Biomedical subjects

O Mayan

Publications and source records attributed to O Mayan.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Genotoxic effects in a population of nurses handling antineoplastic drugs, and relationship with genetic polymorphisms in DNA repair enzymes.

BACKGROUND: Concern about the genotoxic risk associated with chronic handling of antineoplastic drugs has increased, and usual safety practices may not avoid exposure. METHODS: Comet assay and MN test were performed on 30 oncology nurses and 22 controls. Genetic polymorphisms of XRCC1, XRCC3, and APE1 genes were determined by PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: Data obtained showed increased cytogenetic and DNA damage in the exposed group, although statistical significance was only reached in the comet assay. Significant differences in TL were observed for carriers of the variant alleles of every gene analyzed. However, no significant effect was detected in the MN test. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence that the present handling practices of antineoplastic drugs in some Portuguese hospitals are not enough to prevent exposure are provided. Present data suggest that genetic polymorphisms in the studied DNA repair enzymes may influence the individual susceptibility to DNA damage related to chronic handling of antineoplastic drugs.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Biological monitoring of n-hexane exposure in Portuguese shoe manufacturing workers.

Occupational risk of exposure to organic solvents concerned many shoe manufacturing workers. The most common organic solvents found in workplace environments were n-hexane and others hexane isomers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure of shoe manufacturing workers to n-hexane, with 2,5 hexanedione in urine (2,5HD) as a biomarker and to investigate effect in 2,5 HD excretion of the co-exposure to other organic solvents. Post-shift urine samples from workers who performed gluing tasks (n = 45) in five shoe manufacturers were collected, as well as urine samples from a similar number of unexposed controls (n = 51) in the same factories. 2,5 HD was measured by capillary gas chromatography. Air monitoring of organic solvents in the workplaces was performed and the compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography. Significant more 2,5 HD was found in the urine of personnel who performed gluing tasks than in the unexposed workers. A significant correlation was observed between n-hexane exposure and urinary 2,5 HD, with a high correlation coefficient. Multiple regression analysis indicated that n-hexane exposure and co-exposure to others solvents were significant predictors of the concentration of 2,5 HD. Co-exposure led to higher urinary 2,5 HD concentrations. The significant effect of co-exposure reinforces the interest of biological monitoring for n-hexane exposure evaluation. In case of multiple exposures, biological monitoring can be a better predictive measurement for early detection of n-hexane neurotoxic lesions than air monitoring data.

Adhesives↗

PubMed1999

Shoe manufacturing and solvent exposure in northern Portugal.

Shoe manufacturing is a traditional industry in northern Portugal. There are nearly 1500 factories that employ about 54,000 workers. Among the materials used in the shoe manufacturing process, that could be occupational hazards, are the adhesives, especially adhesives solutions based on organic solvents. The National Institute of Health (Oporto Branch) carried out a study of 100 factories in northern Portugal to study solvent exposure in shoe manufacturing. The surveyed population, (4615 workers) was young (mean age = 33 years; range = 18-45) and predominantly female (68.5%). The results from the air samples analyses show 20 different organic compounds existing in the workplaces. The more common compounds found were n-hexane, toluene, and acetone. The results of the study show that in 53.7 percent of the factories there are operations where the solvent exposure is significant and represents a health hazard to the workers. These operations are mainly gluing, waxing, and polishing stations. Occupational risk of exposure to solvents concerned 44.2 percent of the workers. This study points out the existence of inadequate ventilation in the workplaces and inappropriate personal protective equipment to prevent dermatitis risk from adhesives, wax, and polish. The organic solvents present in workplaces also increase fire risk.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Prevalence of respiratory diseases in the textile industry. Relation with dust levels].

Many workers in the textile industry have respiratory symptoms that are related to their work environment. In this study we observed the dust level conditions of eleven textile industries of the North of Portugal. The dust levels determined were between 0.1 mg/m3 and 1.25 mg/m3, in many cases above the Portuguese standard levels of exposure (VLE). For these dust levels we found a prevalence of 23% of workers with respiratory symptoms with occupational characteristics in 10.8%, and 5.7% presenting byssinosis. Workers exposed to cotton fibres in spinning areas have the highest prevalence of symptoms, and reduction of the FEV1. These characteristics were related to dust levels and were higher in the initial phases of the spinning processes. We found no cases of byssinosis in workers exposed to synthetic fibres, or in workers from weaving areas. Smoking habits were related to the reduction of the FEV1, and severity of respiratory illness but not to the presence of byssinosis.

Dust↗

PubMed1997

[Respiratory symptoms in the textile industry. Their prevalence in the Vale do Ave].

Some workers in the textile industry have respiratory symptoms related to their occupation. This study is aimed at evaluating the frequency of respiratory symptoms in textile industries in the North of Portugal. We evaluated 3529 workers from 20 factories (19 deal with synthetic fibres and cotton and the other deals with sisal.) Among the workers, there were 34.5% with respiratory symptoms - 24,5% referred nasal symptoms, 22,6% with bronchial symptoms and 12,6% associated both. The workers who dealt with cotton presented a higher frequency of bronchial symptoms (25,0%) than the ones dealing with synthetic fibres (12,7% p < 0,000001). The same was noticed among the workers in the opening and spinning areas, who showed a higher frequency of bronchial symptoms (28,3%) than the ones in weaving areas (12,7% p < 0,000001). We did not find any differences concerning the frequency of symptoms among the workers handling both natural fibres (cotton and sisal). Individually all the symptoms were more frequent among the workers handling natural fibres. The most frequent symptom depended on the fibre. Cough was more frequently mentioned among the workers handling synthetic fibres (9.6%) and cotton (15.7%). Among the workers who handle sisal, dyspnea was the most frequently mentioned (16.9%). Productive cough was the most frequent association (7.2% sisal; 2.8% synthetic; 8.0% cotton), and the association between dyspnea and wheezing the least mentioned (6.4% sisal; 0.5% synthetic; 5.9% cotton). The workers with bronchial symptoms (synthetic fibre and cotton) have more years of exposure and greater smoking habits. In a covariance adjusted for age and smoking habits, the workers with bronchial symptoms, exposed to cotton have more years of exposure.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[Children and lead exposure. Preliminary study].

UNLABELLED: Lead poisoning is one of the most common and preventable childhood illness. The authors believe that the present study is the first evaluation of this problem in Portugal. OBJECTIVES: a) to characterize blood lead levels in children aged 1 to 6 years living in the Oporto area; b) to identify risk groups and develop screening strategies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors studied an opportunistic sample of children that were observed at the Hospital Maria Pia and the Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge (Porto) to whom blood testing was requested. All children with neurological or digestive symptoms were excluded (October-December 1991; n = 113). RESULTS: One child had a blood lead level of 46.6 micrograms/dl (class-IV, CDC); 32% (n = 36) were between 20 e 44 micrograms/dl (class-III), while only four children (3.2%) presented values < = 9 micrograms/dl (class-I). Class II included the remainder (n = 73). The results clearly point out that lead poisoning is a real problem among Portuguese children, since the proportion of children not considered to be lead-poisoned is very small. Children in the other classes are at risk of developing acute and chronic toxicity.

Child, Preschool↗