[Cluster cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma in an oil factory]. / Cluster di casi di mesotelioma maligno della pleura in un oleificio.

BACKGROUND: The traditional occupational hazards of the productive cycle of oils are attributable to chemicals (use of solvents, pesticides and other agents), dusts, labour accidents (trauma, ignition, explosion), noise, manual lifting, work organization and hot-wet microclimate. The latest risk is due to the use of high temperatures (from 50 up to 250 degrees C) during the processes of extraction with solvent and refining. No cases are reported in literature of asbestos related disease in subjects who worked in oil factories. Nevertheless the structure and organization of the workplace, which is similar to that of sugar refineries, where cases of malignant mesothelioma have been described (moreover in workers employed in running and maintenance of the plants), led to the assumption that even in oil factories asbestos for the insulation of pipes and boilers could be present. OBJECTIVES: To describe 3 cases of Malignant Mesothelioma that occurred in workers of the same oil factory. METHODS: Since this occupational sector is not conventionally known for asbestos exposure the Local Health Unit and the Lombardy Mesothelioma Registry decided to investigate this industrial plant. RESULTS: Following examination of the archives of the Local Health Unit and inspection of the plant, an environmental asbestos contamination (pipes and boilers) was found. The 3 cases were defined as occupational disease and the required legal procedures were initiated. This underlines the importance of close cooperation with Local Health Units of occupational medicine and the Regional Mesothelioma Registry in the study and acknowledgment of cases which would otherwise not have been recognized, with consequent loss of precious information.

Erythrocyte antioxidant system and serum ceruloplasmin levels in welders.

The erythrocyte antioxidant system (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione) and serum ceruloplasmin were studied in workers chronically exposed to welding fumes and gases, which are thought to be oxidant pollutants. Fifty-four healthy men using two electric arc welding processes (manual metal arc on stainless steel and mild steel, and metal inert gas on mild steel) were studied. The possible effects of cigarette smoking were also considered. The erythrocyte antioxidant system was in the normal range for all welders. Serum ceruloplasmin was significantly enhanced only in smoking welders and higher in manual metal arc than in metal inert gas welders, suggesting that the increase is related to the severity of the oxidant threat, which is more stressful for the workers using the manual metal arc technique because of the presence of stainless steel particles in the fumes. Although cigarette smoking alone did not increase serum ceruloplasmin levels, it affected the response to oxidant stress in welders.

[Mapping of radiologic risks: community and hospital aspects. Experience of a local socio-health unit]. / Mappatura dei rischi radiologici: aspetti territoriali ed ospedalieri. Esperienza di una U.S.S.L.

A census was made of radiation-generating equipment and radioactive sources used for various purposes in the Local Health Unit of Rho, a small town in the Province of Milan, Northern Italy. Medical and industrial use of radiation equipment was found to be widespread, with a greater number of health care workers exposed occupationally but higher average levels of exposure in industry. In hospitals, independently of the formal classification, relatively higher exposure occurs among personnel operating in departments where radiological techniques have been recently introduced, due to a greater need for the personnel to operate close to the X-ray generator tube or presumably to an underestimation of a risk which is historically well known to radiologists.