249 research outputs found
Nano-scaled particles and fibres occupational exposure assessment: An integrated approach from air sampling to skin and surface contamination
No full textWorkers may be exposed to nanoparticles (NPs) by inhalation, cutaneous contact and gastroenteric pathways, but today there is no standardized method for either assessing or monitoring the occupational exposure. Moreover, there is no all-in-one assessment strategy, so it is preferable to consider different perspectives. Every assessment should be preceded by a preliminary analysis of the workplace in order to gather useful data on the potential exposure sources, which will help in outlining the assessment strategy. The purpose of air monitoring should be to characterize NP emissions and assess, as a minimum, the mass, particle number concentration, granulometric distribution, specific surface and chemical composition. There are several techniques which may assess these characteristics: the most used in real occupational contexts are mobility particle sizers, particle counters (optical, condensation, etc.), surface area monitors, while personal samplers are promising tools which still have been used almost only in research or controlled contexts. Skin and surfaces may be sampled according to the nature of substances and the circumstances of exposure. Sampling methods can be divided in three main categories: interception (e.g. carbon tabs), removal (e.g. adhesive tape stripping, wiping), in situ methods (e.g. UV fluorescence). Chemical analysis methods (e.g. spectroscopy) and electron microscopy techniques may enhance available data. Considering the available information, we suggest a stepwise approach for risk assessment composed of three steps, starting from a quick and relatively cheap screening method to assess exposure, followed by 2 gradually more accurate but costly approaches to perform whether a significant exposure is detected
Video display operator complaints: A 10-year follow-up of visual fatigue and refractive disorders
No full textVisual fatigue and discomfort are very common complaints for video display operators (VDTs). The aim of our study was to study work-related visual symptoms in relation to refractive disorders and psychosocial factors in 3054 public employees by way of follow-ups for 10 years with periodic medical examinations with eye evaluation in the period 2000-2009. Factors related to visual fatigue were evaluated in the follow-up using generalized equation estimation. Visual fatigue was very common in VDT operators (64.03%). During the follow-up, no relationship between visual fatigue and age, sex, seniority of work, visual acuity and refractory disorders was found. Visual fatigue was significantly associated with anxiety perception in a dose-related matter (odds ratio (OR) 7.40, confidence interval (CI) 95% 1.77-31.3), psychosocial factors (OR 1.03, CI 95% 1.01-1.07), use of lenses (OR 1.34, CI 95% 1.09-1.64) and time of VDT usage (OR 1.27, CI 95% 1.04-1.53). This study confirmed that visual fatigue is common in VDT users and is related to anxiety perception, time of VDT usage, use of lenses and stress. No relationship was found between visual fatigue and refractory disorders or visual acuit
Green coffee been exposure and symptoms in dock workers in Trieste (Italy)
No full textBackground: Green coffee workers can develop allergic symptoms due to green coffee beans (GCB) or to castor bean (CB) that can contaminate sacks used for the transportation. Data are limited in literature and a previous study performed in Trieste demonstrated allergic symptoms in 14.3% of dockworkers handling GCB. Objectives: To evaluate symptoms and exposure to GCB ultrafine particles in Trieste dockworkers. Methods: Workers involved in GCB sacks transportation, storage and opening were asked to fill out a questionnaire on allergic respiratory symptoms. They performed a spirometry test and an evaluation of NO exhaled breath condensate. Inhalable and respirable dust exposures were evaluated by means of personal and environmental pumps. Ultrafine particles exposure was evaluated by means of portable particles counter DISCMini. Results: Between the 40 dockworkers exposed to GCB, 28 participated in the study (70%). Five (17.9%) reported personal allergy symptoms and two workers (7.1%) reported allergic oculorhinitis during work. One subject had symptoms only with Tanzania sacks and he resulted sensitized to CB. Workplace dust evaluation demonstrated values below Threshold Limit Values, but some work tasks were associated with exposure to more than 40,000 ultrafine particles with a geometric mean size of 37.2±1.35 nm. Conclusions: Prevalence of allergic symptoms in GCB workers was low but the presence of peaks of ultrafine particles exposure suggests the need to protect workers from exposure, limiting powder dispersion, avoiding the unloading of sacks inside the container and suggesting personal protective equipment regular use (FFP3)
Dermatite allergica professionale: il ruolo del medico competente nella prevenzione
No full textOccupational contact dermatitis are the second occupational diseases in industrialized countries and the preventive action and/or early diagnosis done by occupational physician (OP) is of paramount importance. OP in the process of risk evaluation must suggest products, detergents and personal protective equipment with low irritant or sensitization potential. During work, the use of skin creams has to be promoted to prevent irritation that is the first step towards impairment of the skin barrier and sensitization. During periodical medical surveillance OP can control skin conditions of workers looking for signs of irritant and contact dermatitis, can give advice about preventive measures and information about products used to permit an early and correct diagnosis. At the retour to work workers with a diagnosis of occupational dermatitis must avoid direct contact with irritant and sensitizing products
Nickel, chromium and cobalt sensitization in a patch test population in north-eastern Italy (1996-2010)
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Benessere lavorativo e salute: indagine con work ability index (WAI) su un campione di infermieri in una struttura ospedaliera del Nord-Est.
No full textBackground: Job satisfaction and work ability are important in the nursing profession to ensure good working conditions and to reduce work-related diseases and illness. Psychosocial factors such as social support and decision latitude (autonomy) could have a role in cardiovascular diseases, low back pain, injuries and sick leave. Aim: To evaluate work ability, job satisfaction, psychosocial factors and diseases in 10 departments of the Monfalcone Hospital. Material and methods: The Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire and Karasek Job Content Questionnaire with other questions related to working conditions and diseases were administered to 160 nurses working in 10 departments. The response rate was 90%. SPSS Statistic packaging was used for statistical analysis. Results: The study population had a mean age of 41.1±7 years and the majority were female (81.25%).WAI gave a rating of over 37 points (good and excellent) for 86.4%, with an average of 39.9±5.9 in women and 40.6±6.4 in men. The WAI differences between the departments were significant with Medicine and Surgery showing lower values (p=0.012). WAI was significantly lower in subjects with sick leave higher than 10 days per year (p=0.000) and in subjects with cardiovascular diseases (p=0.031). Conclusion: Our study showed very good working conditions for nurses. A follow-up of the analyzed population over time will add further information on this aspect
Effectiveness of a Skin Care Program With a Cream Containing Ceramide C and a Personalized Training for Secondary Prevention of Hand Contact Dermatitis
No full textBackground/Objectives: The aim of our study was to investigate the effectiveness of personalized training on skin protection associated with the regular use of ceramide-containing cream (CC) versus other creams (OC) for improving hand contact dermatitis. Methods: We performed a double-center randomized trial that enrolled workers with hand dermatitis. All workers received personalized training. The intervention was 3 times per day application of the study emollient. The control arm used an emollient of choice without ceramide, as needed. The primary outcome was improvement in hand dermatitis at 1 and 3 months of follow-up. Results: In total, 102 patients with hand dermatitis were enrolled in this study. Improvement in dermatitis was found in 40%, 52.5%, 50%, and 63% of OC and CC, at the first and second follow-ups, respectively. The use of CC was significantly associated with an improvement in dermatitis (odds ratios 2.6; 95% confidence intervals 1.30-5.2), analyzed using generalized equation estimation during the follow-up. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that an educational personalized intervention could improve the signs and symptoms in patients with hand dermatitis, and the use of a CC resulted in a significantly better outcome during the 3 months of follow-up
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