[Progress of PTSD symptoms following workplace robbery: gender and age differences in a sample of bank employees]. / Decorso della sintomatologia psichica post-traumatica conseguente a rapina sul lavoro: differenze di genere e di età in un campione di bancari esposti.

This study is aimed at assessing gender-and age-related differences in PTSD symptoms in bank employees exposed to robbery and subsequently involved in Psychological Debriefing (PD). The study included 49 females and 51 males (average age 40.9). Impact of Event Scale (IES) was administered before PD (T0) and after 45 days (T1); Post-traumatic Checklist (PCL) only at T1. The sample exhibited a significant decrease in IES score regardless of gender. Female employees obtained higher IES and PCL scores. No age differences were observed. Consistent with most studies, our results may be explained by a higher susceptibility in women.

[Evaluation of radon levels in bank buildings: results of a survey on a major Italian banking group]. / Valutazione delle concentrazioni di radon nel settore bancario: risultati di una indagine condotta in un gruppo bancario di rilevanza nazionale.

UNLABELLED: Radon, the second cause of lung cancer after smoking, is a natural, radioactive gas, which originates from the soil and pollutes indoor air, especially in closed or underground spaces. Italian legislation recommends an action level of 500 Bq/m3 per year for occupational exposure in underground premises. OBJECTIVES: Since banks usually use various underground premises (archives, safe-deposit room), a study was made of the radon levels on such premises with the aim of identifying useful monitoring strategies. METHODS: 134 branches of a major Italian banking group were examined using 1817 nuclear track dosimeters at ground level and underground level premises. The branches were located in 7 Italian regions in the north (Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto), centre (Lazio) and south (Campania, Apulia, Sicily). Information on measurement points was recorded in a technical sheet and statistical analysis was carried out. RESULTS: Annual underground measurements gave an average concentration of 157 Bq/m3, with 5.1% for 400 < C < 500 Bq/m3 and 2.9%for C > 500 Bq/m3. Seasonal variability was reflected in a significant decrease in concentrations between winter and spring (delta(mean)% = -47.3%) and good stability between autumn and winter (delta(mean)% = 3%); moreover quarterly concentrations account for 85% of the variability of the corresponding annual level. A multiple linear regression model (R2 = 0.33) indicated geographic location as the principal factor in radon accumulation, followed by underground level, humidity, use, lack of windows, heating and natural ventilation, and direct contact of at least one wall with ground rock; whereas the safe-deposit room structure seems to protect from radon accumulation. Moreover, the ground level measurement results were significantly associated with the corresponding underground average concentrations (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results could be a useful tool in planning a monitoring strategy for assessment of bank worker exposure, especially for banking groups with a large number of branches.

[Indoor allergens in office. Evaluation of the work station]. / Il rischio da allergeni indoor negli uffici. Valutazione delle postazioni di lavoro.

House dust mite and other indoor allergens play a prominent role in the pathogenesis of asthma and other allergic diseases. Several studies have shown a close relationship between sensitisation and/or onset of asthmatic symptoms and levels of indoor allergen exposure. Aim of the study was to investigate the concentration of specific markers of the indoor allergenic pollution, such as Der p 1, Der f 1, Mite Group 2, Fel d 1 and Bla g 2. Dust samples were taken using a standard method by means of a 1200 W vacuum cleaner connected with a dust-sampling device (MITEST). A standard A4 size area has been vacuumed four times during 2 min. The concentrations of Der p 1, Der f 1, Mite Group 2, Fel d 1 and Bla g 2 were determined in dust samples from 53 different sources (office chair and carpet) using a commercial kit (DUSTSCREEN). House dust mite allergens were not always detectable in the offices. Indoor allergen concentrations (Der p 1, Der f 1, Mite Group 2, Fel d 1) were significant higher in the work station (chair) than in the carpet (p < 0.0001). Der 1 exceeded the current threshold for sensitization in about 1/4 of the samples. Der f 1 was predominant over Der p 1 according to other studies. A good correlation between the results of Der p 1 and Der f 1 was observed both in carpet and work station. Cat allergen was ubiquitous and predominantly detected in the chairs because of the employees' clothes. No appreciable levels for Mite Gr 2 and Bla g 2 were detected. Such an exposure for 8 hours in every working day may be an important occupational risk for the development of sensitization/elicitation symptoms to house dust mite. To reduce mite allergen levels are necessary preventive measure by means of specific techniques and products as barriers for preventing the direct contact with allergens.

[Check-list for inspection in banks]. / Check list per il sopralluogo nel comparto bancario.

We suggest a checklist for inspection in banks. The checklist is composed of 14 schedules where information on bank clerks and buildings is collected. Principle risk factors are analysed (workplaces, lighting and noise, air quality, emergency management). The critical points are observed and the times of intervention are established. Then follows data processing and the reports are transmitted to the employer. The checklist, tested on 250 workplaces, allows us to identify the interventions having priority to be realized through appropriate planning. A quantitative evaluation of the risk is matched with immediate and brief operative indications. The situations to improve are: cleanliness of workplaces, thermal comfort, electricity/telephone wires. The checklist seems to be a valid instrument for the evaluation of risk factors, their management and times of intervention. Such instrument simplifies, moreover, the employer choices of intervention.