pelo Regime Geral de Previdência Social / Cancer per Economic Activity at Brazil's Southeast Region: Benefits Granted by the Brazilian Social Security System / Cáncer según Actividad Económica en la Región Sudeste del Brasil: Beneficio Concedido por el Sistema General de Seguridad Social de Brasil

Introdução: Apesar da importância econômica da Região, ainda existem poucos estudos na literatura sobre o câncer ocupacional na Região Sudeste do Brasil. Objetivo: Comparar a distribuição do câncer entre os benefícios concedidos pelo Regime Geral da Previdência Social (RGPS), por ramo de atividade econômica do segurado, no período de 2008 a 2014, na Região Sudeste do Brasil. Método: Foram calculadas as proporções de benefícios acidentários (relacionados ao trabalho) e previdenciários (geral) concedidos por câncer, segundo o ramo de atividade econômica do segurado (bancário, comerciário, transporte e carga, ferroviário, industriário, marítimo, serviço público, rural e não preenchido). Resultados: O câncer representou 3,07% (271.086) dos benefícios concedidos por todas as causas. Os ramos de atividades comerciário e rural tiveram as maiores proporções de benefícios concedidos por câncer, em todos os Estados. Para ambos, as principais localizações de câncer que motivaram a concessão de benefícios previdenciários foram mama e próstata, e as outras neoplasias malignas da pele foram a principal localização para os benefícios acidentários. Conclusão: A desproporcionalidade entre o número de benefícios previdenciários e acidentários concedidos por câncer sugere erro em muitos benefícios, desfavorecendo os acidentários. O aprimoramento das anamneses do trabalhador pelo médico perito, com a utilização de documentos complementares, pode auxiliar no estabelecimento do nexo causal entre a atividade profissional e o câncer, concedendo benefícios acidentários quando houver esse nexo. Adicionalmente, ainda são necessárias estratégias de vigilância para subsidiar a implementação de ações de prevenção do câncer ocupacional na Região Sudeste do Brasil

Introduction: Despite the economic importance of the Region, there are still few studies in the literature about occupational cancer in Brazil's Southeast Region. Objective: Compare the distribution of cancer-related benefits granted by the Brazilian Social Security System (RGPS) by economic activity of the insured individual, between 2008 and 2014, at Brazil's Southeast Region. Method: The proportions of cancer-related accidental (work-related) and social security (general) benefits granted, according to the economic activity of the insured individual (bank cashier, salesperson, transport and freight worker, railway worker, industrial worker, sailor, public servant, rural worker, and blank) were calculated. Results: Cancer represented 3.07% (271,086) of the benefits granted for all causes. Commercial and rural activities showed the largest proportions of cancer-related benefits granted in all States. For both activities, breast and prostate cancers were the main locations that justified the approval of social security benefits, and other malignant skin neoplasms were the main locations for accidental benefits. Conclusion: The disproportionality between the number of cancer-related social security and accidental benefits granted suggests an error in many benefits, disfavoring accidental benefits. The improvement of the anamneses of the worker by the medical expert, with the use of additional documents, can aid the establishment of the causal link between the professional activity and the cancer developed, granting accidental benefits when this link exists. Moreover, surveillance strategies to boost the implementation of actions to prevent occupational cancer are still necessary at that Region

Introducción: A pesar de la importancia económica de la Región, todavía hay pocos estudios en la literatura sobre el cáncer ocupacional en la Región Sudeste del Brasil. Objetivo: Comparar la distribución del cáncer entre los beneficios otorgados por el Sistema General de Seguridad Social (RGPS), según la actividad económica del asegurado, de 2008 a 2014, en la Región Sudeste del Brasil. Método: Se calcularon las proporciones de los beneficios accidentales (laborales) y previsionales (generales) otorgados por cáncer, de acuerdo con la actividad económica del asegurado (bancaria, comercial, transporte y carga, ferroviaria, industrial, marítima, servicio público, rural y no llenado). Resultados: El cáncer representó el 3,07% (271.086) de los beneficios por todas las causas. Las actividades comerciales y rurales tuvieron las mayores proporciones de beneficios otorgados por cáncer, en todos los estados. Para ambos, las principales localizaciones de cáncer que motivaron el otorgamiento de los beneficios de la seguridad social fueron las de mama y próstata, y otras neoplasias malignas de la piel fueron la principal localización de los beneficios accidentales. Conclusión: La desproporción entre el número de beneficios de seguridad social y de accidentes otorgados por cáncer sugiere un error en muchos beneficios, desfavoreciendo los por accidentes. El perfeccionamiento de las anamnesis del trabajador por parte del perito médico, con el uso de documentos complementarios, puede ayudar a establecer el nexo de causalidad entre la actividad profesional y el cáncer, otorgando beneficios accidentales cuando exista dicho nexo. Además, todavía se necesitan estrategias de vigilancia para apoyar la implementación de acciones de prevención del cáncer ocupacional en la Región Sudeste del Brasil

Benefícios acidentários e previdenciários concedidos a portadores de câncer no Brasil, 2008-2014 / Accident and social security benefits granted to cancer patients in Brazil, 2008-2014

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é descrever a distribuição do câncer entre os benefícios concedidos pelo Registro Geral da Previdência Social (RGPS), de 2008 a 2014, no Brasil. Estudo ecológico com dados cedidos pelo Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social (INSS). Determinou-se a proporção de benefícios acidentários (relacionados ao trabalho) e previdenciários (gerais) concedidos por câncer no Brasil, entre os benefícios concedidos por todas as causas e realizou-se uma análise espacial para avaliar a distribuição geográfica dessas proporções, tendo os estados brasileiros como unidade de análise. O câncer foi motivo de concessão de 533.438 benefícios (2,9% do total de benefícios concedidos por todas as causas), com predomínio do sexo feminino nos benefícios previdenciários (53,7%) e do sexo masculino nos benefícios acidentários (71,6%). As maiores proporções de benefícios previdenciários por câncer ocorreram nas regiões Norte e Centro-Oeste. Em 19 dos 26 estados brasileiros e no Distrito Federal não houve concessão de benefício acidentário por câncer. A análise das ocorrências de câncer que geraram concessões de benefícios do RGPS sugere uma desproporcionalidade da concessão de benefícios previdenciários em relação aos acidentários, principalmente nas regiões Norte, Nordeste e Sul do Brasil.

Abstract This article aims to describe the distribution of cancer among the benefits granted by the General Social Security Registry, from 2008 to 2014, in Brazil. Ecological study using data given by the National Social Security Institute. The proportion of accidental (work-related) and social security (general) benefits granted by cancer in Brazil was determined, among the benefits granted for all causes, and a spatial analysis was conducted to assess the geographical distribution of these proportions, with the states Brazilians as a unit of analysis. Cancer was the reason for granting 533,438 benefits (2.9% of the total benefits granted for all causes), with a predominance of females in social security benefits (53.7%) and males in accidental benefits (71.6 %). The highest proportions of social security benefits for cancer occurred in North and Midwest regions. In 19 of the 26 Brazilian states (including all states in the southern region) and in the Federal District, there was no granting of accident benefits for cancer. The analysis of the occurrences of cancer that generated benefit concessions suggests a disproportionality in granting of social security benefits in relation to accident workers, mainly in North, Northeast and South regions of Brazil.

Prevalência de possíveis exposições cancerígenas ocupacionais em trabalhadores brasileiros: o que mostra a Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde? / Prevalence of possible occupational carcinogenic exposures in Brazilian workers: what does the National Health Survey say?

Resumo Objetivo: estimar a prevalência de possíveis exposições cancerígenas em trabalhadores brasileiros. Métodos: estudo transversal, com dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde de 2019. Calcularam-se prevalências e respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%) para possível exposição a seis carcinógenos ocupacionais: radiação solar, substâncias químicas, poeiras minerais, material radioativo, trabalho noturno e tabagismo passivo no trabalho, segundo ocupação e sexo, considerando o desenho complexo da amostra. Resultados: foram incluídos 44.822 trabalhadores, 56,33% do sexo masculino. Referiram exposição a pelo menos um agente cancerígeno do grupo 1, segundo classificação da International Agency for Research on Cancer, 49,0% (IC95% 47,8;50,2) dos trabalhadores do sexo masculino e 16,9% (IC95% 16,0;17,9) do feminino. Trabalhadores do sexo masculino, em comparação ao feminino, apresentaram maiores prevalências de exposição à radiação solar (38,1% [IC95% 37,0;39,3] vs 6,6% [IC95% 6,0;7,2]), agentes químicos (19,4% [IC95% 18,5;20,5] vs 8,3% [IC95% 7,6;9,1]), poeiras minerais (18,9% [IC95% 17,9;20,0] vs 3,3% [IC95% 2,9;3,8]), trabalho noturno (15,5% [IC95% 14,7;16,5] vs 9,4% [IC95% 8,6;10,2) e tabagismo passivo (14,3% [IC95% 13,3;15,4] vs 8,2% [IC95% 7,6;9,0]). Conclusão: a prevalência da exposição a possíveis carcinógenos ocupacionais é elevada e desigualmente distribuída por sexo e ocupação. Ações de redução, substituição e eliminação desses carcinógenos devem ser priorizadas.

Abstract Objective: to estimate the prevalence of possible carcinogenic exposures in Brazilian workers. Methods: cross-sectional study, with data from the 2019 National Health Survey. We calculated the prevalences and respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for possible exposure to six occupational carcinogens: solar radiation, chemical substances, mineral dust, radioactive material, night work, and passive smoking at work, according to occupation and sex, considering the complex sample design. Results: 44,822 workers were included, 56.33% were male. Reported exposure to at least one carcinogenic agent from group 1, according to the classification of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, 49.0% (95%CI 47.8;50.2) of male workers and 16.9% (95%CI 16.0;17.9) of female workers. Male workers, compared with female workers, had a higher prevalence of exposure to solar radiation (38.1% [95%CI 37.0;39.3] vs 6.6% [95%CI 6.0;7.2]), chemical agents (19.4% [95%CI 18.5;20.5] vs 8.3% [95%CI 7.6;9.1]), mineral dust (18.9% [95%CI 17.9;20.0] vs 3.3% [95%CI 2.9;3.8]), night work (15.5% [95%CI 14.7;16.5] vs 9.4% [95%CI 8.6;10.2]), and passive smoking (14.3% [95%CI 13.3;15.4] vs 8.2% [95%CI 7.6;9.0]). Conclusion: the prevalence of exposure to possible occupational carcinogens is high and unequally distributed by sex and occupation. Actions to reduce, replace, and eliminate these carcinogens should be prioritized.

Analysis of individuals with leukemia: cancer surveillance system limitations. / Análise de indivíduos com leucemia: limitações do sistema de vigilância de câncer.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world with great impact on public health and leukemia is a hematological cancer directly related to different exposures at work. This study aimed to describe the occupational profile of individuals diagnosed with leukemia. This is a cross-sectional study of cases registered between 2007 and 2011 in the Integrador RHC database. Individuals from 26 Brazilian states, aged 20 years or older, were included. Of the 7,807 cases of leukemia, Minas Gerais recorded the highest occurrence (1,351). Only 52% of the cases had information on occupation. Occupations with the greatest number of cases of leukemia were agricultural, forestry and fishing workers; services, stores and markets vendors; and workers in the production of industrial goods and services. These occupations are exposed to substances considered by literature as carcinogenic agents to humans. There was a high underreporting of occupational data, compromising the quality of information and, therefore, the effectiveness of the Brazilian health surveillance system. The RHC also does not provide information about the agent used during the working day, the exposure time during working life and data from previous occupations.

Resumo O câncer é a segunda causa de morte no mundo com grande impacto na saúde pública e as leucemias são cânceres hematológicos relacionados a diferentes exposições no trabalho. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o perfil ocupacional de indivíduos diagnosticados com leucemia. Trata-se de um estudo transversal de casos cadastrados entre 2007 e 2011 no banco de dados do IntegradorRHC. Foram incluídos indivíduos de 26 estados brasileiros, com 20 anos ou mais. Do total de 7807 casos de leucemia, Minas Gerais registrou a maior ocorrência (1351). Em apenas 52% dos casos havia informações sobre a ocupação. As ocupações com maior número de casos de leucemias foram: trabalhadores agropecuários, florestais e da pesca; de serviços, vendedores do comércio em lojas e mercados e da produção de bens e serviços industriais. Tais ocupações apresentam exposição a substâncias consideradas pela literatura como agentes cancinogênicos para humanos. Observou-se elevado subregistro de dados referentes à ocupação comprometendo a qualidade da informação e, por conseguinte, a efetividade do sistema de vigilância em saúde no Brasil. O RHC também não fornece informações sobre o agente utilizado durante a jornada de trabalho, o tempo de exposição no decorrer de sua vida laboral, bem como dados de ocupações prévias.

Benzene poisoning, clinical and blood abnormalities in two Brazilian female gas station attendants: two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Brazilian gas station workers are chronically exposed to benzene, toluene, xylene (BTX) during their working time. Describe below two cases of latin female gas station workers with benzene poisoning symptoms and miscarriage history. CASE PRESENTATION: In both cases were identified complex chromosomal rearrangements (CCR) with fluorescence in situ hybridization, applied to whole chromosome paints by chromosomes 1, 2 and 4. The lower natural killer cell (NK) cells have also been observed in cases correspondents, especially the rare type of NK (NKbright) in their peripheral blood cells. CONCLUSIONS: It is known that acquired chromosomal aberrations are positively correlated with cancer and reproductive risk. In concordance, lower NK cytotoxicity increases the risk for cancer, as well. Thus, this is the first study providing hints on a possible causative relation of lower NK cytotoxicity and increase rates of chromosomal rearrangements including CCRs.

[Randomized clinical trial: effectiveness of the cognitive-behavioral approach and the use of nicotine replacement transdermal patches for smoking cessation among adults in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]. / Ensaio clínico randomizado: efetividade da abordagem cognitivo-comportamental e uso de adesivos transdérmicos de reposição de nicotina, na cessação de fumar, em adultos residentes no Município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

Randomized clinical trial carried out to investigate the effectiveness of the cognitive-behavioral approach and nicotine replacement therapy with nicotine patches for smoking cessation. Participated 1,199 adults, volunteers, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, randomly assigned to 10 different groups: intensive brief counseling group (GB), with 1 or 2 sessions (G1-G2), and with 3 or 4 sessions (G3-G4), with/without nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Abstinence proportions were estimated during 12 months. These proportions among participants not assigned to NRT were 20% (GB), 17% (G1-G2), and 23% (G3-G4); and among assigned NRT groups were 30% (GBA), 34% (G1A-G2A), and 33% (G3A-G4A). After multiple adjustments, the abstinence proportions ratios seemed to follow a "dose-response" pattern: compared to GB, the ratios were 0.85 (G1-G2), 1.13 (G3-G4), 1.51 (GBA), 1.66 (G1A-G2A), and 1.75 (G3A-G4A). The results suggest that use of NRT increases the abstinence proportion for cessation. The "dose-response" pattern suggests that cognitive-behavioral could be the reasonable option in the smoking cessation therapy.

Metabolic Polymorphisms and Clinical Findings Related to Benzene Poisoning Detected in Exposed Brazilian Gas-Station Workers.

Benzene is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant and an important industrial chemical present in both gasoline and motor vehicle emissions. Occupational human exposure to benzene occurs in the petrochemical and petroleum refining industries as well as in gas-station workers, where it can lead to benzene poisoning (BP), but the mechanisms of BP are not completely understood. In Brazil, a significant number of gas-station service workers are employed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate alterations related to BP and metabolic polymorphisms in gas-station service workers exposed to benzene in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Occupational exposure was based on clinical findings related to BP, and metabolic polymorphisms in 114 Brazilian gas-station attendants. These workers were divided into No Clinical Findings (NCF) and Clinical Findings (CF) groups. Neutrophil and Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) showed a significant difference between the two study groups, and neutrophil has the greatest impact on the alterations suggestive of BP. The clinical findings revealed higher frequencies of symptoms in the CF group, although not all members presented statistical significance. The frequencies of alleles related to risk were higher in the CF group for GSTM1, GSTT1, CYP2E1 7632T > A, but lower for NQO1 and CYP2E1 1053C > T genotypes. Moreover, an association was found between GSTM1 null and alterations related to BP, but we did not observe any effects of other polymorphisms. Variations in benzene metabolizing genes may modify benzene toxicity and should be taken into consideration during risk assessment evaluations.