[Biological monitoring in workers exposed to inorganic arsenic in a disused industrial plant in the area of Manfredonia]. / Monitoraggio biologico dell'esposizione professionale ad As inorganico in lavoratori di un impianto industriale dismesso nell'area di Manfredonia.

Inorganic arsenic and its methylated metabolities were measured in 108 spot urine samples obtained from the medical surveillance programme of workers exposed to inorganic Arsenic in July 2006. 15% of the samples showed levels higher than limit value of 35 microg/L (mean value 23,9 microg/L). After the improvement of the working conditions, in August-October 2006, we collected a urinary sample from each of the 108 workers enrolled. A questionnaire was also administrated, in order to investigate the influence of occupational and non occupational factors on the urinary arsenic excretion. The median value of urinary arsenic was 15,12 microg/L; among the 108 samples, 5% showed levels higher than limit value. A significant difference was observed in relation with sea-food consumption and aging stratification. In conclusion, we have described a significant reduction of urinary arsenic excretion between the two phases of biological monitoring, likely due to a proper hygienic work-related intervention.

[Job strain and blood pressure levels in health care workers]. / Job strain e pressione arteriosa in operatori sanitari.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between job strain and blood pressure levels in a sample of X-ray technologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A structured questionnaire S was administered to the participants, investigating individual factors and job characteristics. Job strain status was measured by means of questions derived from the Italian version of the Karasek Job Content Questionnaire. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were then assessed during medical examination. RESULTS: No significant association was found between job strain and blood pressure levels. In addition, no association was found between high job demans, low decision latitude and blood pressure levels. CONCLUSIONS: In this study job strain was not associated with high blood pressure levels in X-ray technologists.

[Mortality among workers employed in the production of pulp and paper in Apulia]. / Studio di mortalità di lavoratori addetti alla produzione di cellulosa e carta in Puglia.

The authors studied a cohort of 2660 pulp and paper workers in Capitanata, Apulia (Italy). All workers with at least 1 year of employment on January 1 1965 or thereafter until march 30, 2000 where studied. Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) were used to compare the mortality rates of the cohort with those of Apulian population. Ninetyfive percent confidence intervals (CIs) for SMRs were obtained. Cancer risks significantly associated with work where observed: all causes for males (SMR 112.09, 95% CI 104.91-119.77), brain cancer for males (SMR 206.04, 95% CI 103.04-412.01), digestive tract for males (SMR 126.78, CI 100.63-159.73). Association with other malignancies are suggested in this study for Laryngeal and Kidney. These malignancies have been associated with different exposures in the production cycle: biocides (Kidney), Formaldehyde (Kidney, Brain). Unclear is the risk factor for the excess showed in digestive tract cancer.

[Exposure to PAHs, urinary 1-pyrenol and DNA adducts in samples from a population living at different distances from a steel plant]. / Esposizione a IPA, 1-idrossipirene urinario e addotti al DNA in campioni di popolazione residenti a diversa distanza da un polo siderurgico.

This study aims at measuring association between environmental exposure to PAHs and internal or biologically effective dose biomarkers among 212 individuals living at different distance from the industrial area of Taranto, Italy. Environmental PAH exposure was determined by area monitoring. PAH levels was measured by HPLC UV/FL. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels were measured by HPLC/Fluorescence. The levels of DNA adducts were determined by 32P. post-labelling. A questionnaire was administered to gather personal data, residence, occupational history, alcohol, tobacco smoke, and diet, to control for other sources of exposure to PAH. Blood and urinary samples, drawn from the subjects studied were collected and analysed. A multivariate regression model was used to investigate the influence of several confounding factors. Housing was placed within 1 km from smokestacks in Taranto and Statte, whereas they were more far away in Locorotondo and in Alberobello. The prevalence of current smokers was 31.6%.

[The experience of the Operative Unit SETIL in Puglia]. / L'esperienza dell'Unità Operativa SETIL in Puglia.

(Epidemiological study on childhood tumors and leukaemia) study is an epidemiological case-control study, conducted in 15 Italian regions, including Apulia, to assess the possible risk of childhood cancer (leukaemia, LNH, and Neuroblastomes) resulting from exposures to electromagnetic fields (EMFs).

[Semiautomatic defibrillators at the workplace health service]. / I defibrillatori semiautomatici nel servizio sanitario aziendale.

Implementation of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in workplace can help to revive victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the American Heart Association have all issued guidelines for medical management of AED programs. The School of Occupational Health-University of Bari--is currently involved in a programme to be developed with the regional 118 emergency team and the Health Department of Region Apulia aiming at establishing a well controlled use of AED in the workplace.