Stime dell'antibiotico-resistenza in Italia e in Europa occidentale nel 2019: un'analisi comparativa basata su MICROBE.

BACKGROUND: antimicrobial resistance (AMR) will cause 10 million deaths per year worldwide by 2050, with economic costs of up to 100 trillion dollars. Antibiotic resistance (ABR) constitutes the majority of this health threat. Globally, 1.27 million people died in 2019 as a direct result of ABR. One in 5 deaths occurred in children under five, and 6 bacterial pathogens accounted for more than 70% of ABR-associated deaths. OBJECTIVES: to compare ABR estimates in terms of death and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 in Italy and in Western Europe (WE) by grading the infectious syndromes and the bacterial pathogens involved, with the aim to identify the most urgent healthcare needs in Italy. DESIGN: the estimates of the burden of ABR in 2019 in WE and Italy, extracted from the Measuring Infectious Causes and Resistance Outcomes for Burden Estimation (MICROBE) tool by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME; Seattle, USA), reported deaths and DALYs associated with 33 bacterial pathogens across 12 infectious syndromes, as well as deaths and DALYs associated with and attributable to ABR for 23 bacteria and 86 pathogen-drug combinations. The comparison between WE and Italy was performed in steps. First, among the 12 groups of infectious syndromes from the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) study 2019, the most impacting in terms of deaths and DALYs were ranked based on the magnitude of rates, and the corresponding ABR-associated burden was reported. Then, the burden of the leading pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and polymicrobial infections) for all infectious syndromes was compared between the two areas. Death and DALY rates associated with ABR were reported for each bacterium, together with the percentage of ABR-attributable burden. Although it is known that Italy is one of the WE countries with the largest share of elderly, crude rates were reported instead of age-standardized rates, in order to quantify the actual burden of ABR in the two areas. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Italy and Western Europe. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: death and DALYs rates per 100,000 inhabitants. RESULTS: the largest difference between ABR-associated death rates in the two areas was found for bloodstream infections (25.2 and 18.8 per 100,000 in Italy and WE, respectively), followed by peritoneal and abdominal infections (15.1 and 12.2 in Italy and WE, respectively). However, the percentages of deaths and DALYs attributable to ABR were always higher in Italy for all the infections considered. Regarding pathogens, Escherichia coli accounted for the greatest burden associated to ABR, in terms of both deaths and DALYs, in both areas. The highest ABR-attributable percentage of deaths was found for Acinetobacter baumannii (28.4% in WE and 31.9% in Italy), accounting also for the highest percentage of ABR-attributable DALYs (28.4% in WE and 31.7% in Italy). The pathogen-drug combination with the highest burden associated with AMR was Escherichia coli-Aminopenicillin, while the greatest AMR-attributable burden was found for Staphylococcus aureus-Methicillin (MRSA). On average, 55.4% of Escherichia coli was resistant to Aminopenicillin in WE, with Italy ranking third (67.6%). Nordic countries showed smaller values, with Sweden in last place (32.8%). The average percentage of MRSA in WE was 16%, with Italy exceeding it by more than 13 pointsConclusions: despite similar sepsis mortality rates in Italy and other WE countries, the proportion of ABR-associated and attributable deaths was higher in Italy. Targeted strategies aimed at reducing the circulation of bacteria and resistant microorganisms together with other interventions could lead to an overall reduction in deaths associated with ABR.

Human biomonitoring and personal air monitoring. An integrated approach to assess exposure of stainless-steel welders to metal-oxide nanoparticles.

In welding, there is a potential risk due to metal-oxide nanoparticles (MONPs) exposure of workers. To investigate this possibility, the diameter and number particles concentration of MONPs were evaluated in different biological matrices and in personal air samples collected from 18 stainless-steel welders and 15 unexposed administrative employees engaged in two Italian mechanical engineering Companies. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and urine were sampled at pre-shift on 1st day and post-shift on 5th day of the workweek, while plasma and inhalable particulate matter (IPM) at post-shift on 5th day and analysed using the Single Particle Mass Spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) technique to assess possible exposure to Cr2O3, Mn3O4 and NiO nanoparticles (NPs) in welders. The NPs in IPM at both Companies presented a multi-oxide composition consisting of Cr2O3 (median, 871,574 particles/m3; 70 nm), Mn3O4 (median, 713,481 particles/m3; 92 nm) and NiO (median, 369,324 particles/m3; 55 nm). The EBC of welders at both Companies showed Cr2O3 NPs median concentration significantly higher at post-shift (64,645 particles/mL; 55 nm) than at pre-shift (15,836 particles/mL; 58 nm). Significantly lower Cr2O3 NPs median concentration and size (7762 particles/mL; 44 nm) were observed in plasma compared to EBC of welders. At one Company, NiO NPs median concentration in EBC (22,000 particles/mL; 65 nm) and plasma (8248 particles/mL; 37 nm) were detected only at post-shift. No particles of Cr2O3, Mn3O4 and NiO were detected in urine of welders at both Companies. The combined analyses of biological matrices and air samples were a valid approach to investigate both internal and external exposure of welding workers to MONPs. Overall, results may inform suitable risk assessment and management procedures in welding operations.

The impact of COVID-19 on Italian dentists: A cross-sectional survey on 2443 participants.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of Italian dentists in terms of infection, strategies for infection control, organization of the dental clinic, attitude, and behavior. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey. The sample consisted of 8000 Italian dentists selected among 63,375 using a computerized random sampling method. An electronic informed consent had to be signed. The questionnaire categories were on demographic, infection risk management, organization, and dentists' attitude and behavior. Geographic macro-areas were used for subgroup analysis. RESULTS: Among 8000 invited dentists, 2443 agreed to participate to the survey (30.6%). Mean age was 51.2 years, women were 34.5%. A total of 6.1% self-reported COVID-19 experience and higher rate of infection was reported in north Italy compared to the south (p < 0.05). FFP2/FFP3 respirators (97.1%) and visors (97.4%) were used by almost all dentists. While, natural ventilation and mouthwashes were the most frequent approaches used to reduce the infection risk. Most of the dentists reported positive attitude, nevertheless 83.6% felt an increased responsibility. CONCLUSION: The self-reported COVID-19 prevalence was 6.1% with some differences among geographic areas. COVID 19 had a deep impact on preventive strategies, dental office organization, and behavior within this sample.

The endocrine disrupting effects of nanoplastic exposure: A systematic review.

Good mechanical properties and low costs have led to a global expansion of plastic production and use. Unfortunately, much of this material can be released into the environment as a waste product and cleaved into micro- and nanoplastics (NPs) whose impact on the environment and human health is still largely unknown. Considering the growing worldwide awareness on exposure to chemicals that can act as endocrine disruptors, a systematic review was performed to assess the impact of NPs on the endocrine function of in vitro and in vivo models. Although a limited number of investigations is currently available, retrieved findings showed that NPs may induce changes in endocrine system functionality, with evident alterations in reproductive and thyroid hormones and gene expression patterns, also with a trans-generational impact. Nanoplastic size, concentration, and the co-exposure to other endocrine disrupting pollutants may have an influencing role on these effects. Overall, although it is still too early to draw conclusions regarding the human health risks derived from NPs, these preliminary results support the need for further studies employing a wider range of plastic polymer types, concentrations, and time points as well as species and life stages to address a great variety of endocrine outcomes and to achieve a broader and shared consensus on the role of NPs as endocrine disruptors.

Health Promotion Interventions in Occupational Settings: Fact-finding Survey among Italian Occupational Physicians.

BACKGROUND:  Occupational Physicians (OPs) are essential for health promotion (HP) at the workplace, although their HP knowledge and perception are still under-searched. METHODS: Between September and December 2022, the Italian Society of Occupational Medicine (SIML) - HP working group performed a cross-sectional survey on SIML-OPs aimed to address their approach, experience, strategies, and needs concerning HP plans. RESULTS: A total of 336 OPs completed the questionnaire. Regarding HP's OP perception, this was reported as a social investment (34.45%) and shared responsibility for all the company's preventive figures (30.18%). Over half of the enrolled OPs declared to have been involved as HP plans' organizers (57.30%) or collaborators (54.80%) in the previous 5 years. The greatest percentage of organizers were in the younger age groups (40-59 years; 50%). Additionally, following a more limited number of companies, prevalently of medium-high dimensions, and more than 500 workers were positively associated with greater OP participation in HP initiatives. Promoting healthy lifestyles was the main target of the HP plans (88.64%). Interdisciplinary collaboration, OP training on HP procedures and information on the targeted population have been reported as effective issues to support an active engagement of OPs in HP. CONCLUSIONS: A general interest of the Italian OPs with respect to HP was demonstrated, however, information on the potential benefits of HP in workplace aligned with OP perceptions and needs seem necessary to successfully implement HP interventions.

HBM4EU chromates study - Usefulness of measurement of blood chromium levels in the assessment of occupational Cr(VI) exposure.

Occupational exposures to hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)) can occur in welding, hot working stainless steel processing, chrome plating, spray painting and coating activities. Recently, within the human biomonitoring for Europe initiative (HBM4EU), a study was performed to assess the suitability of different biomarkers to assess the exposure to Cr(VI) in various job tasks. Blood-based biomarkers may prove useful when more specific information on systemic and intracellular bioavailability is necessary. To this aim, concentrations of Cr in red blood cells (RBC-Cr) and in plasma (P-Cr) were analyzed in 345 Cr(VI) exposed workers and 175 controls to understand how these biomarkers may be affected by variable levels of exposure and job procedures. Compared to controls, significantly higher RBC-Cr levels were observed in bath plating and paint application workers, but not in welders, while all the 3 groups had significantly greater P-Cr concentrations. RBC-Cr and P-Cr in chrome platers showed a high correlation with Cr(VI) in inhalable dust, outside respiratory protective equipment (RPE), while such correlation could not be determined in welders. In platers, the use of RPE had a significant impact on the relationship between blood biomarkers and Cr(VI) in inhalable and respirable dust. Low correlations between P-Cr and RBC-Cr may reflect a difference in kinetics. This study showed that Cr-blood-based biomarkers can provide information on how workplace exposure translates into systemic availability of Cr(III) (extracellular, P-Cr) and Cr(VI) (intracellular, RBC-Cr). Further studies are needed to fully appreciate their use in an occupational health and safety context.

HBM4EU chromates study - Overall results and recommendations for the biomonitoring of occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium.

Exposure to hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] may occur in several occupational activities, e.g., welding, Cr(VI) electroplating and other surface treatment processes. The aim of this study was to provide EU relevant data on occupational Cr(VI) exposure to support the regulatory risk assessment and decision-making. In addition, the capability and validity of different biomarkers for the assessment of Cr(VI) exposure were evaluated. The study involved nine European countries and involved 399 workers in different industry sectors with exposures to Cr(VI) such as welding, bath plating, applying or removing paint and other tasks. We also studied 203 controls to establish a background in workers with no direct exposure to Cr(VI). We applied a cross-sectional study design and used chromium in urine as the primary biomonitoring method for Cr(VI) exposure. Additionally, we studied the use of red blood cells (RBC) and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) for biomonitoring of exposure to Cr(VI). Personal measurements were used to study exposure to inhalable and respirable Cr(VI) by personal air sampling. Dermal exposure was studied by taking hand wipe samples. The highest internal exposures were observed in the use of Cr(VI) in electrolytic bath plating. In stainless steel welding the internal Cr exposure was clearly lower when compared to plating activities. We observed a high correlation between chromium urinary levels and air Cr(VI) or dermal total Cr exposure. Urinary chromium showed its value as a first approach for the assessment of total, internal exposure. Correlations between urinary chromium and Cr(VI) in EBC and Cr in RBC were low, probably due to differences in kinetics and indicating that these biomonitoring approaches may not be interchangeable but rather complementary. This study showed that occupational biomonitoring studies can be conducted successfully by multi-national collaboration and provide relevant information to support policy actions aiming to reduce occupational exposure to chemicals.

Aerosol transmission for SARS-CoV-2 in the dental practice. A review by SIdP Covid-19 task-force.

Current evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is predominantly spread from person to person. Aim of this narrative review is to explore transmission modality of SARS-CoV-2 to provide appropriate advice to stakeholders, in order to support the implementation of effective public health measures and protect healthcare workers that primary face the disease. "In vivo" and "in vitro" studies from laboratories and hospitals confirmed the presence of surface contamination and provided insight of SARS-CoV-2 detection in the air, particularly in indoor settings with poor ventilation where aerosol-generating procedures were performed. Measures for aerosol reduction, in conjunction with other effective infection control strategies, are needed to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in dental setting.

Surface disinfection and protective masks for SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses: A review by SIdP COVID-19 task force.

OBJECTIVES: Primary focused question for this systematic review (SR) was "Which is the evidence about surfaces decontamination and protection masks for SARS-Cov-2 in dental practice?" Secondary question was "Which is the evidence about surfaces decontamination and protection masks against airborne pathogens and directly transmitted viral pathogens causing respiratory infections?" MATERIALS AND METHODS: PRISMA guidelines were used. Studies on surface decontamination and protective masks for SARS-CoV-2 in dental practice were considered. Studies on other respiratory viruses were considered for the secondary question. RESULTS: No studies are available for SARS-CoV-2. Four studies on surface disinfection against respiratory viruses were included. Ethanol 70% and sodium hypochlorite 0,5% seem to be effective in reducing infectivity by > 3log TCID. Four RCTs compared different types of masks on HCW. The single studies reported no difference for laboratory-diagnosed influenza, laboratory-diagnosed respiratory infection, and influenza-like illness. A meta-analysis was not considered appropriate. CONCLUSIONS: There is lack of evidence on the efficacy of surface disinfection and protective masks to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 or other respiratory viruses in dentistry. However, the consistent use of respirator and routine surface disinfection is strongly suggested. There is urgent need of data on the efficacy of specific protection protocols for dental HCW against viral infections.

Towards a toxic-free environment: perspectives for chemical risk assessment approaches.

Regulatory frameworks to control chemical exposure in general living and occupational environments have changed exposure scenarios towards a widely spread contamination at relatively low doses in developed countries. In such evolving context, some critical aspects should be considered to update risk assessment and management strategies. Risk assessment in low-dose chemical exposure scenarios should take advantage of: toxicological investigations on emerging substances of interest, like those recognised as endocrine disruptors or increasingly employed nanoscale materials; human biological monitoring studies aimed to identify innovative biomarkers for known chemical exposure; "omic" technologies useful to identify hazards of chemicals and their modes of action. For updated risk assessment models, suitable toxicological studies, analyses of dose-responses at low-concentrations, environmental and biological monitoring of exposure, together with exposome studies, and the proper definition of susceptible populations may all provide helpful contributions. These may guide defining preventive measures to control the exposure and develop safe and sustainable chemicals by design. Occupational medicine can offer know-how and instruments to understand and manage such evolution towards a toxic-free environment to protect the safety and health of the workforce and, in turn, that of the general population.

Occupational Medicine and Total Worker Health®: from preventing health and safety risks in the workplace to promoting health for the total well-being of the worker.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of Public Health interventions for global social and economic development. Still, the community's well-being depends on each individual's health. In addition to pandemics, health conditions can be altered by chronic degenerative diseases, aging, disabilities, and work. Personal behaviors such as poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use can also affect health and safety at work. In the last twenty years, we have witnessed rapid changes in the nature of work, workplace and workforce. In parallel, there is increasing attention to fatigue, psychosocial risks and the achievement of decent, sustainable and healthy work as societal goals. Consequently, in 2011, NIOSH developed Total Worker Health®, a holistic approach to worker well-being to help improve worker health and safety. More recently, in Italy, the Ministry of Health has provided for the preparation of projects according to the "Total Worker Health (TWH)" approach in the National Prevention Plan for the five years 2020-2025. As indicated by the Ministry, the strategic role of the occupational physician is fundamental, being the only figure of occupational safety and health professionals able to integrate the health and safety of workers with their well-being to reach the Total Worker Health.

Duration of SARS-CoV-2 shedding and infectivity in the working age population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, working age individuals have been implicated in sustaining the resurgence of SARS-CoV-2 infections, and multiple outbreaks have been observed in several occupational settings. In this regard, Occupational Physicians play a crucial role in the management of infected workers, particularly in the safe return-to-work of subjects after clinical resolution. To this end, knowledge of the duration of the infective phase in the working age population is essential, taking into account previous evidence suggesting that PCR positivity does not coincide with virus viability. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis, searching major scientific databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science, were performed in order to synthesize the available evidence regarding the mean and maximal duration of infectivity compared to the mean and maximal duration of viral RNA shedding. A subgroup analysis of the studies was performed according to the immunocompetent or immunocompromised immune status of the majority of the enrolled individuals. RESULTS: Twenty studies were included in the final qualitative and quantitative analysis (866 individuals). Overall, a mean duration of RT-PCR positivity after symptom onset was found equal to 27.9 days (95%CI 23.3-32.5), while the mean duration of replicant competent virus isolation was 7.3 days (95%CI 5.7-8.8). The mean duration of SARS-CoV-2 shedding resulted equal to 26.5 days (95%CI 21.4-31.6) and 36.3 days (95%CI 21.9-50.6), and the mean duration of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity was 6.3 days (95%CI 4.9-7.8) and 29.5 days (95%CI 12.5-46.5), respectively considering immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. The maximum duration of infectivity among immunocompetent subjects was reported after 18 days from symptom onset, while in immunocompromised individuals it lasted up to 112 days. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the test-based strategy before return-to-work might not be warranted after 21 days among immunocompetent working age individuals, and could keep many workers out of occupation, reducing their livelihood and productivity.

Silica encapsulation of ZnO nanoparticles reduces their toxicity for cumulus cell-oocyte-complex expansion.

BACKGROUND: Metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly used in many industrial and biomedical applications, hence their impact on occupational and public health has become a concern. In recent years, interest on the effect that exposure to NPs may exert on human reproduction has grown, however data are still scant. In the present work, we investigated whether different metal oxide NPs interfere with mouse cumulus cell-oocyte complex (COC) expansion. METHODS: Mouse COCs from pre-ovulatory follicles were cultured in vitro in the presence of various concentrations of two types of TiO2 NPs (JRC NM-103 and NM-104) and four types of ZnO NPs (JRC NM-110, NM-111, and in-house prepared uncoated and SiO2-coated NPs) and the organization of a muco-elastic extracellular matrix by cumulus cells during the process named cumulus expansion was investigated. RESULTS: We show that COC expansion was not affected by the presence of both types of TiO2 NPs at all tested doses, while ZnO NM-110 and NM-111 induced strong toxicity and inhibited COCs expansion at relatively low concentration. Medium conditioned by these NPs showed lower toxicity, suggesting that, beside ion release, inhibition of COC expansion also depends on NPs per se. To further elucidate this, we compared COC expansion in the presence of uncoated or SiO2-coated NPs. Differently from the uncoated NPs, SiO2-coated NPs underwent slower dissolution, were not internalized by the cells, and showed an overall lower toxicity. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that ZnO NPs, but not SiO2-coated ZnO NPs, affected the expression of genes fundamental for COC expansion. Dosimetry analysis revealed that the delivered-to-cell mass fractions for both NPs was very low. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, these results suggest that chemical composition, dissolution, and cell internalization are all responsible for the adverse effects of the tested NPs and support the importance of a tailored, safer-by-design production of NPs to reduce toxicity.

Spirometric reference values in the occupational medicine practice.

INTRODUCTION: Spirometry is the main pulmonary function test routinely employed in the occupational medicine practice. Its interpretation depends on the choice of the theoretical reference values. Therefore, our objective was to retrospectively evaluate the differences in the spirometric interpretation according to the reference values used. METHODS: A total of 2462 spirometries performed during health surveillance programs were analyzed. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC ratio were compared according to three different reference values: the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) 1971, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) 1993, and the Global Lung Initiative (GLI) 2012. RESULTS: The GLI 2012 provided significantly higher predicted mean FVC and FEV1 values compared to the ERS 1993 and significantly lower compared to the ECSC 1971. The GLI 2012 were able to detect all the obstructive deficits and mixed patterns diagnosed with ECSC 1971 and ERS 1993, in addition to others not diagnosed by these two latter reference values. The number of restrictive patterns identified through the GLI 2012 was significantly reduced and increased compared to those diagnosed using the ECSC 1971 and the ERS 1993, respectively. DISCUSSION: In comparison to the GLI 2012, the ERS 1993 values significantly underestimated obstructive and restrictive alterations. Conversely, the ECSC 1971 significantly underestimated obstructive changes, while overestimated restrictive patterns, compared to GLI. Although the GLI reference values may provide a correct spirometric interpretation, their validation in an Italian worker population is necessary to confirm their possible use in routine occupational health programs.

A critical review of methods for decontaminating filtering facepiece respirators.

Various decontamination methods that may be used to extend respirator inventories have been examined for over a decade. In light of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, many health-care settings are now implementing these techniques amid respirator shortages. We sought to perform a critical review of the available literature regarding decontamination methods to determine which strategies are effective at inactivating the target organism, preserve performance (filter efficiency and fit) of the respirator, leave no residual toxicity from the treatment, and are fast-acting, inexpensive, and readily available. We also identified areas for future research. We found that ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is the most widely studied method, and treatments are effective at inactivating SARS-CoV-2 without diminishing filtration efficiency or fit. These treatments were found to leave no residual toxicity for the wearer, have a relatively short cycle time of less than 1 h, and existing systems can likely be retrofitted to accommodate this method. Further, UVGI (among other treatment methods) has been recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and respirator manufacturers. Methods involving microwave-generated steam also show potential in that they are likely effective against SARS-CoV-2, preserve performance, have no residual toxicity, require a short duration treatment cycle (often less than 10 min), and microwave ovens are inexpensive and readily available. Steam methods are currently recommended by the CDC, OSHA, and manufacturers. These respirator decontamination methods are likely also useful against other viruses or pathogens.

[Validation of surgical masks during COVID19 emergency: activities at the University of Napoli Federico II]. / Validazione di maschere chirurgiche nella fase di emergenza COVID19: l'esperienza dell'Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II.

SUMMARY: During COVID-19 pandemic crisis, Italian Government has approved Law Decree no. 18 of 17 march 2020, in which art. 15 allows enterprises to produce, import and commercialize surgical masks notwithstanding the current rules of product certification. It is just required that the interested enterprises send to the Italian National Institute of Health a selfcertification in which they declare the technical characteristics of the masks and that masks are produced according to the safety requirements. In this context, a technical-scientific unit was established at the University of Napoli Federico II to provide interested enterprises with state-of-the-art consultancy, testing and measurement services, adhering to rigorous scientific protocols. Characterization tests were carried out on 163 surgical masks and/or materials for their construction and they have enabled the identification of pre-screening criteria to simplify the procedure for evaluating surgical masks using methods for assessing the filtration efficiency of particles and aerosols. Based on experimental results, it has been observed that a filtration efficiency for particles with sizes larger that 650 nm (PFE>650) exceeding 35% might guarantees a bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) higher than 95% while BFE values higher than 98% are obtained when the PFE>650 is larger than 40%. PFE measurement is extremely simpler with respect to BFE, the latter being time-consuming and requiring specific equipment and methods for its realization. Many tested materials have shown the capability to assure high filtration efficiencies but Spundonded-Meltblown-Spunbonded (SMS), that are layers of non-woven fabric with different weights of Meltblown, can simultaneously guarantee high particle filtration efficiencies with pressure drop values (breathability) in the limits to classify the surgical masks as Type II/IIR. In fact, the fabric products analyzed so far have not been able to simultaneously guarantee adequate BFE and breathability values. On the contrary, Spunbonds of adequate weights can virtually verify both requirements and accredit themselves as possible materials for the production of surgical masks, at least of Type I. Further studies are needed to verify the possibility of producing low-cost, reusable surgical masks that could meet the criteria of circular economy.

Personalised Medicine: implication and perspectives in the field of occupational health.

"Personalised medicine" relies on identifying and integrating individual variability in genomic, biological, and physiological parameters, as well as in environmental and lifestyle factors, to define "individually" targeted disease prevention and treatment. Although innovative "omic" technologies supported the application of personalised medicine in clinical, oncological, and pharmacological settings, its role in occupational health practice and research is still in a developing phase. Occupational personalised approaches have been currently applied in experimental settings and in conditions of unpredictable risks, e.g.. war missions and space flights, where it is essential to avoid disease manifestations and therapy failure. However, a debate is necessary as to whether personalized medicine may be even more important to support a redefinition of the risk assessment processes taking into consideration the complex interaction between occupational and individual factors. Indeed, "omic" techniques can be helpful to understand the hazardous properties of the xenobiotics, dose-response relationships through a deeper elucidation of the exposure-disease pathways and internal doses of exposure. Overall, this may guide the adoption/implementation of primary preventive measures protective for the vast majority of the population, including most susceptible subgroups. However, the application of personalised medicine into occupational health requires overcoming some practical, ethical, legal, economical, and socio-political issues, particularly concerning the protection of privacy, and the risk of discrimination that the workers may experience. In this scenario, the concerted action of academic, industry, governmental, and stakeholder representatives should be encouraged to improve research aimed to guide effective and sustainable implementation of personalised medicine in occupational health fields.

Setting up a collaborative European human biological monitoring study on occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium.

The EU human biomonitoring initiative, HBM4EU, aims to co-ordinate and advance human biomonitoring (HBM) across Europe. Within its remit, the project is gathering new, policy relevant, EU-wide data on occupational exposure to relevant priority chemicals and developing new approaches for occupational biomonitoring. In this manuscript, the hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] study design is presented as the first example of this HBM4EU approach. This study involves eight European countries and plans to recruit 400 workers performing Cr(VI) surface treatment e.g. electroplating or stainless steel welding activities. The aim is to collect new data on current occupational exposure to Cr(VI) in Europe and to test new methods for Cr biomonitoring, specifically the analysis of Cr(VI) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and Cr in red blood cells (RBC) in addition to traditional urinary total Cr analyses. Furthermore, exposure data will be complemented with early biological effects data, including genetic and epigenetic effects. Personal air samples and wipe samples are collected in parallel to help informing the biomonitoring results. We present standard operational procedures (SOPs) to support the harmonized methodologies for the collection of occupational hygiene and HBM samples in different countries.

Sub-chronic palladium nanoparticle effects on the endocrine reproductive system of female Wistar rats: Preliminary data.

The technologically interesting properties of palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NPs) allowed their widespread industrial application, although concerns emerged on increasing general and occupational levels of exposure. In this context, to assess the toxicological behavior of Pd-NPs, and particularly their endocrine disruptive potential, has become a public health priority. Therefore, we evaluated Pd-NP impact on the female endocrine reproductive system of Wistar rats sub-chronically treated for 90 days with increasing doses of this xenobiotic (0.12, 1.2, and 12 µg/kg, administered at days 1, 30, and 60 for cumulative doses of 0.36, 3.6, and 36 µg/kg) via the intravenous route. In this regard, we investigated potential alterations in different sex hormone, for example, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone, progesterone, and testosterone, serum concentrations. All treated groups showed significantly greater levels of FSH compared to controls, suggesting a possible impact of Pd-NPs on the regulatory system that controls the normal physiology of female reproductive function. Although relevant, since obtained under sub-chronic, low-dose conditions of exposure resembling those encountered in real-world scenarios, the present results are preliminary and require confirmation as well as identification of the possible underlining molecular mechanisms. From a public and occupational health perspective, implications for the reproductive health of exposed subjects and the next generations of women exposed during their childbearing age or pregnancy should be elucidated. This information is essential to elaborate adequate preventive strategies for assessing and controlling possible Pd-NPs adverse effects on the endocrine system.

[Nanoparticle exposure in research laboratories.] / Esposizione a nanoparticelle nei laboratori di ricerca.

SUMMARY: Aims. A growing number of workers are employed in research laboratories where nanomaterials (NMs) are synthesized, characterized, processed and investigated for their physico-chemical and toxicological properties. To adequately evaluate occupational risks in such contexts, a suitable exposure assessment is necessary. Methods. A critical review of the scientific and grey literature on NM exposure in laboratories has been performed. Results. The evaluation of the exposure, in general, includes a preliminary analysis of the working processes and of the features of NMs employed. Environmental and personal monitoring can be used for a quantitative assessment of the exposure, although the current uncertainties relating to the metrological parameters to be measured and the occupational exposure limits to be compared with collected data make the interpretation of the results and the definition of shared sampling strategies a challenging issue. Conclusions. To date, qualitative information on NM exposure can be used in "control banding" instruments useful for the precautionary assessment and management of risks in research laboratories involved with NMs. Future NM environmental and personal exposure assessments should be pursued to define appropriate monitoring strategies and guide the adoption of appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of workers.