Environmental and biological monitoring of PAHs exposure in coke-oven workers at the Taranto plant compared to two groups from the general population of Apulia, Italy.

BACKGROUND: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure in the coke industry poses a risk for workers' health as well as for subjects living in the plant vicinity. OBJECTIVES: To assess PAHs exposure in coke-oven workers (CW) at the Taranto plant, Apulia, and in subjects from the general population living near (NC) and far away (FC) from the plant. METHODS: Exposure was assessed by personal air sampling and urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) measured in 100 CW 18 NC and 15 FC. RESULTS: Median airborne benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) levels were 152, 1.5, and 3.6 ng/m3 in CW NC, and FC, respectively. In CW, median 1-OHP increased from 1.45 to 1.96 microg/g creatinine (crt) during the work shift (p > 0.05); in NC and FC, 1-OHP levels were 0.56 and 0.53 microg/g crt. No significant differences between NC and FC for both air and urinary indices were found. BaP exposure in CW exceeded the recently proposed German acceptable (70 ng/m3) and tolerable (700 ng/m3) risk-based limit values in 82 and 11% of subjects, respectively. In NC and FC, BaP exposure exceeded the European target value for ambient air (1 ng/m3) in 67 and 60% of subjects, respectively. Biomonitoring showed that 21% of CW had 1-OHP levels higher than the proposed biological limit value for the coke-oven industry (4.4 microg/g crt), while 93% of FC, and 88% of NC, had 1-OHP levels exceeding the Italian reference value (0.3 microg/g crt). Among non-smokers, a linear regression between 1-OHP and BaP (Pearson value r = 0.65, p < 0.05) allowed us to estimate levels of 1.2 and 1.9 microg/g crt for 1-OHP end-of-shift corresponding to acceptable and tolerable limit values. CONCLUSIONS: Although lower than in the past, PAHs exposure in the coke plant still poses a health risk for workers and the general population and requires further efforts to improve workplace conditions.

[Environmental and biological monitoring of exposure to PAHs in Taranto coke-oven workers and in two groups of the general population from Apulia]. / Monitoraggio ambientale e biologico dell'esposizione a IPA nei lavoratori della cokeria di Taranto e confronto con due gruppi della popolazione generale pugliese.

The exposure to PAHs was assessed by personal air sampling and urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) in 100 coke-oven workers (CW) of the Taranto plant and in subjects from the general population living close (NC, 18) and far away (FC, 15) from the plant. Median airborne benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and 1-OHP levels were 152, 1.5, and 3.6 ng/m3 and 2.0, 0.5 and 0.6 microg/g creatinine in CW, NC, and FC, respectively. BaP exposure exceeded the German acceptable (70 ng/m3) and tolerable (700 ng/m3) limit risk based values in 82 and 11% of CW and the European target value for ambient air (1 ng/m3) in about 65% of NC and FC. 1-OHP levels exceed the proposed biological limit value for the coke-oven industry (4.4 microg/g crt) in 21% of CW and the Italian reference value (0.3 microg/g crt) in about 90% of NC and FC. The exposure resulted lower than in the past, but this study highlights that PAHs exposure from the coke plant still poses a health risk for workers and the general population.

Formaldehyde exposure and irritative effects on medical examiners, pathologic anatomy post-graduate students and technicians.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to formaldehyde (FA) causes irritative effects and induces nasopharyngeal cancer; the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, Lyon) classified FA as carcinogenic to humans, Group 1. Many studies have been published so far concerning the occupational exposure of industrial workers, embalmers, pathologists and anatomists to FA but very few data regarding medical examiners are available. METHODS: To assess the extent to which subjects were exposed to FA, airborne concentrations of this chemical were measured by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). In September-October 2006 we examined the personnel, which worked in an autopsy room (medical examiners) and in three laboratories of pathologic anatomy of the University Medical School of Bari, Policlinico Hospital, Southern Italy. Irritative effects were also investigated. RESULTS: All the personal exposure data obtained exceeded the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Threshold Limit Value-Time Weighted Average (NIOSH TLV-TWA: 0.02 mg/m(3)) and, in a few cases, even the American Conference of Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Value-Ceiling level (ACGIH TLV-C: 0.37 mg/m(3)). CONCLUSION: Irritative effects in more than 50% of the workers enrolled, increasing the risk of injuries.

[Occupational exposure to formaldehyde in autopsy room and in pathologic anatomy laboratories]. / Esposizione professionale a formaldeide in sala settoria di medicina legale e in laboratori di anatomia patologica.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the personal exposure to formaldehyde in an autopsy room and in three pathological anatomy laboratories. Passive sampling for the whole workshift and HPLC analysis were performed. The final result showed a remarkable exposure of the workers enrolled. All the data obtained exceeded the NIOSH-TWA and several cases personal of exposure levels above the ACGIH-Ceiling value (0,37 mg/m3) were observed in the anatomy laboratory.

[Biological monitoring in workers exposed to inorganic arsenic in a disused industrial plant in the area of Manfredonia]. / Monitoraggio biologico dell'esposizione professionale ad As inorganico in lavoratori di un impianto industriale dismesso nell'area di Manfredonia.

Inorganic arsenic and its methylated metabolities were measured in 108 spot urine samples obtained from the medical surveillance programme of workers exposed to inorganic Arsenic in July 2006. 15% of the samples showed levels higher than limit value of 35 microg/L (mean value 23,9 microg/L). After the improvement of the working conditions, in August-October 2006, we collected a urinary sample from each of the 108 workers enrolled. A questionnaire was also administrated, in order to investigate the influence of occupational and non occupational factors on the urinary arsenic excretion. The median value of urinary arsenic was 15,12 microg/L; among the 108 samples, 5% showed levels higher than limit value. A significant difference was observed in relation with sea-food consumption and aging stratification. In conclusion, we have described a significant reduction of urinary arsenic excretion between the two phases of biological monitoring, likely due to a proper hygienic work-related intervention.

[Acute pneumonia caused by aspiration of hydrocarbons in a fire-eater]. / Polmonite acuta da aspirazione di idrocarburi in un "mangiafuoco".

Accidental aspiration of fuel in fire eaters can cause an acute chemical pneumonitis known as 'fire-eater's pneumonia". We report a case in a 29 year-old fire-eater. Six hours after aspiration of kerosene, he developed fever up to 39,5 degrees C, dyspnea, cough and chest pain. Chest radiograph showed infiltrates in the middle and lower parts of the lungs and left pleural effusion. He was treated with an antibiotic and antipiretic therapy and then with corticosteroids. The acute stage lasted four weeks and the patient recovered without sequelae within 3 months. Hazard related to main fuels used for fire eating is discussed.

Biological monitoring and allergic sensitization in traffic police officers exposed to urban air pollution.

Urban air pollution is associated with an increased incidence of allergic respiratory diseases. The aim of this study is to assess the occupational exposure to urban pollution through biological monitoring of PAHs and CO airborne levels in 122 traffic wardens in Bari, Italy and to investigate sensitization to inhaled allergens in a subgroup of workers. After filling in a questionnaire on lifestyle habits and occupational history, a medical examination, spirometry were carried out and blood samples were taken; the measurement of exhaled CO and urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HOP) was performed and data on the air quality of Bari Municipality were obtained. Specific IgE dosage and skin prick tests were done on 18 workers giving altered values of spirometry or anamnestic allergic symptoms. Urinary 1-HOP showed median levels of 0.1 microMol/Mol(creat) (range 0.02-6.68) and was not influenced by smoking habits, work tasks, area of the city and environmental levels of PM10. Exhaled CO, with median value of 1 ppm (range 0-27), was significantly higher in smokers than in non-smokers, while no other variable seemed to play a role in modifying the levels. Specific IgE production versus inhalant allergens was found in 6 cases. Positive skin prick test results were observed in 11 cases. Allergic rhinitis was diagnosed in 6 cases. At least one of the allergometric tests performed was positive in 61 percent of the subjects. In conclusion, our results suggest the importance of introducing allergic status evaluation in this class of workers, exposed to several urban air pollutants.

[Adaptation of the TriTEST TM for the investigation of blood samples for a multicenter study taken to a single laboratory]. / Adattamento del TriTEST TM per la raccolta di campioni ematici in studi multicentrici afferenti ad uno stesso laboratorio.

BACKGROUND: Immunotoxicological studies in humans are usually carried out via the determination of some selected immune parameters in subjects occupationally and/or environmentally exposed to immunotoxic substance. One of the most often measured parameters is the determination of lymphocyte subsets, which needs to be carried out in a very short time (a few hours) after blood collection. This is the major problem limiting the determination of lymphocyte subpopulations in field studies, where samples are usually collected directly at the workplace, and very often at the end of the workshift. Unfortunately, these collection modalities significantly prolong the time between collection and analysis. The problem is more evident in multicentric studies, where a further problem is represented by the time needed to send samples to the laboratory. OBJECTIVE: Since an immune evaluation was planned, including the determination of lymphocyte subpopulations CD4 (T-helper), CD8 (T-suppressor cytotoxic) and CD16/CD56 (natural killer) in the project "Assessing health effects in man from exposure to low doses of inorganic mercury in environmental and occupational settings", a method was developed for performing cytofluorimetric analysis in "field studies". METHODS: The method is based on commercially-available kits, and involves in loco treatment. Whole blood is labeled with monoclonal antibodies, and fixed samples immediately after collection. After the treatment, the samples are ready for flow cytometric analysis, which may be performed after a two-day period from sample collection. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The method described is adequate for immunotoxicity testing in field studies because it prolongs the maximum latency time from collection and cytofluorimetric analysis up to 48 hours. A second interesting characteristic of the method is the possibility of using whole blood, without any need of either complex manipulations or particular equipment.

[Urinary excretion of arsenic and its metabolites in a population of adult males not occupationally exposed in the province of Bari]. / Eliminazione urinaria di arsenico e suoi metaboliti in una popolazione non esposta professionalmente di maschi adulti residenti nella provincia di Bari.

Urinary excretion of total arsenic (AsT) and other relevant arsenic species, i.e. inorganic arsenic (AsI), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), was assessed in 5 groups of subjects with different both seafood consumption and smoking habits. All 137 subjects were young (mean age +/- S.D = 21.7 +/- 2.1), without occupationally exposure to arsenic, males living in the province of Bari, South Italy. The separation of arsenic species was achieved by ion exchange chromatography and the eluted fractions were then analysed by means of Hydride generation-AAS. A quality control of the analytical data was performed jointly to a Belgian laboratory. Statistical analysis of collected data showed that the excretion of AsT is increased in the group with regular consumption of fish and shellfish.