Health conditions of inmates in Italy.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that prison is characterized by a higher prevalence of chronic diseases than unconfined settings. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and health of inmates, focusing on internal diseases. METHODS: We designed a specific clinical record using the Python programming language. We considered all of the diagnoses according to the ICD-9-CM. RESULTS: Of a total of 17,086 inmates, 15,751 were enrolled in our study (M = 14,835; F = 869), corresponding to 92.2% of the entire inmate population (mean age of 39.6 years). The project involved a total of 57 detention facilities in six Italian regions (for a total of 28% of all detainees in Italy), as counted in a census taken on February 3, 2014. From the entire study sample, 32.5% of prisoners did not present any disorders, while 67.5% suffered from at least one disease. The most frequent pathologies were psychiatric (41.3%), digestive (14.5%), infectious (11.5%), cardiovascular (11.4%), endocrine, metabolic, and immune (8.6%), and respiratory (5.4%). CONCLUSION: The findings showed that a large number of detainees were affected by several chronic conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus, with an unusually high prevalence for such a young population. Therefore, a series of preventive measures is recommended to strengthen the entire care process and improve the health and living conditions of prisoners.

Malignant mesotheliomas in textile rag sorters.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the asbestos exposure characteristics and mesothelioma trend in textile workers operating in the larger Tuscan textile industrial province of Prato between 1988 and 2012. METHODS: All cases of textile workers recorded by the Tuscan mesothelioma register are considered. The demographic and clinical characteristics and asbestos exposure of cases working in the province of Prato are examined. Crude incidence rates between 1988 and 2012 and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) are calculated in rag sorters and other textile workers. The trends of standardized rates are also evaluated, as well as the sources of occupational asbestos exposure from occupational histories of cases affected by other asbestos-related diseases in rag sorters. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-two malignant mesotheliomas (MMs) have been diagnosed in textile workers in Tuscany. Among these, 46.5% were residents in the province of Prato at the time of diagnosis, half of whom working as rag sorters. All rag sorters with MM are classified as occupationally asbestos exposed, while 71.7% are other textile workers exposed to asbestos. The estimated crude incidence rate in rag sorters in Prato ranges from 74.1×100000 (95% CI: 52.5-101.8) to 166.8×100000 (95% CI: 118.1-229.0). The standardized rates in Prato rag sorters appeared higher throughout the 1990s while in other Prato textile workers the rates increased later on, at the very end of the 1990s. Another 40 cases of asbestos-related diseases in rag sorters were also collected. CONCLUSIONS: A very high incidence of MMs was observed in textile workers in Prato, especially among rag sorters. This result, together with the high number of other asbestos-related diseases in rag sorters, strongly supports the hypothesis of diffuse asbestos exposure in rag sorting, in the absence of any other relevant aetiological factor for malignant mesothelioma.

[Tobacco farming in Italy receives more funds in comparison to tobacco control]. / La tabacchicoltura in Italia riceve più fondi del controllo del tabagismo.

In the European Union almost 300,000 tons of raw tobacco are produced every year, contributing for 4% of the world production. In Italy, tobacco crop produces around 90,000 tons/year and is concentrated in Veneto, Tuscany, Umbria and Campania Regions. In 1970, Common Market Organisation provided a virtually unlimited support for European tobacco production. After 2004, funds progressively has been cut by half, even though the other half has been given for restructuring or reconversion of tobacco farms through the Rural Development Plan. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control recommends conversion of tobacco crops, although there are no effective measures. Tobacco production requires large quantities of chemicals (pesticides, growth regulators, fertilisers), with significant workers' exposure if applied without personal protective equipments. Pesticides may have genotoxic, teratogenic, immunotoxic, hormonal, and carcinogenic effects. Tobacco itself may cause also a disease called "Green tobacco sickness" syndrome, as a consequence of nicotine dermal absorption due to skin exposure to tobacco leaves. In Italy, financial resources for tobacco production and restructuring/conversion to other crops of previously tobacco planted fields are available. On the contrary, anti-smoking media interventions do not receive funds comparatively relevant as those for tobacco production.

[Even cigarette butts can impact environment and health: preliminary considerations]. / Anche i mozziconi di sigaretta hanno un impatto sull'ambiente e la salute: alcune considerazioni preliminari.

In Italy, every year about 72 billion of cigarette butts are thrown away in the environment. Cigarette butts represent 50% of the wastes of urban areas (parks, roads) in the world, and 40% of Mediterranean Sea wastes. In particular, total polluting load is constituted of 1,872 Bq millions of Polonium-210, assuming 75 mBq per cigarette butt, and 1,800 tons of volatile organic compounds. As a matter of fact, according to several surveys, cigarette butts are considered by smokers and non-smokers as a common and acceptable waste in the environment. In 2008, European Union issued a Directive on wastes considering the «extended producer responsibility¼ (i.e., every industry is liable for costs of collection, transport and disposal of its own products). In October 2012, the Italian Parliament proposed a bill that classifies cigarette butts as special wastes in the frame of this responsibility. It could be interesting in the future to follow the legislative process of that bill in the Italian Parliament in order to show how strong it will be supported.

[Benzene in soft drinks: a study in Florence (Italy)]. / Benzene nelle bibite analcoliche: un'indagine fiorentina.

The aim of this study was to determine the amount of benzene present in soft drinks sold in Florence (Italy). We analyzed 28 different types of soft drinks, by measuring concentrations of benzoic acid, sorbic acid, ascorbic acid (using high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection) and benzene (using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry). Data was analysed by using SPSS 18.0.Traces of benzene were detected in all analyzed beverages, with a mean concentration of 0.45 µg/L (range: 0.15-2.36 µg/L). Statistically significant differences in mean benzene concentrations were found between beverages according to the type of additive indicated on the drink label, with higher concentrations found in beverages containing both ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate. Two citrus fruit-based drinks were found to have benzene levels above the European limit for benzene in drinking water of 1 µg /L. Sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid were also detected in the two drinks.In conclusion, not all soft drink producers have taken steps to eliminate benzoic acid from their soft drinks and thereby reduce the risk of formation of benzene, as recommended by the European Commission. Furthermore, the presence of benzene in trace amounts in all beverages suggests that migration of constituents of plastic packaging materials or air-borne contamination may be occurring.