[Alcohol use in the construction industry: results of a survey]. / Uso di alcol in edilizia: risultati di una survey.

The CAGE questionnaire, integrated with socio-demographic data, was submitted to 239 workers of two construction companies. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0. The association between alcohol abuse and other variables was performed by using the Chi-Square test and the possible correlation by using the coefficient r of Spearman. Alcohol abuse has affected the 21.3% of workers, with prevalence of mechanical fitters (80.00%), scaffolders (60.00%) and drivers (50.00%) and workers aged 31-40 years (28.33%) and > 60 years (30.00%). Alcohol abuse was associated with nationality (p = 0.001) (prevalence of 44.0% among subjects of European non-Italian nationality), marital status (p < 0.001) (prevalence of 55.55% among separated subjects) and education (p < 0.05) (prevalence of 28.18% among subjects with middle school diploma). The results suggest the need for preventive strategies and management of alcohol abuse, including for the possible interaction between alcohol and solvents, used in construction industry, in determining the "chronic solvent encefhalopathy" (CSE).

[Assessment of the risk of arm repetitive movements among workers in the motor vehicle glass finishing industry]. / Valutazione del rischio da movimenti ripetitivi dell'arto superiore in addetti alla rifinitura di vetri per autoveicoli.

The aim of the study was to evaluate risk associated with biomechanical overload of the upper limbs in workers exposed to repetitive movements, employed to the finishing of glasses for motor vehicles. The risk assessment was performed using the OCRA method (OCRA index for every worker and Check-List OCRA for every workstation) and the results have been distributed for exposure levels. Altogether the results suggested the existence of risk associated with repetitive movements of the upper limbs and different risk classes (high, medium, light, very light). OCRA index and Check-List OCRA values showed together high risk in the workers with age and employment duration great (respectively 20.68% e 27.58% of workers), with especially involvement of the women, employed to jobs with high frequency.

[Noise exposure in the coffee industry in the light of current community standards]. / Esposizione a rumore nella lavorazione del caffè alla luce dell'attuale normativa comunitaria.

And' is studied the noise exposure (with the calculation of the Lep,d) and the auditory function (with the method MPB 2002) in employed to the coffee's workmanship. The purpose was double. To deepen aspects a little studied thin to today and to compare the results with the "values limit of exposure" and the "values of exposure that make to go off the action" foreseen by the European directive 2003 of February 6th 2003. The data have underlined levels of noise below the inferior values of exposure that make to go off the action (80 dBAs) and absence of auditory effects from noise. The results suggest therefore the opportunity to extend the observations in other similar technological cycles, also to appraise other risks reported in literature as the cutaneous and respiratory allergies.

[Accidents among ambulance employees: epidemiologic features]. / Infortuni nel personale d'autoambulanza: aspetti epidemiologici.

The accidents have been esteemed that are verified in four years in a group of 824 employees. The study has underlined a meaningful percentage (30.1%) of road accidents. This suggests the opportunity of contemplate preventive actions: corrected maintenance of the ambulance, control of the conditions of environmental comfort, organization of the job, individualization of conditions that reduces the attention and the concentration, as the use of alcohol and of other substances.

Respiratory allergies on the staff of the police force.

The aim of the study was to evaluate respiratory allergies of an occupational nature in the staff of the police force. Five hundred and eighty-five subjects were submitted for lung function tests by dynamic spirometry. Subjects with a history of respiratory symptoms and border line respiratory function underwent bronchial provocation tests with methacholine. If FEV1 was < 80%, a bronchial reversibility test was performed. Allergic tests (skin and RAST) for inhalating allergens (perennial, seasonal and occupational) were performed. The results suggested asthmatic symptoms in 57 subjects, eight of whom were positive to skin and RAST tests for occupational inhalating allergens. Among these eight subjects, three had FEV1 < 80% of the theoretical value without therapy, and five showed obstruction of small caliber airways (MEF 25, MEF 50, FEF 25-75 < 65% of the theoretical value). The analysis showed a low percentage of respiratory occupational allergies. Among 21 subjects positive to Dermatophagoides, seven worked as archivists. In these workers, a concomitant occupational cause for the symptomatological and functional pattern was established.

[Audiometry in the cellulose industry]. / Audiometrie nell'industria della cellulosa.

A noise level dosimetry and audiometric testing were conducted in a cellulose factory to determine the hazardous noise level and the prevalence of noise induced hearing loss among the exposed workers. The noise level was recorded up to 90 db (A) in several working areas. 18 workers, potentially exposed to noise injury, evidenced a significant hearing loss. While no evidence of noise injury was recorded in a control group of 100 subjects. This finding suggest a strict relationship between audiometric tests, the noise level recorded in the working place and the working seniority of exposed employers.

[Fanconi's anemia: in vitro tests for the individualization of heterozygotes]. / Anemia di Fanconi: tests in vitro per l'individuazione degli eterozigoti.

Fanconi's anaemia (FA) is an autosomal recessive mutation associated with constitutional chromosome aberrations. Patient's cells show increased susceptibility to different mutagens, especially bifunctional alkylating agents. Asymptomatic heterozygotes have a population prevalence of 1 in 300, and have been considered at risk for cancers. It has also been shown that their cells are especially sensitive to some chemicals in vitro. Laboratory tests are presented and discussed which are adequate for FA heterozygotes identification and for understandings the basic defect of this mutation.