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S Caroldi

Publications and source records attributed to S Caroldi.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The ceramics industry and lead poisoning. Long-term testing.

The investigation evaluates the efficiency attributed to some measures (improvements in environment, individual health habits) in reducing the risk of lead poisoning in the ceramics industry. The evaluation of the average levels of lead in the blood of 154 exposed workers was carried out in four plants at a time interval of six to eight months. The study considers the variations in relation to possible measures brought about during the interval. A reduction of environmental risk was in effect shown by a clear improvement in the blood lead levels, which still, however, exceeded the internationally recommended limits in many of the subjects. It was concluded that further improvements can only be made by reducing the lead content of the glazes used.

Adult↗

The ceramics industry and lead poisoning. Lead poisoning in relation to technology and jobs.

The investigation evaluates the risk of lead absorption for 288 ceramics industry workers. Cases were studied in relation to sex, type and length of exposure, production plant characteristics, and jobs performed. The difference linked with sex was amplified by the fact that men usually performed the decidedly higher risk jobs, such as those connected with the direct use of ceramic glazes, in which--although to a variable extent--high percentages of lead are used. In fact, decreasing amounts of lead absorption were found for workers engaged in the operations of glazing, kiln work, maintenance and decoration, selection coming last. It was concluded that, in the Italian ceramics industry, lead exposure is linked to the use of lead-rich glazes and that this exposure may thus vary according to the different jobs or different technological cycles. Although female workers primarily carry out decoration and selection jobs, they nonetheless show high levels of lead in their blood, exceeding 1.9 mu mol/l--the limit currently recommended for women.

Adult↗

Effects of disulfiram on serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and blood carbon disulphide concentrations in alcoholics.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of single and repeated disulfiram doses on serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity and blood carbon disulphide concentrations in a group of abstinent alcoholics. The increase in the blood concentration of carbon disulphide was dose dependent after the oral administration of 100-400 mg of disulfiram. Free carbon disulphide peaked at 12 h while the protein-bound fraction increased at least up to 24 h. Both single (100-400 mg p.o.) and repeated (200 mg daily p.o. for ca. 1 month) administrations failed to inhibit the activity of serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase. The repeated daily administration of 200 mg of disulfiram also had no influence on copper-activated serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, which was the same before and after 1-month treatment period. Contrary to the disulfiram group, the activity of the copper-activated enzyme in the serum of abstinent alcoholics declined significantly during the same 30 days.

Administration, Oral↗

Neuropathy target esterase in human lymphocytes.

Measurement of neuropathy target esterase activity (NTE) in blood lymphocytes has been suggested as a possible biomonitor for organophosphate-induced delayed polyneuropathy. Human lymphocyte NTE was characterized in vitro according to the sensitivity to several organophosphate inhibitors, which was found similar to that of the nervous system enzyme. Methods for collection, storage, and processing of blood and the NTE assay are described (averaged coefficient of variation of the method is 8%). The mean (+/- SD) value of lymphocyte NTE activity in a caucasian population (108 healthy subjects) was 11.5 +/- 2.5 nMoles/min X mg of protein. No sex or age differences were detected. The averaged intraindividual coefficient of variation was 10.1%. These results suggest the feasibility of the test in clinical conditions, a sufficient reproducibility of the test, and a large interindividual variation. Appropriate baseline values are advisable when using the test to evaluate the effects of an occupational exposure to organophosphorus esters which may cause delayed polyneuropathy.

Adult↗