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Biomedical subjects

P Comba

Publications and source records attributed to P Comba.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[The mortality among the makers of vinyl chloride in Italy].

A mortality study was performed on 5,946 vinyl chloride (VC)-polyvinyl chloride (PVC) workers of the nine Italian plants. The aims of the study were to investigate the cause-specific mortality of workers exposed to VC in production and polymerization stages and to ascertain whether exposure is associated with a higher risk of cancers other than liver angiosarcoma. An incident cohort was enumerated in five plants, a mixed cohort in two and a cross sectional one in the remaining two facilities. Cause-specific Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMR) were calculated for the six incidence cohorts with a sufficiently long follow-up period. Both Italian and regional rates were used for the comparison. A pooled analysis of six cohorts was performed. For deceased persons, information from death certificates was used in the mortality analysis. Additional clinical and pathological data were sought for all decreased individuals (Best Evidence = BE). The results of the study confirm the carcinogenic action of vinyl chloride on the liver but not on the other suggested target organs (i.e., lung, lymphopoietic tissues, brain). A deficit for all causes of death and cardiovascular disease was evident in most cohorts and in the pooled cohort. Analysis of BE data showed a broad spectrum of carcinogenic action of VCM on the liver as demonstrated by the occurrence of both angiosarcomas and other histotypes of tumours.

Cause of Death↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Mortality study of workers employed in the construction of railway cars in Collefero].

The mortality of 276 workers employed in a facility for the manufacturing and maintenance of railroad equipment has been studied in the town of Colleferro (province of Rome). The cohort was based on the 1968 payrolls, and follow-up was conducted up to 1988. Exposure to asbestos took place both during insulation (performed by specialized companies in the same workplaces where study subjects were operating) and during repair work. Mortality for all causes was lower than expected (45 observed, SMR: 71), while mortality from all neoplasms was consistent with expected figures (21 observed, SMR: 107). An increase for respiratory neoplasms was observed (10 observed, SMR: 138); the increase was statistically significant allowing for 20-30 years of latency (7 observed, SMR: 337).

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiologic study for the evaluation of the cancerogenic risk associated with pesticides.

A begun started Italian multicentric hospital-based case-control study aimed at detecting carcinogenic risk associated with pesticides exposure is presented. During a 2 year period, incident cases of cancer of various sites in adults of both sexes will be identified in five hospitals used by residents of five Italian rural areas (Asti, Imola, Pescia, Pistoia, Grosseto). Selected sites include the following: lip, oral cavity and oropharynx, oesophagus, stomach, colon-rectum, liver, biliary ducts, pancreas, larynx, lung, soft tissue, skin melanoma, skin other than melanoma, breast, uterus, ovary, prostate, bladder, kidney, thyroid, and lymphoid tissue. Trained personnel will interview patients about their total work experience, with special emphasis on activities in agriculture. Other relevant information to be collected includes pathological anamnesis and smoking habits. A team of coders will analyse the occupational histories using an a priori job-exposures matrix (JEM). The JEM will be specific with respect to type of agricultural production, calendar years, geographic location and pesticides. Each cancer site will be compared with a selected pool of the other sites. This investigation is expected to provide information on a range of associations between cancer of various sites and individual pesticides or mixed exposures. The study can be seen as a pilot study which could be replicated in other areas.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Mortality among lead-zinc miners in Val Seriana].

The mortality experience of 1392 lead-zinc-silver miners (Gorno, Northern Italy) employed in the period 1/1/1950-31/12/1980 and followed-up to 31/12/1986 was examined. Two separate estimates of the radon exposure level are available: 0.60 and 0.36 working levels respectively. The silica exposure level was not assessed. Vital status was ascertained for 95.6% of the cohort members and their mortality was compared with expected deaths based on national rates. Significant excess mortality from esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, lung cancer, respiratory tuberculosis, respiratory diseases and deaths from external causes was found among underground miners. Surface workers show significantly increased mortality from liver and bile ducts cancer, hepatic cirrhosis, respiratory tuberculosis and respiratory diseases. Based on the 16.4 excess lung cancer cases among underground miners and their cumulative radon exposure, an attributable risk estimate ranging from 9.78 and 16.31 cases per million person-years and WLM (Working Level Month) was calculated.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Respiratory disorders and lung function impairment in pyrite miners.

A research study was carried out at a pyrite mine in Niccioleta, southern Tuscany, during the period 1980-1983 to investigate the possible effects of gaseous and particulate pollutants on the respiratory function of mine workers. The study was undertaken to fill the gap in recent scientific information in this field and also collect data which could be used for future planning of epidemiological and environmental controls at the mine. For the most exposed underground workers a dust exposure of 1.04 mg/m3 of inhalable dust and 0.60 mg/m3 of respirable dust was found. The average quartz content was less than 1.5% in both types of dust. Median exposures of the most exposed risk group were 6.0 ppm for carbon monoxide (CO), 0.22 ppm for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), 0.09 ppm for sulfur dioxide (SO2). The health effects of gaseous and particulate pollutants were studied by comparing the respiratory symptoms and lung function data of the miners with those of a reference group. A significantly increased prevalence of simple chronic bronchitis was found among underground miners when compared to the reference group. This condition was not associated with functional impairment of obstructive nature. Chest x-rays revealed 14 cases of p type pneumoconiosis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The incidence of tumors of the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses in the district of Biella, 1970-1986].

The district of Biella in Piedmont (NW Italy) has one of the largest concentrations of the textile industry in Italy, traditionally manufacturing high quality wools. The present paper describes a survey of primitive cancers of the nasal fossae and paranasal sinuses diagnosed among residents of this area from 1970 to 1986. This study is a preliminary step in a case-control study aimed at investigating the association with occupational exposure in the textile industry. Seven cases were diagnosed in the 1970-75 period and 25 in the following ten years 1976-1986. The cut-off point corresponds to the year when the Hospital Admission and Discharge Registry became operative in Piedmont and Lombardy. The 1970-75 annual incidence rates (X 100,000, world standardized) were 0.5 both among males and females. Corresponding figures in 1976-86 were 1.2 and 0.2. Out of 32 cases, 16 were adenocarcinomas or adenoid-cystic carcinomas. Eleven cases are reported in the clinical record as wood or leather workers and seven as textile workers. Occupation was not reported for six cases. A case-control study is in progress.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Mortality of workers employed at an asbestos cement manufacturing plant in Senigallia].

The mortality (1948-1990) was investigated in 561 workers employed in an asbestos cement plant in Senigallia (Central Italy). A significant increase in lung cancer was observed in male subjects (SMR: 276; 95% C.I.: 175.2-414.8, 23 observed). The excess mortality was a function of the induction-latency time. Five deaths were observed among women, one of which due to malignant pleural neoplasm.

Asbestos↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pleural mesotheliomas in the Po River valley near Pavia; mortality, incidence and the correlations with an asbestos cement plant].

A spatial cluster of pleural mesothelioma cases was detected in Broni, in the Province of Pavia (northwestern Italy). Eighteen deaths due to malignant pleural neoplasms were observed in the years 1980-87 (SMR: 556; 95% confidence interval: 329-878) and the incidence of pleural mesothelioma in 1980-89 was 9.1 cases per 100,000 person-years among men and 4.3 cases among women. These findings are discussed with reference to the presence in Broni of a plant manufacturing asbestos cement products.

Asbestos↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A mortality study of recipients of compensation for asbestosis in Italy (1980-1990)].

The cause-specific mortality experience of a cohort inclusive of all subjects compensated for asbestosis in Italy (altogether 3417 persons--2776 men and 641 women), was studied from 31.12.1979 through 30.6.1990. Forty-eight subjects, corresponding to 1.4% of the cohort, were lost to follow-up, while it was not possible to ascertain the cause of death of 78 subjects, corresponding to 6.9% of the deceased. Observed mortality was compared with expected figures, derived from the Italian population mortality rates. The study showed significant increases in mortality from all causes (SMR 153, 1134 obs), respiratory disease (SMR 388, 218 obs), all neoplasms (SMR 192, 438 obs), namely lung (SMR 289, 190 obs), pleura (SMR 2745, 34 obs), peritoneum (SMR 1372, 14 obs), intestine and rectum (SMR 186, 36 obs) and ovary (SMR 545, 6 obs). A significantly decreased mortality was observed for cardiovascular disease (SMR 85, 266 obs), diabetes (SMR 37, 8 obs) and disease of the nervous system (SMR 29, 3 obs). The increase in neoplasms of lung, pleura and peritoneum was significant in both genders, while the increase in intestinal neoplasms was significant among women but not among men. Exposure in the manufacture of asbestos-cement products, the shipbuilding and textile industries accounted for most of the observed mortality excess.

Asbestosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[D.lgsl. 625/1994--Protection against carcinogenic agents: the obligation to educate].

According to act 626/1994, employers have the duty to inform and train workers and their representatives. The implementation of training activities requires the following points: planning the training program according to the needs of the target population, use of the methods aimed at promoting learning and the adoption of safe behaviour, setting-up of evaluation tools. The disciplines of risk perception and communication and adult training may provide useful contribution in this frame. At the light of the preliminary experiences in this field, the importance of the following items for workers, workers representatives and employers is emphasized: probabilistic causality models, role of cognitive and emotional factors in the learning process, definition of carcinogenic according to national and international organisation, meaning of TLV with respect to carcinogenic exposure, interaction between carcinogens in the case of multiple exposition, risk evaluation, preventive measures, transfer of carcinogen risk from workplace to domestic environment, due to lack of compliance with basic hygienic rules such proper use of work clothes.

Adult↗