[Polyneuropathies caused by glues in inhabitants of Montebelluna in the decade 1979-1988]. / Polineuropatia da collanti nel Montebellunese nel decennio 1979/88.

Sixty-seven incident cases of polyneuropathy (PNP) occurred among shoe workers exposed to solvents in the last ten years (1979-1988) in the Montebelluna area (Veneto region, northern Italy). They have been identified by the Occupational Health Service implementing a surveillance system. Around 700 shoe factories are active in this area with more than 6,000 workers. The disease has been diagnosed by means of neurological investigation and electroneuromyographical examination; it appears always as subclinical. The National Institute of Compensation (INAIL) confirmed the case series. In the present study data are discussed on the personal characteristics of the cases, including an evaluation of social and health consequences of the disease, and the work environment where PNP cases arose; attention is posed on the chemicals used, on jobs performed by the workers, and on duration of exposure. The study stresses the need to improve further the work conditions where solvents are used and to maintain a surveillance system for this occupational disease.

[A survey on the use of pesticides in the province of Treviso]. / Indagine conoscitiva sull'utilizzo di presidi sanitari nella provincia di Treviso.

The results of a study on a sample of 301 farms of the province of Treviso are here presented. The aim of our study was the evaluation of the quantity of pesticides, considered as active principle, spread over this territory in 1987. Our data stress that arboreal cultivations need the major quantity of fungicides, insecticides and acaricides while the use of herbicides and soil insecticides is almost exclusive to grassy cultures. The fungicides result the most widely used pesticides followed by herbicides and, to a less degree, the other products. In our case they are used nearly exclusively in vine growing. We underline that, although the consumption of pesticides fell within correct agronomic standards, this quantity could be considerably reduced by modern technology.