[Genetic markers of individual susceptibility and oxidative stress in subjects exposed to low dose of benzene. Preliminary data]. / Indicatori genetici di suscettibilità individuale e stress ossidativo in soggetti esposti a basse dosi di benzene. Dati preliminari.

In the present study we used AOPPs and AGE as early markers of oxidative stress in refinery oil workers. In addition we evaluated whether a genetically determined reduction in the ability to detoxify electrophilic compounds, such as that expected among individuals with glutathione S-transferase (GST) null genotypes might influence the levels of AOPPs thus increasing toxicity. The study was performed on 25 oil refinery workers and in 18 age-matched control subjects. We found a statistically significant increase of AOPPs in exposed workers with respect to controls while AGE levels were not different. Finally serum level of AOPPs and AGE were not correlated with the different GTS genotypes.

[The list of the occupational disease and medical surveillance: the function of preventive medicine doctor]. / L'elenco delle nuove malattie professionali e sorveglianza sanitaria: il ruolo del medico competente.

The recent revision of tables of occupational diseases according to the article 3 and 211 of TU 1124/65 is helpful to working physician. This revision established the necessity of explain the link between the causative agent and disease and inserted the disease caused by biomechanics overload of upper limbs. The previous absence of these disease was in contrast to the duty of declaration according to the article 139 of TU 1124/65. The new decree allowed to define better the link between the causative agent and the target organ of neoplastic occupational disease. Even if the decree set in order the duties of working physician a simplification is needed. In short about health supervision, it's necessary to clarify the link between the duty of health supervision and working activities that can cause occupational disease inserted in the tables. For this reason the intervention of the new Consultative Commission, according to article 6 of decree 81/2008, is desirable.

[Malignant pleuric mesothelioma in Sicily. Epidemiologic observations during the time 1998-2005]. / Mesotelioma pleurico maligno in Sicilia. Note epidemiologiche nel periodo 1988-2005.

Pleural malign mesothelioma is the only one to which we can straight attribute to an exposition, in professional and ambient ambit, to a good identified agent and, precisely, to the fibres of asbestos. Objective of our work has been to verify the incidence of the pleural malign mesothelioma in Sicily and in particular in the Messina's area, during the period 1988-2005. We have examined the epidemiologic data of the period 1988-1997 and 1998-2005 through the consultation of the Mesothelioma Sicilian Register; Mesothelioma Italian Register and of the available documentation in the Health Superior Institute. The study showed that the pleural malign mesothelioma in sicily and in Messina's area is reduced for the elimination of the asbestos and for the low use of asbestos in the sicilian industry.

[Whole-body vibration risk among operators in railway engines shunting ]. / Rischi da WBV in locomotive di manovra.

Purpose of the present note is to assess the risk from Whole-body vibration (WBV) in operators employed in the shunting of engines within the railway stations. The study has been conducted in the cockpits of the shunting engines used within the railway station of Villa S. Giovanni (RC). The measures have been taken through accelerometer IHVM 100 Larson-Davis, placed on the seat of each locomotives for a recording time of around 15 minutes. A standard measure has been effected besides, positioning the sensor on the floor of the same locomotives. The measurements indicate that the risk to these workers is negligible because in any case the value is exceeded action daily 0.5 m/s2, having recorded values range from 0.1 to 0.2 m / s2. In conclusion it holds him necessary, to the preventive goals, in respect to how much anticipated from the D.L.gs 187/05 the necessary technical, organizational and formative measures to the containment of the risk.

[Evaluation of noise risk in roadmen]. / Valutazione del rischio rumore in cantonieri.

The activity of roadman is not much knowed. The evalutation of the risk evidences the noise and vibrations as the principal polluter. The aim of our study is to go into the knowledge of the working risk of that job. The study was leaded on a sample of 287 roadmen. It was carried out an evalutation of noise exposure of the workers and a biologic evaluation that included: Medical check. Othorhin.laryngoiatric examination. Audiometric examination. Impedenzometric examination. The audiometric exam was conduced in a silent box and with a acoustic rest at least 16 h. The audiometric test were classified in conformity with Merluzzi-Pira-Bosio method. The phonometric evaluations point out, in roadmans examinated, hight exposure to noise with mean Lep d > 90 db. Biological evaluation, through medical check, showed data similar with that of a general group homogeneous for age and sex. Audiometric evaluation showed a noise acoustic trama in 60% of sample. Inpedenzometric exam confirmed the absence of transmissive damage in almost whole sample. In conclusion we can adfirm that noise is a strong factor for roadmen, with evident damage to exposed workers.

[Carpal tunnel syndrome among cashiers in commercial businesses]. / La sindrome del tunnel carpale in cassiere di aziende commerciali.

The Check-out assistants represent a working sector at risk of Work Related Musculo Skeletal Disorders (WMSDs). The aim of our study is to evaluate carpal tunnel syndrome's incidence in check out assistants. Our search was carried out on a sample of 695 female check-out assistants,after a specific risk's valutazion witch "chec-list application", during health surveillance. Subjects with an pand's painful symptoms or paraesthesias along territory of median were submitted to tests thath revial compression of median at wrist: Phalen and Tinel tests. Who were positive to painful symptoms or paraesthesias in both tests, were subjected to electromyographia (E.M.G.), gold standard for carpal tunnel Syndrome diagnosis. This sample was compared with a control group no-exposed to specific risk (all teachers) of equal number, age, sex and working age of our sample. Our results point out that: our study sample show more symptoms and carpal tunnel Syndrome than the control group; tere aren't statistically meaningful differences between test's positive subjects amd EMG positive subjects. We demonstrated that a careful anamnesis and objective exam can replace EMG.

Evaluation of obesity in healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an international social problem. OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed at evaluating the relationship of overweight and obesity with social dynamics and correlated biological indicators. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on a group of healthcare workers employed in a large hospital in the province of Messina (Sicily, Italy). A total of 1010 subjects (377 men and 633 women) aged between 16 and 64 years, living in the province of Messina since birth. The educational level, BMI (Body mass index), arterial blood pressure and ECG of each subject was examined. RESULTS: The results showed that 52% of the men and 66.5% of the women were of normal weight, while the men showed greater susceptibility to overweight (M 33.2% > F 16%). Obesity was found in both sexes (M 13.3%, F 13.6%). Moreover, it was observed that arterial blood pressure tends to increase with age and body weight, and that the incidence of overweight falls as educational level rises. CONCLUSIONS: The study supports the hypothesis that there is a growing incidence of overweight and obesity in subjects of working age employed in the healthcare sector.

[Evaluation of direct occupational ocular trauma using electrophysiological techniques]. / Valutazione del trauma oculare diretto occupazionale con tecniche elettrofisiologiche.

The most recent data from National Institute Insurance Work Accident (INAIL) confirm the high incidence of ocular injury as accident work. In this work the authors analyse the most common clinical form of occupational ocular trauma with the purpose to evaluate the use of electrophysiological tests in the diagnosis and in the follow up of these accidents. Authors admit the importance of more recent techniques as TC and MR in the diagnosis of these injuries; however, they conclude that electrophysiological tests can be considered as a first choice for the evaluation of the evolution and sequelae of ocular traumatism, for their low cost and easy application.

[Trawl-fishing: assessment of accidents at the largest Italian marine]. / La pesca a strascico: valutazione del fenomeno infortunistico nella più grande marineria italiana.

UNLABELLED: Fishing is a work with high accidents risk. The results of European Community Safety Commission show that in the fishermans the fatal injures are highest than in the manufacturing factory. The authors report the data of working accidents in the fishermans of Mazara del Vallo during the years 1989-98. The study shows 1. an increase the number of accidents in the last years with high incidence of accidents in the extracommunity population of fisherman, 2. the most incidence of injures is concentrated on arms. CONCLUSION: the authors shows that the working organization and the mediocre vocational training are the most reason of the accidents.

Effects of noise on functional cardiovascular parameters: a follow-up study.

The aim of this follow-up design study is to give a contribution to the knowledge of the controversial relations between noise and functional cardiovascular parameters. The study population consisted of 757 male employees working for 5 different firms in the oil chemical area (refining and distribution of fuel) with different qualifications--345 workers, 212 drivers, 200 clerks--and thus exposed to 3 different levels of noise (85-90 dBA, 80-85 dBA and < 80 dBA respectively). Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were monitored 3 days a week at the beginning of the working shift, for a period of 12 years. The analysis of the data obtained indicates that all the 3 parameters under observation tend to increase progressively with the age and working age of the subjects. In the comparison between the 3 levels of exposure, heart rate results not affected by the exposure to noise; systolic blood pressure results sensitive only for the discrimination of the effects due to exposure, showing a statistically significant difference only between clerks on one side and workers and drivers on the other; diastolic blood pressure is highly influenced by the level of exposure to noise, showing significantly different slopes for the 3 groups. In conclusion, blood pressure is a parameter definitely more reliable for the correlation to the level of exposure, while heart rate cannot be considered a marker of exposure to noise.

A comparative study: TTS Vs wave V after exposure to noise.

The pattern of recovery from noise exposure was monitored, with regards to the behaviour and electrophysiology in 25 normal-hearing subjects, at 4 KHz frequency for 30 min. Fatiguing stimulus was an octave band noise with centre frequency of 3 KHz. Subject's behaviour following to the auditory fatigue was studied by temporary threshold shift (TTS) paradigm. In the electrophysiological study, the auditory fatigue was measured as a shift of the wave V latency in the auditory brainstem responses (ABR) after noise exposure. This shift was measured at 40 dB nHL stimulus intensity ("Logon" with centre frequency at 4 KHz). The ABR recordings started immediately after cessation of noise exposure and threshold measurements 2 min later. The recovery of latency shift began immediately after the exposure and ended faster than the auditory threshold. From a practical point of view it means that in order to measure maximal values of latency shift, the ABR recordings should be performed immediately after cessation of noise exposure.

[Cognitive disorders among welders exposed to aluminum]. / Disturbi cognitivi in saldatori esposti ad alluminio.

In order to evaluate the relationship between exposure to aluminum and cognitive functions, a group of 50 aluminum welders underwent to the following neuropsychological tests: Wechsler Memory Scale, Color-Word Test and Raven Progressives Matrices test. The results of the tests showed a reduction of memory, of concentration and a slight reduction of attention. The authors conclude that aluminum exposure leads cognitive changes.

[Changes induced by auditive monoaural and binaural fatigue in TTS and the auditory brainstem response latency]. / Modificazioni indotte da fatica uditiva monoaurale e binaurale sul TTS e sulla latenza in ABR.

The purpose of the research was to study the TTS values and latency of fifth wave Auditory Brainstem Response in human monaural and binaural fatigue, using auditory evoked potentials. From the results obtained in 12 volunteers, it is concluded that during exposure to auditory fatigue, if only one ear is protected, the unprotected ear is subject to a greater hearing loss than would be expected with both ears unprotected. The practical implication of these conclusions is that subjects with unilateral hearing loss occupationally exposed to noise run a greater risk for the healthy ear than subjects with normal hearing.

Neurotoxicity induced by exposure to toluene. An electrophysiologic study.

The object of the present study was to evaluate, with the aid of electrophysiologic techniques, the alterations induced in the auditory nervous system by exposure to toluene in a group of rotogravure workers. From 300 workers who were apparently in good health but were professionally exposed to toluene, we selected a sample of 40 workers of normal hearing ability. They were examined with an adaptation test studied by the brainstem auditory evoked potential technique with 11 and 90 stimulus repetitions a second. The results were compared with those in a group of workers of the same age but not professionally exposed to solvents. Our study demonstrates that exposure to toluene is able to induce a statistically significant alteration in the electric responses with both 11 and 90 stimuli repetitions. This alteration can be explained as a toluene exposure-induced modification, of physiologic stimulus conduction mechanisms, even in the absence of any clinical sign of neuropathy. Furthermore, such a modification could be observed in the electric responses of the entire auditory system, from peripheral receptors to brainstem nuclei.

Neurotoxicity induced by lead levels: an electrophysiological study.

The object of the present study was to evaluate, with the aid of visual evoked potentials (VEPs), modifications induced in the optic nerve by lead, and to investigate the relationship between blood lead levels (PbB) and modification of the VEP. We studied a sample of 300 men with PbB values between 17 and 60 micrograms/100 ml. Our study demonstrates that alterations in the latency of the VEP are dependent on PbB levels, though there is not a directly proportional relationship.

Affective correlates of occupational exposure to whole-body vibration. A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to whole-body vibrations (WBV) represents a highly diffuse occupational risk. Some studies report that chronic exposure to WBV induces a significant increment in the modifications of the cognitive and emotional area. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of WBV exposure on the neuropsychic and behavioural system. METHODS: The study population consisted of 137 male subjects, mean age 45.7 years, working as drivers of mechanical trolleys and occupationally exposed to WBV of a frequency below 2 m/s2. The Profile of Mood States was administered to all subjects in a maximum time of 10 min and in the same operative conditions. The results were compared with those of a homogeneous control group by means of an innovative statistical technique. RESULTS: The results show a significant difference in the response to the neurobehavioural test. The exposed group showed, in fact, a higher score compared with the controls for all 6 factors. In particular, the scores for factors F (fatigue-inertia), D (depression-dejection) and T (tension-anxiety) were more elevated, expressing a significant alteration of the psycho-affective status. Moreover, statistical analysis showed a correlation between exposure time and the score obtained for all factors in the exposed group. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that occupational exposure to WBV is associated with alterations of mood status and that these modifications are directly proportional to exposure time. Furthermore, our results show that psychological tests commonly used in psychopathologic diagnostics can be useful in monitoring alterations of psycho-emotional status determined by physical stressors.

Spirometric function in non-smoking workers exposed to aluminum.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to aluminum (Al) causes the onset of respiratory disorders. This study is aimed at providing further information on how occupational exposure to Al affects the respiratory apparatus in healthy non-smokers, with particular attention to respiratory function. METHODS: A group of 50 male shipyard workers who were exposed to Al underwent medical examination, standard chest X-rays and spirometry in accordance with the C.E.C.A. protocol. The data were compared with those of a homogeneous group of controls, all with blood aluminum (AlB) levels below 7.5 ng/ml. Statistical analysis was performed on the following spirometric parameters: vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and mean forced expiratory flow during mid-half of FVC (FEF(25-75%)). Environmental Al levels were also measured at the various workstations. RESULTS: Fifty male workers with an average age 31.82 +/- 5.05 years, occupational exposure of 11.81 +/- 3.71 years, presented with average AlB levels of 32.64 +/- 8.69 ng/ml. Environmental monitoring displayed Al levels higher than TLV TWA for all the workstations studied. None of the sample displayed significant pathological conditions. Statistical comparison of the spirometric parameters showed a decrease in the examined values in exposed workers. This decrease was found to be directly proportional to the AlB level. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that Al affects respiratory function and that limit values should be reassessed.

Neurobehavioral evaluation in humans exposed to hydrocarbons: a new statistical approach.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological researches showed a significant increase in the alterations of the cognitive and emotional sphere in subjects exposed to hydrocarbons. This paper deals with a study carried out on a group of male workers between the ages of 35 and 40, who had been working as external workers in a large refinery. METHODS: All the subjects worked in short shift rotation and were exposed to hydrocarbons during the loading of tank trucks. The response data reported by this investigation are compared to data of different male subjects who had also been working at the refinery for the same period of time, but as administrative day workers, and were certainly not exposed to the hydrocarbons. The nonparametric statistical analysis was carried out by a new nonparametric approach based on multivariate permutation tests. RESULTS: Results show a significant difference in the response to neurobehavioral tests. The exposed group showed behavioral tendencies towards anxiety and depression that the nonexposed group did not. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that occupational exposure to hydrocarbons is associated with neurobehavioral modifications, and that the use of psychometric tests can be useful for monitoring the psychosomatic consequences by exposure to hydrocarbon microdoses.