[Solar ultraviolet radiation risk in outdoor workers: a specific project of Tuscany Region (Italy)]. / Rischio da radiazione solare ultravioletta nei lavoratori outdoor: piano mirato della Regione Toscana.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of Tuscany Regional project were: to study the sun protection attitude of outdoor workers; to measure solar ultraviolet (UV) exposure in work environment; to describe the frequency of photoaging, precancerous lesions, and skin cancers in outdoor workers; to collect information on solar ultraviolet radiation exposure from incident cases of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC) recruited from Tuscany Cancer Registry. DESIGN: Outdoor workers completed a questionnaire devoted to collect information on sun protection attitudes during a typical summer working week. Environmental and personal measurements were carried out. Expert dermatologists examined outdoor workers to assess the frequency of photoaging, precancerous lesions, and skin cancer. A structured questionnaire was mailed to incident cases of NMSC. Information were collected on personal habits and working history, focusing on solar ultraviolet radiation exposure. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Agriculture, construction, quarrying and fishing activities were considered: 292 employees responded to questions about the type of clothing used in the morning and in the afternoon,while working outdoors; 637 outdoor workers underwent skin examination. We contacted 743 cases of NMSC occurred in 2004; 498 subjects accepted to participate in this study. RESULTS: The clothing worn by surveyed subjects was often inadequate compared to the high level of exposure to UV. The skin examination of 637 outdoor workers highlighted 2 melanomas, 7 epitheliomas and 35 actinic keratoses. Among the 498 cases of NMSC, 135 (27%) were diagnosed in outdoor workers. Most represented economic activity sectors were: agriculture, construction, transport, sports. CONCLUSION: The characterization of outside workers revealed unsatisfactory sun protection behaviours. Moreover, previously undetected skin cancers were diagnosed. The study on MNSC confirms the complexity of studying the exposure to UV radiation. The Tuscany Regional project provided useful information on the risk of solar ultraviolet radiation in outdoor workers. Prevention programs are needed.

[Mode of transport by car of 6-12-year-old children in Florence]. / Modalità di trasporto in auto di bambini di 6-12 anni a Firenze.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the use, during transport by car, of restraint/booster seats by children of 6-12 years old in Florence. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: To examine children's use, knowledge and behaviors regarding safety devices in cars, a questionnaire has been administered to 537 students attending 17 primary schools in Florence, during their visit to an area equipped for street education. Sociodemographic data (nationality, level of education and parents' work) have been collected as well to assess the socioeconomic membership. Collected data have been analyzed using SPSS 17.0. Chi squared test has been used to evaluate differences in the frequency of distribution of the use of safety devices by available variables. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions have been used to calculate the degree of association among the modes of transport and the available variables. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of use of restraint/booster seats, risk of having been incorrectly transported. RESULTS: 39.1% children, during the last travel, has been correctly transported, i.e. on the booster seat with fastened seat belt, 38.0% only with fastened seat belt and 22.9% free.The risky behaviors were not so much related to socioeconomic indices, but rather to some geographical variables and parents' nationality (especially of the mother).Children whose parents were both Italian were more frequently transported correctly compared to foreigners. We also observed peculiar and different modes of transport within specific ethnic minorities. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to design and implement interventions aimed at promoting interventions for improving safety for the whole population, but with specific safeguarding social and territorial specificities as regards to territory and ethnicity.

[Use of seat belts and mobile phone while driving in Florence: trend from 2005 to 2009]. / Uso delle cinture di sicurezza e del cellulare alla guida a Firenze: trend dal 2005 al 2009.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the trend over time of the use of seat belts by drivers and passengers of cars and vans and the use of hand held mobile phone while driving in Florence from 2005 to 2009. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: direct observations (58,773 vehicles) have been conducted to detect the use of seat belts by occupants of cars and vans, and the use of mobile phone while driving. It has been carried out correlation analysis between the use of the seat belt by occupants of vehicles and between the simultaneous use of this device and mobile phone while driving.Moreover, it has been carried out time series analysis (ARIMA Box Jenkins) of in the prevalence of the use of seat belts by occupants of vehicles observed, of mobile phone by drivers and the trend of the risk to drive using the mobile phone with unfastened seat belt rather than to drive using the mobile phone with fastened seat belt. RESULTS: seat belts were used on average by 75.7% of drivers, 75.5% of front passengers and 25.1% of rear passengers. The average mobile phone use while driving was 4.5%. Drivers most frequently fasten seat belt if front passengers use it and while they do not use mobile phone. The use of seat belts by drivers and front passengers has not changed over time, whereas the use of mobile phone while driving has significantly increased. The prevalence of using mobile phone with unfastened seat belt rather than to use it with fastened seat belt while driving has significantly decreased over the years, indicating an increase in the use of mobile phone, especially among those who fasten the seat belt. CONCLUSIONS: it is necessary to plan and realize stronger interventions in the whole area.