To ascertain the prevalence and risk factors in isocyanate asthma, we made a mail survey in a sample of workers in the wooden furniture industry, which uses large quantities of isocyanate-paints. Firms making up the initial sample, chosen from a register in the Veneto region, were asked to cooperate in the study. The study population, selected from the respondent firms, consisted of 1,430 subjects (about 2% of the parent population). Each subject received a self-administered questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and occupational history; this was mailed to his/her workplace. Completed questionnaires were returned by 730 subjects, who made up 51% of the population under examination (about 1% of the parent population). Fifteen subjects had suffered their first attack of asthma while in their present job: of these 7 were among the 121 who used paints (5.8% prevalence), and 8 were among the 609 who had no exposure (1.4% prevalence). The risk of asthma in the former group was therefore almost 5 times the risk in the latter. This result, however, is probably an underestimation because of the cross-sectional design of our study; at the time of study many asthmatics had already left their factory. There was a dose-response relationship between asthma and the length of exposure to isocyanates, the prevalence increasing from 2.2% in subjects with less than 20 years to 27.3% in workers with over 20 years' exposure. Lower prevalence of isocyanate asthma was found in the larger firms, where airborne exposure to isocyanate was believed to be lower. The continuous mode of exposure increased the risk of developing symptoms of asthma rather than intermittent acute exposure to high concentrations of isocyanates. Among painters, the prevalence of asthma ranged from 7.1% in non-smokers to 2.9% in smokers. As smoking appears to increase IgE production, a nonallergic mechanism may underlie isocyanate-induced occupational asthma.

Asthma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Mortality by tumors and other causes in dairy cattle and other agricultural workers in Veneto].

The study was conducted to verify a reduction in mortality from tumors in dairy farm workers, exposed to endotoxins, which increase in the host a cytotoxic antitumoral. From the SCAU files of the Province of Padova, we selected 2.415 subjects with informations on: date of hire, date of work termination, number of dairy cattle, area of the farm. The vital status was ascertained through the Communes of residence, and for the 541 decedents the cause of death was established. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated on the basis of age-sex-cause-calendar period specific mortality rates in the Veneto. In the 1.641 dairy farm workers, SMRs were significantly low for total tumors (= 81) and lung tumors (= 66), and significantly high for brain tumors (= 283). In other 774 farmers, no significant SMRs were observed. The data will be further processed to verify a dose-response relationship with the occupational risk indicators. Smoking habits will be collected.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Changes in the respiratory function of iron-foundry workers].

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Environmental Exposure↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Reduction of the lung cancer risk among dairy ranchers: dose response relationship with the traditional indicators of professional exposure].

An epidemiological study of mortality was carried out in the Province of Padua in a cohort of family farmers. The subjects, identified from the SCAU files, were enrolled in the cohort if informations were available on complete registry data, date of beginning and of termination of farm work, size of farm, and number of dairy cattle. The 2,415 farmers selected were followed-up for mortality through the registry offices of their Communes of residence. The cause of death was obtained for the 541 decedents. The standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was the ratio between observed and expected mortality, calculated on the basis of the mortality rates in the regional general population. The lung cancer SMR was 0.54 (0.36-0.79; observed = 27) among the 1641 dairy farmers, and 0.78 (0.46-1.25; observed = 17) among the 774 arable farmers. Among dairy farmers, moreover, lung cancer SMRs showed a significant trend across the quartiles of length of work, number of cattle, area of farm, age at beginning farm work, and age at work termination. Dairy farmers are known to be exposed to higher airborne endotoxin concentrations, and it is reasonable to assume that this cumulative exposure further increases with years of work, number of cattle, and area of farm. Microbial endotoxin might have protected dairy farmers against lung cancer through a host factor, the Tumor Necrosis Factor, produced by alveolar macrophages.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiology of chronic non-specific lung disease in a population exposed to isocyanate. I: Analysis of symptoms.

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Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Work and chronic health effects among fishermen in Chioggia, Italy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether there is an association between deep-sea fishing and common chronic disease. METHODS: The study was cross-sectional, simultaneously considering groups of fishermen and non-fishermen. Information on life-style and work was collected by means of questionnaires, and clinical data were collected by specialists in: Internal Medicine (general clinical examination), Cardiology (ECG, measurement of arterial pressure), Pneumology (measurement of spirometric volumes), ENT (clinical examination of the ear, nose and throat, including audiometry), Ophthalmology (examination of lens). Beside the common statistical methods, the logistic stepwise regression analysis was used in order to find the risk factors of the diseases, and to correct the risk estimates for the confounding variables. RESULTS: Fisherman had prolonged hours of continuous work, which were found to be correlated with high cigarette and alcohol consumption. Significant associations were found between, on the one hand, work accidents, noise-induced hearing loss, solar keratosis, cataracts, obstructive bronchitis, rhino-sinusitis, otitis media with tympanic perforation, ECG alterations, and, on the other hand, various aspects of fisherman occupation, mainly fishing in high sea and work duration as fisherman. CONCLUSION: Deep-sea fishing is a stressful and risky work; a reduction in the number of years at sea with reduced exposure to noise, poor weather conditions and sun, and a lower consumption of cigarettes and alcohol might result in fewer skin, eye respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and injuries.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The toxicology and prevention of the risks of occupational exposure to aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons. I. Guide lines for the prevention of the risks of occupational exposure to aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons. Società Italiana Valori di Riferimento and Cattedra di Medicina del Lavoro, Università di Brescia].

These guidelines mainly deal with prevention of carcinogenic effects following occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). After some toxicological remarks, the guidelines define a possible method to demonstrate and evaluate occupational exposure to PAH. In particular, it is illustrated the strategy of environmental monitoring and indicated which PAH should be measured, with suggestion about the most appropriate analytical techniques. As regards biological monitoring, the 1-OH-pyreneseems to be currently the most useful indicator since it reflects the recent and global exposure to PAH. The guidelines also give elements to interpret monitoring data, taking into account environmental and biological reference and limit values suggested by some authors, Associations, or current regulations. The most important health effects are carcinogenic and excess risks have been described mainly for lung, bladder and skin cancer in some PAH exposed workers. The studies on cytogenetic effects showed contradictory results. On the basis of such information and current regulations, the guidelines show how to perform health surveillance in preventive and periodical examinations and how to proceed for the information and formation of exposed workers. It is not advisable, on the basis of the current scientific data, to screen asymptomatic PAH exposed workers for early diagnosis of lung or bladder cancer, nor it is opportune the use of tumor markers for health surveillance nor is genetic screening applicable for individual susceptibility evaluation outside research programs.

Carcinogens↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The toxicology and prevention of the risks of occupational exposure to aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons. III. The effects: epidemiological evidence, early effects. Individual hypersusceptibility. Health surveillance].

Adverse effects following occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are mainly carcinogenic. The available epidemiological data suggest that some substances and industrial processes, in which PAH exposure is frequent, are classified as carcinogenic to humans: primary aluminium industry, cola gasification, coke production, iron and steel foundry, coal tar, pitch, creosote, untreated mineral oils, asphalt, soot. The target organs are mainly lung, bladder, skin. Other relevant effects are skin lesions such as folliculitis. The studies on early biological effects (chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges, micronuclei) have shown contradictory results, mainly because of differences in exposure intensity. The metabolic polymorphism may account for a higher susceptibility to lung and bladder cancer following exposure to risk factors; the role of PAH occupational exposure is however to be examined, and the use of indicators of genetic susceptibility is currently limited to research programs. Health surveillance for PAH exposed workers is funded on the Italian laws (DPR 303/56 and D.Lgs. 626/94) and it is mainly dedicated to prevention of carcinogenic effects. Preventive examinations should consider PAH target organs (skin, lung, bladder, larynx) and look for early signs and symptoms. Particular attention will be paid to life habits such as tobacco smoking or diseases which could represent condition of susceptibility. Periodical examinations (every six months) will similarly evaluate PAH target organs. Health surveillance is also programmed for formerly exposed workers and the institution of exposure and cancer registries is mandatory. On the basis of the current scientific data, it is not advisable the use of tumor markers or cytogenetic tests at the individual level as well as the screening of asymptomatic PAH exposed workers for early diagnosis of lung or bladder cancer. Information and formation activities will be part of medical examinations and will be included in specific programs in cooperation with other company functions.

Carcinogens↗