ABSTRACT
Tear film is critical for the well-being and homeostasis of the ocular surface. Although the composition of the tear film is well known, the composition of metallic elements have yet to be analysed. Despite trace elements metabolism has been reported to play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disease that affects several aspects of homeostasis, little is known in the literature regarding concentration and possible variation of metallic elements in tear film. We studied the concentrations of several essential and non-essential metallic elements in the tear fluid and serum of patients with type II diabetes mellitus and a group of non-diabetic controls. Serum and tear fluid were collected from 97 patients: 47 type II diabetic patients and 50 non-diabetic controls. Regarding tear film, there were statistically significant differences in Zinc, Chrome, Cobalt, Manganese, Barium, and Lead between groups; the values of all metallic elements were found to be statistically significant higher in patients with mellitus type II diabetes. Regarding serum values there was a statistically significant difference in Chrome, Cobalt, and Selenium values; the concentrations of Chrome and Cobalt were higher in the control group, while Selenium concentration was higher in diabetic patients. In patients with type II diabetes, metal elements with higher concentrations in tears compared to serum were: Lead, Barium, Manganese, Cobalt, and Chrome. In the control group, the metal elements with the highest concentration in tear film compared to serum were Chrome, Manganese, Barium, and Lead. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the possible effect of a disease, such as diabetes, on the metabolism of metallic elements. Although our evidence was very interesting, it is probably limited in its accuracy due to the fact that individuals in the control group harboured ocular pathologies. This work lays the foundation for future studies.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism , Serum/metabolism , Tears/metabolism , Trace Elements/metabolism , Aged , Biomarkers/metabolism , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Mass Spectrometry , Pilot Projects , Reproducibility of Results , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Introduction. Chronic poisoning may result in home setting after mercury (Hg) vapours inhalation from damaged devices. We report a chronic, nonoccupational Hg poisoning due to 10-year indoor exposure to mercury spillage. Case Report. A 72-year-old man with polyneuropathy of suspected toxic origin. At hospitalization, toxicological clinical evaluations confirmed the altered neurological picture documented across the last decade. Periodic blood and urine Hg levels (BHg, UHg) monitoring were performed from admission (t0), until 1 year later (t2), paralleled by blood neurochemical markers assessment, that is, lymphocytes muscarinic receptors (l-MRs). At t0: BHg and UHg were 27 and 1.4 microg/L, respectively (normal values: BHg 1-4.5; UHg 0.1-4.5), associated with l-MRs increase, 185.82 femtomoL/million lymphocytes (normal range: 8.0-16.0). At t1 (two days after DMSA-mobilization test), BHg weak reduction, paralleled by UHg 3.7-fold increase, was measured together with further l-MRs enhancement (205.43 femtomoL/million lymphocytes). At t2 (eight months after two cycles of DMSA chelating therapy ending), gradual improving of clinical manifestations was accompanied by progressive decrease of BHg and UHg (4.0 and 2.8 microg/L, resp.) and peripheral l-MRs neurochemical marker (24.89 femtomoL/million lymphocytes). Conclusion. l-MRs modulatory effect supports their use as peripheral neurochemical marker in Hg poisoning diagnosis and chelation therapy monitoring.
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to demonstrate the correlation between endodontic treatment on maxillary teeth and fungus ball with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurement of zinc and other metals (barium, lead and copper) in fungus ball samples. Samples of normal maxillary mucosa were used as comparison. Metal concentration was also measured in several endodontic materials. A significant difference was found between the concentration of zinc and copper in fungus ball compared to normal mucosa. Metal distribution was more similar in fungus ball and in the endodontic materials tested than normal mucosa. The similar metal concentration in the endodontic materials and fungus ball suggests that endodontic materials play a role in the pathogenesis of fungus ball. Endodontic materials accidentally pushed into the maxillary sinus during endodontic treatments may play a crucial role. Dentists should be as careful as possible when treating maxillary teeth to avoid perforating the maxillary sinus floor; the use of zinc-free endodontic materials, as zinc is a metal that plays a pivotal role in fungus growth, should be encouraged.
Subject(s)
Alternariosis/chemically induced , Aspergillosis/chemically induced , Root Canal Filling Materials/adverse effects , Zinc Oxide/adverse effects , Humans , Prospective Studies , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
In the last few years, many reports have confirmed the presence of WU, KI and Merkel cell (MC) polyomaviruses (PyV) in respiratory samples wordwide, but their pathogenic role in patients with underlying conditions such as cystic fibrosis is still debated. To determine the prevalence of MCPyV, WUPyV and KIPyV, we conducted a 1-year-long microbiological testing of respiratory specimens from 93 patients with cystic fibrosis in Brescia, Italy. We detected PyV DNA in 94 out of 337 analysed specimens. KIPyV was the most common virus detected (12.1%), followed by WUPyV (8.9%) and MCPyV (6.8%). We found an intriguing association between the presence of MCPyV and the concurrent isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as with the patient status, classified as chronically colonized with P. aeruginosa. Our study adds perspective on the prevalence and the potential pathogenic role of PyV infections.
Subject(s)
Cystic Fibrosis/complications , Polyomavirus Infections/epidemiology , Polyomavirus Infections/virology , Polyomavirus/classification , Polyomavirus/isolation & purification , Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology , Respiratory Tract Infections/virology , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Prevalence , Pseudomonas Infections/epidemiology , Pseudomonas Infections/microbiology , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/isolation & purification , Retrospective Studies , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have shown associations of particulate matter (PM) exposure with hypercoagulability and thrombosis. Extracellular circulating histones have recently been identified as novel mediators of inflammatory and procoagulant responses. The potential roles of extracellular histones in PM-related hypercoagulability have yet not been investigated. OBJECTIVES: In 63 steel workers, we evaluated the effects of exposure to PM and PM metal components on two extracellular histone modifications (H3K4me3 and H3K9ac); and the association of H3K4me3 and H3K9ac with coagulation markers. METHODS: Extracellular H3K4me3 and H3K9ac were determined in plasma through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Coagulation markers included endogenous thrombin potentials (ETPs), tissue-type plasminogen activator antigen (t-PA) and D-dimer. Exposure to PM with aerodynamic diameters <1 µm (PM1) or <10 µm (PM10) and PM10 metal components were estimated for each participant. RESULTS: The coagulation marker ETP, measured in the presence of soluble thrombomodulin (ETP TM+), showed significant positive associations with PM1 (ß=107.84, p=0.03), PM10 (ß=83.06, p=0.02), and zinc (ß=75.14, p=0.03); and a marginal association with iron (ß=122.58, p=0.07). Additional PM effects were observed on t-PA, D-dimer, and ETP TM+. PM1 exposure was associated with increased plasma H3K4me3 and H3K9ac (ß=0.20, p=0.02; ß=0.16, p=0.05, respectively). H3K4me3, but not H3K9ac, was associated with zinc (ß=0.13, p=0.03) and iron (ß=0.32, p=0.01) contained in PM. ETP TM+ was increased in association with higher plasma H3K4me3 (ß=0.50, p=0.05) and H3K9ac (ß=0.54, p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This observational study suggests potential roles of extracellular histones in PM-induced hypercoagulability. Experimental studies are warranted to further characterize these findings.
Subject(s)
Blood Coagulation/drug effects , Histones/metabolism , Metals/toxicity , Particulate Matter/toxicity , Adult , Extraction and Processing Industry , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Occupational Exposure/adverse effectsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Self-medication is defined as the utilization of drugs to treat self-diagnosed disorders or symptoms, or the irregular or continuous use of a prescribed drug for chronic or repeated diseases or symptoms. The main problem with self-medication with antimicrobials is the emergence of pathogenic resistance. Antimicrobial resistance is an existing problem world-wide, mainly in developing countries. The aims and objectives of the study presented in this article are to evaluate the prevalence of purchase of antibiotics without prescription and appropriateness of use among adults and to determine the impact of the education level on the sensibility level over the use of antibiotics. METHODS: This was a questionnaire based study of 3 month duration. The study includes data from 350 young adults (182 men/172 women, mean age ± SD: 34.72 ± 13.7 years), who visited ten different pharmacies located in the city of Tirana and the "Olympus" Private Medical Clinic in Fier between December 2012 and March 2013. Also a part of questionnaires was distributed by e-mail. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that out of 350 young adults, 273 (78.14%) of them used antibiotics as self medication. The most common reasons for self administration of antibiotics were fever 171 (29.23%), sore throat 170 (29.06%) and cough 83 (14.19%). In this study we observed that the most common source of information regarding self-medication is the pharmacy (community pharmacists) 166 (36.40%) and most common antibiotic used as self-medication is amoxicillin 70 (19.39%). Authors also determined the impact of education level over the use of antibiotics. The results showed that adults with low and medium education level (7.986% and 43.056% respectively) were most likely to use antibiotics as self-medication. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study highlight the striking prevalence of self-medication among young adults in Albania and the lack of awareness about the risks associating their use. We recommend that a holistic approach must be taken to prevent this problem from escalating which would involve awareness and education regarding the implications of self medication, strategies to prevent the supply of medicines without prescription by pharmacies and strict rules regarding pharmaceutical advertising.Hippokratia 2014; 18 (3): 217-220.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Vanadium (V) is a minor constituent of the Titanium-Aluminum-Vanadium (TiAlV) alloy currently used in cementless hip prostheses. Present study aimed at verifying the correlation of vanadium levels among different matrices and assessing reference levels of the ion in a population of patients wearing a well-functioning hip prosthesis. METHODS: Vanadium was measured using Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in whole blood, serum and urine of 129 patients implanted with a TiAlV-alloy hip prosthesis. RESULTS: The values in the serum were above the upper limit of the reference values in 42% of patients (29% in urine and 13% in whole blood). A good correlation among matrices was observed (p < 0.001). The cohort of patients (N = 32) complaining of pain or in which a loosening or damage to the prosthesis was assessed showed a significantly higher excretion of vanadium in urine as compared with the remaining asymptomatic patients (p = 0.001). The 95th percentile distribution of vanadium in the cohort of patients with a well-functioning prosthesis was 0.3 µg/L in whole blood, 0.5 µg/L in serum and 2.8 µg/L in urine, higher that in the unexposed population, especially for urine. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a prosthesis, even though well-functioning, may cause a possible release of vanadium into the blood and a significant urinary excretion. The reference values of vanadium of the asymptomatic patients with titanium alloy hip prostheses supplied information regarding the background exposure level of the ions and their lower and upper limits.
Subject(s)
Alloys , Aluminum , Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/instrumentation , Hip Prosthesis , Titanium , Vanadates/blood , Vanadates/urine , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/adverse effects , Biomarkers/blood , Biomarkers/urine , Female , Humans , Male , Mass Spectrometry/methods , Middle Aged , Pain, Postoperative/blood , Pain, Postoperative/etiology , Pain, Postoperative/urine , Prosthesis Failure , Up-RegulationABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: A method for risk assessment of occupational exposure to strontium chromate (SrCrO4) in painters employed in the aeronautical industry is described. METHODS: Assessment was made of 21 male workers of the painting division, potentially exposed to SrCrO4 (exposed), and 20 male workers of the tests and warehouse divisions (controls). All participants completed a questionnaire about work tasks, lifestyle habits, hobbies and diet. Personal active sampling for the determination of Cr and Sr was performed both during paint-spraying and during other operations in the painting division area. On the same day as environmental sampling, urine samples were collected at the beginning and end of the work shift in exposed workers to determine urinary chromium (CrU), and only at the end of the shift in controls. In the second half of the shift, a blood sample was taken in 10 exposed workers and 10 controls, to determine Cr in plasma (CrP) and in red blood cells (CrRBC). RESULTS: During paint-spraying, Cr concentrations ranged between 1.38 and 17.10 microg/m3, versus 0.02 to 0.07 microg/mi in the painting division area, while the Sr concentration was 22.90 microg/m3 in the paint-spray booth versus 0.07 microg/m3 in the painting division area. CrU at the end of the work shift, CrP and CrRBC, did not show significant differences between exposed workers and controls. Moreover, in exposed workers there were no differences between CrU measured at the beginning and at the end of the work shift. CONCLUSIONS: This approach, consisting of simultaneous environmental and biological monitoring, suggested no absorption of chromium in the painters thanks to the efficacy of the technical, organizational and personal protection measures adopted. However, the evident exposure to high levels of SrCrO4 during paint-spraying highlights how absolutely essential it is to ensure strict compliance with all the preventive measures foreseen by the EU and national regulations for occupational exposure to carcinogens.
Subject(s)
Aircraft , Chromates/adverse effects , Inhalation Exposure/adverse effects , Inhalation Exposure/prevention & control , Occupational Diseases/chemically induced , Occupational Diseases/prevention & control , Paint/adverse effects , Strontium/adverse effects , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Environmental Monitoring , Guidelines as Topic , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Ocular trauma is a major cause of monocular blindness and visual impairment in industrialized countries. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper was to study epidemiology, causes, and clinical features of work-related and non-work-related eye injuries in a highly industrialized area of northern Italy. METHODS: All patients hospitalized for eye injuries were enrolled. Two 3-year periods were studied (1994-1996 and 2005-2007). The variables analyzed included sex, age, social class of the patients, nature of the injuring agent (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.), place where the accident occurred (e.g., home, work, etc.), and time of the year (e.g., summer, winter, etc.). RESULTS: We enrolled 1001 men and 129 women. There were no significant differences between the two 3-year periods as regards distribution of sex, age, and location. Road-related injuries significantly decreased (p < 0.004). Comparison of injuring agents showed a decrease in metallic agents (p < 0.001) and an increase in lime agents (p < 0.001). Analysis of the type of trauma showed a decrease in blunt traumas (p < 0.001) and an increase in chemical injuries (p < 0.001) and actinic keratitis (p = 0.002). In the second 3-year period, we found a significant increase in injuries in non-Italian subjects (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Work-related injuries were the major cause of eye trauma. Road accident-related eye injuries dropped significantly in the second 3-year period. The adoption of higher safety standards, as well as information and educational campaigns, can significantly reduce work-related and non-work-related eye injuries.
Subject(s)
Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control , Accidents, Occupational/statistics & numerical data , Eye Injuries/epidemiology , Eye Injuries/prevention & control , Inpatients/statistics & numerical data , Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , Occupational Diseases/prevention & control , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Eye Injuries/diagnosis , Eye Injuries/etiology , Eye Injuries/therapy , Female , Humans , Incidence , Industry , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Occupational Diseases/diagnosis , Occupational Diseases/etiology , Occupational Diseases/therapy , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Sex Distribution , Time Factors , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
The review of main scientific investigations about the work related diseases in metallurgy shows that the most studied pathologies regards lung cancer and pneumoconiosis, other cancers and cardiovascular diseases. These evidences are not univocal and have been and are critically evaluated due to the complexity and articulated structure of metals production which makes it very difficult to compare the risks and diseases among the different metallurgical activities and, in the same activity, among the different job tasks. In addition, due to the technological and organizational evolution investigations, appear to be necessary to better define the specific hazards (for example metal species, PAH and PoPs mixtures) and to put into a correct relation these and pathologies diagnosed by health surveillance procedures or epidemiological surveys, surely different from those of past decades.
Subject(s)
Metallurgy , Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , Biomedical Research , Humans , Respiration DisordersABSTRACT
The steel industry maintains its important position in the context of the Italian production involving thousands of workers. The iron and steel processes are divided into primary steel industry, production of intermediate minerals, and secondary steel, scrap from the production of semi-finished industrial and consumer sector (metal inserted into components and metal used for dissipative uses, primarily coatings) and industrial waste. The paper presents the results of environmental monitoring carried out in some electric steel plant for the measurement of airborne chemicals that characterize the occupational exposure of workers employed in particular area like electric oven, to treatment outside the furnace, continuous casting area. For the sampling of the pollutants were used both personal and in fixed positions samplers. The pollutants measured are those typical of steel processes inhalable dust, metals, respirable dust, crystalline silica, but also Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs).
Subject(s)
Air Pollutants, Occupational/analysis , Metallurgy , Occupational Exposure/analysis , Steel , HumansABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite its advantages over environmental monitoring, biological monitoring of exposure to 2,4-:2,6-toluene diisocyanate (TDI) mixtures is still underused. The present study was designed in order to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of biological monitoring in a factory producing polyurethane foam blocks. METHODS: Airborne TDI isomers were sampled by both static and personal pumps and determined by HPLC with fluorimetric detection. Specific metabolites 2,4- and 2,6-toluenediamine (TDA) were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry on hydrolysed urine samples collected from 16 workers at the beginning of the workweek and both before (BS) and at the end (ES) of the 4th workday. Additional samples were collected at the end of the 1st half-shift and at the beginning of the 2nd half-shift in 5 workers. RESULTS: In the foam production shop, TDI values were on average about 20 microg/m3, with higher levels in the 2nd half-shift and peak levels in workers operating along the polymerization tunnel. Average TDI levels were significantly correlated with ES TDA concentrations (p < 0.0001). TDA showed a fast urinary elimination phase leading to progressively higher TDA levels either during the shift (5 workers) and at the end-of-shift. A slower elimination phase with a weekly accumulation was demonstrated by values at the beginning of the workweek (higher than in unexposed subjects) and by their elevation in subsequent BS samples. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates the feasibility and reliability of biological monitoring in workers exposed to 2,4-:2, 6-TDI mixtures. This approach can provide information about both the daily and weekly exposure levels.
Subject(s)
Air Pollutants, Occupational/analysis , Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis , Chemical Industry , Environmental Monitoring , Occupational Exposure/analysis , Polyurethanes , Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate/analysis , Adult , Air Pollutants, Occupational/pharmacokinetics , Biomarkers , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Feasibility Studies , Female , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Humans , Inhalation Exposure , Italy , Male , Middle Aged , Phenylenediamines/urine , Protective Devices/statistics & numerical data , Reproducibility of Results , Smoking/urine , Time Factors , Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate/pharmacokinetics , WorkplaceABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the critical issues concerning the use of urinary inorganic arsenic (iAs), including As3, As5, monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), as biomarker of internal dose in order to monitor environmental and occupational exposure to inorganic As, considering the influence of diet and drinking water on excretion of iAs. METHODS: The design protocol stipulated collection of weekly urine samples from 6 male subjects for 5 consecutive months. In all the urine samples, iAs was determined by Hydride Generation-Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (HG-AAS). In the subjects with iAs higher than 35 microg/L, Biological Exposure Index (BEI) proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), urinary arsenic speciation was performed by HPLC-ICP-MS. Exposure to airborne As was evaluated monthly using personal environmental samplers worn for 8 hours. Throughout the study, the participants filled out a daily food diary, also detailing types of water drunk. RESULT: Exposure to airborne As was invariably below the limit of detection, equal to 1 ng/m3. A total of 77 urine samples were collected. iAs was always detectable and was higher in 7 urine samples, obtained from 5 of the 6 subjects examined, than the BEI. Among foods with a high As content, the intake of seafood and fish within 72 hours before providing the sample seems to be the principal source of the iAs concentrations, while the intake of rice or drinking water showed no influence on this biological marker. Instead, drinking wine within 24 hours before urine sample collection can cause a significant increase in the excretion of iAs. CONCLUSIONS: In populations that eat large amounts of fish and seafood, the use of iAs to monitor occupational and environmental exposure to inorganic As seems to present some problems, and urinary As speciation may be essential at least in cases with As measurements above the biological limit values. In any case, a diet sheet reporting all foods eaten within 3 days of urine collection seems to be an indispensable tool to ensure a correct interpretation of the results.
Subject(s)
Arsenicals/pharmacokinetics , Drinking Water , Environmental Monitoring , Environmental Pollutants/pharmacokinetics , Food Contamination , Wine , Adult , Air Pollutants/pharmacokinetics , Arsenic Poisoning/prevention & control , Arsenicals/urine , Biotransformation/drug effects , Drug Interactions , Environmental Pollutants/urine , Habits , Humans , Inhalation Exposure , Inorganic Chemicals/pharmacokinetics , Intestinal Absorption , Italy , Male , Methylation , Middle Aged , Organic Chemicals/pharmacokinetics , Seafood/analysis , Spectrophotometry, Atomic , Water Pollutants, Chemical/pharmacokinetics , Water Pollutants, Chemical/urineABSTRACT
The study has been performed on tears of apparently healthy subjects who live and work in urban and rural areas, respectively. After the collection the following elements were investigated: chromium (Cr); arsenic (As); copper (Cu); zinc (Zn); selenium (Se); rubidium (Rb); barium (Ba); lead (Pb) and cobalt (Co). Significantly higher values of As were found in subjects living and working in rural areas as compared to those found in urban area residents (0.290 vs. 0.025; p<0.001). Conversely, Ba and Pb were significantly lower in rural area residents (1.10 vs. 2.50, p=0.027 and 1.70 vs. 1.10, p=0.057, respectively). Our data show that trace elements analysis in tears is possible; further studies could define if it could be a reliable biomarker in persons exposed to high concentration of trace elements due to working or environmental reasons.
Subject(s)
Environmental Exposure/standards , Environmental Pollutants/analysis , Tears/chemistry , Trace Elements/analysis , Arsenic/analysis , Arsenic/standards , Chromium/analysis , Chromium/standards , Cobalt/analysis , Cobalt/standards , Copper/analysis , Copper/standards , Environmental Exposure/analysis , Environmental Exposure/statistics & numerical data , Environmental Pollutants/standards , Humans , Reference Values , Selenium/analysis , Selenium/standards , Trace Elements/standards , Zinc/analysis , Zinc/standardsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Few data exist on the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in road paving workers, in addition methods for risk assessment of biomechanical overload of the lower limbs and the spine are also lacking. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the risk from biomechanical overload for the whole musculoskeletal system and manual handling involved in the activity of stone paving of roads. METHODS: In accordance with the guidelines of the Italian Society of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene various risk assessment methods were used. RESULTS: The Washington State checklist revealed the presence of biomechanical overload of the spine in flexion. The Turin checklist showed a risk score higher than the acceptable limit for the cervical and lumbar spine and limbs (risk level similar to that obtained from the OCRA checklist for the upper limbs). The assessment of risk from manual handling of loads carried out using the NIOSH method provided a synthetic risk index whereas evaluation conducted using the Washington State method was acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: Biomechanical risk assessment showed the presence of risk for use of force and awkward postures of the wrist and elbow, which agrees with literature data. The division of tasks among workers and the distribution of breaks helped to reduce the risk to an acceptable level for limbs. All methods however showed a risk for the spine. Health surveillance showed disorders of the spine in 28% of the workers and no disorders of the upper limbs, which agrees with the risk assessment.
Subject(s)
Construction Industry/statistics & numerical data , Cumulative Trauma Disorders/epidemiology , Extremities , Musculoskeletal Diseases/epidemiology , Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , Spine , Weight-Bearing , Adult , Biomechanical Phenomena , Construction Materials , Cumulative Trauma Disorders/etiology , Cumulative Trauma Disorders/prevention & control , Humans , Italy/epidemiology , Musculoskeletal Diseases/etiology , Musculoskeletal Diseases/prevention & control , Occupational Diseases/etiology , Occupational Diseases/prevention & control , Posture , Reference Values , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , TransportationABSTRACT
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) have been shown to exert some immune effects. Here we analysed their effects also on immune parameters not previously studied such as TCR alpha-beta, TCR gamma-delta and regulatory T cells (Treg), taking into account the specific and cumulative interference of smoking and alcohol. The study subjects consisted of 26 male workers in a steel works factory, employed in the electrical maintenance sector, with previous exposure to a mixture of PCB (exposed subjects), and 30 male workers with no occupational exposure to PCB (controls). All subjects were given a questionnaire and peripheral venous blood samples were taken to determine serum PCB (33 congeners), total cholesterol and triglycerides, leukocytes, total lymphocytes and the T lymphocyte subpopulations (TCR alpha-beta, TCRgamma-delta, CD4+ and Treg lymphocytes). PCB, even though at a very low concentration, were significantly higher in exposed subjects than controls, and were significantly correlated with age. Monocytes% and CD4+ were significantly reduced in the exposed subjects as compared to the controls. The serum concentration of PCB positively correlated with TCR alpha-beta, and negatively with TCRgamma-delta. Treg lymphocytes showed a positive dependence on tobacco smoking, while the monocytes percentage and CD4+ showed a negative and positive dependence, respectively, on alcohol intake. Our results seem to show some effects of slight exposure to PCB in particular reducing the relative concentration of TCRgamma-delta. This effect can favour indirectly the increase in Treg induced by smoking, the anti-inflammatory or proinflammatory/fibrogenetic/angiogenetic effect of which, exerted by produced cytokines, particularly TGF-beta, deserves further clarification.
Subject(s)
Ethanol/toxicity , Polychlorinated Biphenyls/toxicity , Smoking/adverse effects , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/drug effects , Adult , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/drug effects , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Polychlorinated Biphenyls/blood , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effectsABSTRACT
This cross-sectional study was aimed at evaluating in a large sample of male foundry workers the current exposure levels to carcinogenic compounds, including metallic elements [arsenic (As), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni)] and aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAH) by a biological monitoring approach, using validated biomarkers of exposure. Workers were recruited from 15 aluminium, copper alloy, electric steel and cast iron foundries and provided an end-of-shift urine sample to determine urinary concentrations of As, Be, Cd, Cr, Ni and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP). Metallic elements were determined either by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Be, Cd and Cr) or by atomic absorption spectrometry (As, Ni), whereas 1-OHP was determined by high pressure liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection. Most of the determinations fell within the laboratory's reference values. Age and lifestyle habits (smoking, alcohol, diet) played a significant interfering role.
Subject(s)
Carcinogens , Environmental Monitoring , Metallurgy , Metals/adverse effects , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/adverse effects , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Male , Metals/urine , Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/urineABSTRACT
Aim of this study is to assess the risk from biomechanical overload for the whole musculoskeletal system and manual handling involved in the activity of stone paving of the road. According to the guidelines of the Italian Society of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene various risk assessment methods have been used: Washington State checklist, checklist of Turin and OCRA checklist to assess the risk from biomechanical overload for the upper limb and NIOSH method with the method provided by the State of Washington to assess the risk from manual handling of loads.
Subject(s)
Construction Industry , Lifting/adverse effects , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Spine , Upper Extremity , Weight-Bearing , Biomechanical Phenomena , Humans , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
Work, Occupational Medicine, legislative framework are in a deep and wipe transformation. To be able to adequately the occupational physician is requested to improve and update his professional capability, in a correct relationships between laws and normative and technical good practices. Anther crucial point appears his ability to support all the aspects involving the health protection and promotion in workplaces: form project or organization of new productions, to risk evaluation and management, to health surveillance and occupational epidemiology, to legal actions. In other words the occupational physician as a global consultant for employers ad for employees. Strategic in this perspective are the instruments (guidelines, protocols, consensus documents, technical assessments) for qualifying and updating the professionals, for which the scientific societies have a central tole.
Subject(s)
Consultants , Health Promotion , Occupational Diseases/prevention & control , Occupational Health , Occupational Medicine , Humans , WorkplaceABSTRACT
This paper describes the experience of the School of Occupational Medicine of the University of Brescia at the current edition of the New York and New Jersey Education and Research Center--Historical Perspectives Tour on Occupational Safety and Health, that involved 5 different industrial and environmental sites, appropriate for understanding the complex occupational health and safety problems. In every site, the participants have interacted with workers and professionals and discussed about the specific work processes, to better understand the risk faced by the workers, occupational pathologies that can occur, personal protective equipment used and preventive measures adopted. This experience has been successful in provide interdisciplinary educations to occupational safety and health professionals in training in order to prepare them for the collaboration and cooperation required to solve the complex occupational health and safety problems they will face in their future careers.