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A Fedi

Publications and source records attributed to A Fedi.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Cancer risk among male farmers: a multi-site case-control study.

Farmers may experience exposure to several hazardous substances, and cancer risk in this occupational group is considered an important public health issue. In order to examine the association between cancer and farming among male agricultural workers, a hospital-based case-control study was conducted in five Italian rural areas. The cancer sites selected for the study were: lip, oral cavity and oropharynx, oesophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, lung, skin melanoma, skin non-melanoma, prostate, bladder, kidney, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In all, 1525 newly diagnosed cases, aged 20-75 years, were ascertained in hospital records, covering the period between March 1990 and September 1992, and for 1279 of them, a detailed exposure information was collected by a standard questionnaire. Data analyses were performed comparing each cancer site to a control group, including a subset of the other cancer sites in the study. Unconditional logistic regression models were used in the statistical analyses. Increased risks of cancer associated with agricultural work were found for stomach (OR = 1.4, 95%CI:0.9-2.0), rectum (OR = 1.5, 95%CI:0.8-2.7), larynx (OR = 1.4, 95%CI:0.8-2.5), and prostate (OR = 1.4, 95%CI:1.0-2.1). The excess of prostate cancer was specifically related to application of pesticides (OR = 1.7, 95%CI:1.2-2.6).

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Cancer risk among female agricultural workers: a multi-center case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Cancer risk among women engaged in farming has been poorly investigated. This group of female workers is of particular interest, however, since they may experience exposure to several potential agricultural hazards. METHODS: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in five Italian rural areas to examine the association between cancer and farming among women. The areas selected were located in three different regions (i.e., Piedmont, Tuscany, and Emilia-Romagna). The following cancer sites were selected for the study: stomach, colon, rectum, lung, skin melanoma, skin non-melanoma, breast, cervix and corpus uteri, ovary, bladder, kidney. Cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were also included. Altogether, 1,044 newly diagnosed cases aged 20-75 years were ascertained from hospital records from March 1990 to September 1992, and for 945 of them detailed information was collected by a standard questionnaire. The analyses of data were performed comparing each case series to a reference group drawn from among the other sites. Unconditional logistic regression models were used in the statistical analyses. RESULTS: Statistically significant increased risks in association with farming were estimated for skin melanoma (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2-5.8) and bladder cancer (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2-6.1). Lung cancer was also found increased but not at a statistically significant level (OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.7-4.4). An OR lower than unity was observed for postmenopausal breast cancer (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.3-0.7). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that women in farming might experience increased risk of cancers, not usually found in excess among male farmers, as well as a protective effect for postmenopausal breast cancer. The role of different patterns of exposure or gender specific responses should be considered in further studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Cytogenetic monitoring of a group of Italian floriculturists: no evidence of DNA damage related to pesticide exposure.

The induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), structural chromosome aberrations (CA) or micronuclei (MN) was investigated in peripheral lymphocytes of a group of Italian floriculturists exposed to a mixture of pesticides. No statistically significant difference in the frequencies of cytogenetic damage was detected between exposed and control subjects. Assessment of the effect of confounding factors indicated that smoking affected both SCE and CA frequencies. Multiple regression analysis showed that in heavy smokers (> or = 20 cigarettes/day), SCE and CA levels increased significantly by 17% and 54%, respectively, as compared to non-smokers.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Morbidity index in a working population exposed to low environmental temperature].

We have examined 4 factories with a working people of no. 85 employees, 34 men and 51 women, that are employed in several jobs, like cutting and cleaning fish or canning, packaging and storing in refrigerator cells. We have analysed absences out of work because of common diseases in 4 factories from 1999 to 2001 and we have calculated the morbidity index. To characterize the environmental climate in factories we have used a very known index called: the operative temperature (T.O.). Supposing that environmental microclimatic conditions could influence a lot of absences out of work because of diseases, we have studied and compared the average operative temperature measured in 4 factories and respective index of morbidity. We have observed direct association between increasing of morbidity and low operative temperature. Cold temperature is not the only environmental risk factor but surely it is an important evidence based working risk factor even if it needs further studies in other industrial activities.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Assessment of asbestos exposure, mortality study, and health intervention in workers formerly exposed to asbestos in a small factory making drying machines for textile finishing and the paper mill industry in Pistoia, Italy].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Three malignant pleural mesotheliomas occurred among workers of a small factory that manufactured drying machines for the textile and paper mill industries using asbestos cement (crocidolite, amosite and chrysotile) as insulating panels. The Occupational Medicine Unit of the Local Health Unit of Pistoia, Italy, carried out an intervention programme in the plant in order to 1) assess past asbestos exposure via analysis of the fibre content of samples from drying machines, and of dust samples collected in the factory. Information on the characteristics of occupational exposure was also collected; 2) investigate cancer mortality by means of a mortality study of the employees and, 3) carry out a health intervention programme in workers formally exposed to asbestos in the past. METHODS: Samples from the drying machines and dust samples collected in the factory were analysed using X-ray diffractometric methods. Information on the characteristics of occupational exposure were collected by interviewing plant workers. Two-hundred and fifty employees who had worked in the factory between 1962 and 2000 were included in the mortality study. Follow-up was performed from 1962 to 2002. Health intervention in workers exposed to asbestos in the past involved general practitioners and occupational physicians (first level medical examinations); pneumologists and radiologists (second level medical examinations) of the local health unit. RESULTS: Asbestos fibres were found both in samples from drying machines and in dust samples collected in the factory. Interviews with workers showed that asbestos exposure varied considerably. The SMR for mesothelioma and lung cancer in 234 male workers were 37.0 (95%CI: 4.47-130.0), and 1.29 (95%CI: 0.26-3.78), respectively, based on mortality rates for Tuscany region. Sixty-two workers underwent first level medical examinations; 57 second level examinations. Chronic obstructive lung disease was found in 3 workers; restrictive lung disease was found in 3 employees, one of whom had pleural plaques. CONCLUSIONS: Further investigation is needed in order to identify unknown asbestos exposures in small metal engineering factories.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗