[Pollutants from a plant which burns toxic waste in the Province of Arezzo (Tuscany Region, Central Italy): human biomonitoring pilot study to evaluate the possible type of environmental exposure]. / Inquinanti emessi da un impianto di incenerimento di rifiuti speciali nell'area di Arezzo: studio preliminare di monitoraggio biologico umano per identificare la possibile tipologia di esposizione residenziale.

OBJECTIVES: to identify the biomarkers to use in order to evaluate the level and trend of exposure to environmental pollutants from a plant which retrieves and refines precious metals and burns toxic waste. DESIGN: human biomonitoring cross sectional study on a small sample of population resident in the study area. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: blood and urinary samples, and questionnaires from volunteers resident at least for 10 years in Civitella in Val di Chiana area (Arezzo Province, Tuscany Region, Central Italy), where the plant is located, and in a control area; they had to be 5-year non-smokers or ex-smokers, in good health status and non occupationally exposed to heavy metals and/or combustion products. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: geometric mean and 95th percentile (P95) of mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) blood concentrations, and of the urinary concentrations of antimony (Sb), silver (Ag), arsenic (As), Cd, cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), Hg, nickel (Ni), platinum (Pt), 1-hydroxypyrene, and trans, trans-muconic acid in the two populations; quantity and pattern of porphyrins in the 24-hour urines of Civitella volunteers. Student's "t" test calculated on the means of data with logarithmic transformation was used to compare the two groups. In case of significant differences linear regression analyses have been performed using questionnaire information. The distribution of observed data was compared with specific reference values. RESULTS: Sb, Cd, and Ni concentrations were significantly higher in Civitella population (39 subjects), while Cr concentration was higher in the control group (18 subjects). No correlations with the individual characteristics have been observed. The 30.3%of subjects who gave their 24- hour urine had a distorted pattern of porphyrins. CONCLUSION: the results confirmed the need to perform human biomonitoring in the Civitella area, increasing the number of samples, using urine as biological matrix, and monitoring at least Sb, Cd, Ni, Pt, Ag, and porphyrins.

[Second-hand smoke exposure in Florence and Belluno before and after the Italian smoke-free legislation]. / Esposizione a fumo o passivo a Firenze e a Belluno prima e dopo l'entrata in vigore del divicto di fumo in Italia.

INTRODUCTION: a law banning smoking in enclosed public places entered into force in Italy on January 10th 2005. OBJECTIVE: to compare the SHS exposure before and after the coming into force of the new anti-smoking law, with direct measurements in public venues and workplaces. METHODS: vapour-phase nicotine was measured using passive samplers, with personal and environmental sampling. SETTING: samples were collected in 10 municipality offices, 10 industry buildings and 11 public venues (4 discos and 7 pubs) in two towns (Florence and Belluno) from november 2004 to march 2005. RESULTS: during the pre-ban period a wide range of nicotine concentrations was observed. Offices and industry sector exhibited very low concentrations, 0,47 e 0,40 microg/m3 in median, respectively. Highest concentrations were measured in pubs and discos (35,59 and 127,16 microg/m3). After the smoking ban, a noteworthy reduction in nicotine concentrations was found with a stronger effect in pubs and discos (95% of decrease). DISCUSSION: the introduction of a national smoking ban led to a clear reduction in SHS exposure, with stronger results in environments less protected by previous regulations.

[Environmental tobacco smoke exposure in public places in Florence, Italy]. / Esposizione a fumo passivo in alcuni luoghi pubblici in Firenze.

OBJECTIVES: Measurements of the environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in public places in Florence. This study was part of the first European multicenter project, intended to measure ETS exposure in public places in a number of European Cities (Florence, Barcelona, Paris, Oporto, Athens, Wien and Orebro). DESIGN: Nicotine vapour phase was measured using passive samplers, composed of a sodium bisulphate treated filter held in a plastic cassette with a windscreen on one side. The filters were analysed at the Laboratory of the Public Health Agency of Barcelona, Spain, by gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Nicotine concentration (in microg/m3) by public place, by smoking policy, and, for restaurants with separated areas, by smoking and non-smoking section. SETTING: Nicotine measurements were conducted in 5 schools, 3 university departments, 5 hospitals, 1 railway station, 1 airport, 7 bars, 7 restaurants, and 4 discotheques in Florence. RESULTS: The average nicotine concentration in discotheques and restaurants were respectively 26.78 microg/m3 and 2.32 microg/m3. In the other public places the concentration was about 1 microg/m3. In smoke-free public places the average concentration was 0.85 microg/m3; in public places where smoking is allowed concentration was higher (11.53 microg/m3). In the smoking section and non-smoking section of restaurants with separated areas the average concentration was respectively 2.54 and 2.14 microg/m3. CONCLUSION: The highest nicotine concentrations were recorded in discos and restaurants. A smoke-free public place is effective in reducing ETS exposure. Smoking and non-smoking sections in restaurants without a separate ventilation system seem not to solve ETS exposure.

[Passive smoking in bars, restaurants, and discotheques in Florence, Italy]. / Fumo passivo in bar, ristoranti e discoteche della città di Firenze.

BACKGROUND: "Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) exposure in a sample of European cities" is the first European multicentre project intended to measure ETS exposure in public places in a number of European cities. OBJECTIVES: To present results of measurements of nicotine concentration in a number of bars, restaurants and discotheques in Florence, Italy. METHODS: The ETS marker was vapour-phase nicotine sampled by passive monitors. At least two monitors were placed in each of seven bars (five in hospitals; one at an airport; one at a railway station), and seven restaurants (three with smoking and non-smoking sections), and left in place for several days. In each of four discotheques two nicotine passive monitors were used as personal samplers. RESULTS: The average nicotine concentration in discotheques, restaurants and bars was respectively 26.78 micro/m3, 2.32 microg/m3 and 0.83 microg/m3. In the smoking section of restaurants with separated areas for smokers and non-smokers the average nicotine concentration was 2.54 microg/m3, which was similar to that measured in non-smoking sections (2.14 microg/m3).