RESUMEN
Nose and paranasal sinus cancers are among the diseases related to exposure to wood dusts. The aim of this study was to evaluate exposure to hardwood dust by workers in small carpentry industries in central Italy (Tuscany, Italy) employing from one to ten workers each, and to investigate pathogenetic mechanisms. The efficacy of ventilation systems was assessed and exposure levels determined. Exposure conditions of hardwood workers were then reproduced in the laboratory and a physical/kinetic model prepared to simulate patterns of air uptake by workers. Various parameters were then measured to investigate possible risk factors that may be related to the onset of the disease. In addition to particle size of wood dust, a factor that requires further investigation is the temperatures reached by wood dust during processing, which may lead to the formation of new harmful molecules.
Asunto(s)
Polvo , Neoplasias Nasales/inducido químicamente , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Madera/efectos adversos , Materiales de Construcción , Calor/efectos adversos , Humanos , Italia , Neoplasias de los Senos Paranasales/inducido químicamente , Material Particulado/efectos adversos , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
The Italian legislation on chemical agents has undergone significant changes. The aim of the study was to compare the results obatained from an environmental investigation and the use of the ARChi.MEDE model The results of the survey were treated with the UNI EN 689/1997 that showed an acceptable result, while according to the use A.R.Chi.M.E.D.E. a significant risk was obtained. Actually the mathematical model assess workers exposure without considering in the calculation the specific preventive measures (personal protective equipment, training, uptake of pollutants at the source) as contemplated by law. So the mathematical model showed the need of preventive measures in the studied work place.