[Trans-muconic (t,t-MA) and S-phenilmercapturic acid: two biologic markers of benzene low dose exposure]. / Acido trans-trans-muconico (t,t-MA) e acido S-fenilmercapturico (S-PMA) due indicatori biologici per esposizioni a basse concentrazioni di benzene.

The aim of our study is the comparison between two different biological exposure index, trans-trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) and S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA), that are minor metabolites of benzene, in the exposure to low concentrations of benzene, to estimate which shows better correlation with the environmental exposure. The study has been conducted upon a sample of 105 male workers in a petrolchemical plant in Sicily. The environmental monitoring data has shown exposure levels within acceptable limits compared with TLV, and these levels have been confirmed by biological monitoring data. The comparison between biomarkers didn't point out particular differences and this data is probably connected to low found levels of exposure.

[Whole-body vibration risk among operators in railway engines shunting ]. / Rischi da WBV in locomotive di manovra.

Purpose of the present note is to assess the risk from Whole-body vibration (WBV) in operators employed in the shunting of engines within the railway stations. The study has been conducted in the cockpits of the shunting engines used within the railway station of Villa S. Giovanni (RC). The measures have been taken through accelerometer IHVM 100 Larson-Davis, placed on the seat of each locomotives for a recording time of around 15 minutes. A standard measure has been effected besides, positioning the sensor on the floor of the same locomotives. The measurements indicate that the risk to these workers is negligible because in any case the value is exceeded action daily 0.5 m/s2, having recorded values range from 0.1 to 0.2 m / s2. In conclusion it holds him necessary, to the preventive goals, in respect to how much anticipated from the D.L.gs 187/05 the necessary technical, organizational and formative measures to the containment of the risk.

[The risk of manual handling loads in the hotel sector]. / Il rischio da movimentazione manuale dei carichi nel settore alberghiero.

The aim of our study is to evaluate the manual handling risk and the incidence of muscle-skeletal pathologies in the hotel compartment. Our study is conducted on 264 workers of the hotel compartment. The sample is divided on the base of the working turn in the following groups: porter (both to the plans and in the kitchen); waiters to the plans; services (gardeners and workers). The duties have been valued according to the method NIOSH. The presence of muscle-skeletal pathologies has been verified on the base to the accused symptomology, and on the presence of clinical objectivity and to the reports of checks. The data has been compared to a control group. The application of the NIOSH method has showed for each working profile an elevated synthetic index, > 3, and for porter the index is 5. The clinical data has shown an elevated incidence of pathologies of the spine, especially lumbar spine, with a high prevalence in the group of male porters. In conclusion we believe that the manual handling represents a particularly remarkable risk for the workers in the hotel compartment.

[Malignant pleuric mesothelioma in Sicily. Epidemiologic observations during the time 1998-2005]. / Mesotelioma pleurico maligno in Sicilia. Note epidemiologiche nel periodo 1988-2005.

Pleural malign mesothelioma is the only one to which we can straight attribute to an exposition, in professional and ambient ambit, to a good identified agent and, precisely, to the fibres of asbestos. Objective of our work has been to verify the incidence of the pleural malign mesothelioma in Sicily and in particular in the Messina's area, during the period 1988-2005. We have examined the epidemiologic data of the period 1988-1997 and 1998-2005 through the consultation of the Mesothelioma Sicilian Register; Mesothelioma Italian Register and of the available documentation in the Health Superior Institute. The study showed that the pleural malign mesothelioma in sicily and in Messina's area is reduced for the elimination of the asbestos and for the low use of asbestos in the sicilian industry.

[Burnout evaluation in public employees in the South of Italy]. / Valutazione del burnout in impiegati pubblici di una realtà del Sud-Italia.

The aim of our study is to evaluate Burnout syndrome in workers of a city in Southern Italy. The study was conducted on a sample of 1779 subjects including (562 teachers, 476 care worker, 549 employees) operating from birth and residents in the province of Messina. The data and clinic information were taken during the health surveillance. All subjects were administered during the health surveillance testing Maslach Burnout Inventory (M.B.I.). The category of Teachers presents 114 (20%) subjects with the syndrome. The category of care worker 74 cases (15.5%), the category of employees presents 83 cases (15.1%). It can be said that today the class teacher is more affected than the others as witnessed by the scientific literature.

[Technopathic hearing loss and open fitting]. / Ipoacusie tecnopatiche ed open fitting.

The purpose of this study is to value the advantage of open fitting ear-moulds in tecnopathic ipoacusies. The study was conducted on a sample of 70 tecnopathic ipoacusics with a hearing loss in the high wave frequencies (4000-8000 Hz) ammounting to at least 50 dB; 20 of which already using ear-moulds. To all of them was applied, for three weeks, an open fitting ear-mould. At the beginning and at the end of the study, the sample was given a questionary to fill out. The analysis of the questionnaries has proven that among the 20 tecnopathics already using ear-moulds: A) 16 subjects have a marked preference for the open fitting ear-moulds, B) 3 did not encounter differences between the two types of ear-moulds, C) 1 declared a better adaptability to the previous ear-moulds. Over all, in the 70 subjects examined, this research's results allow us to conclude that: the use of open fitting ear-moulds improves the quality of the natural sound of one's own voice, the natural quality of sounds, and the hearing of speech in the presence of other noises, while reducing irritation of the auditory cortex.