1,721,252 research outputs found
Carmine Melino and the occupational medicine
No full textThis short article, which describes the significant contribution Prof. Carmine Melino made to Occupational Medicine, underlines the Professor's great interest in this field and his outstanding ability in combining the lessons of the past with the most innovative aspects of this discipline
Responsible Development of Emerging Technologies: Extensions and Lessons from Nanotechnology for Worker Protection
No full textObjectives This paper identifies approaches to the responsible development of emerging technologies to secure worker safety and health. Methods A retrospective analysis was used to describe the history of the responsible development of worker protection from engineered nanomaterials. Lessons from that history were extended and applied to emerging technologies and illustrated in three examples: advanced manufacturing, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence. Results The same principles used to underpin responsible development of nanotechnology can be applied to emerging technologies. Five criterion actions were identified that embody these principles. Conclusion Responsible development of emerging technologies requires anticipating hazards and risks and ethical issues attendant to them. Occupational and environment health specialists are often called upon to provide guidance on emerging technologies and the approach described here can serve as a basis for that guidance
Biomedical nanotechnology: Occupational views
No full textNanotechnology is expected to transform biomedical sectors providing more sensitive and specific imaging techniques, nano-devices and nano-robotics for early detection of biochemical changes, targeted and less toxic drug treatments, as well as enhanced supports for regenerative medicine. Although beneficial, some concerns have emerged on the possible adverse impact that nano-enabled applications may have on human health, particularly on workers exposed throughout the product life cycle, due to the still unpredictable toxicological behavior of nano-sized materials. Therefore, for biomedical nano-technological applications to be considered for a “responsible benchtop to the bedside” translation, occupational health implications should be carefully addressed
The reference values in the interpretation of toxicological data
No full textThe worldwide gradual expansion of industrialization has led to a dramatic increase in the production and use of chemical substances. This has resulted in a greater dispersion of these elements in the environment and in an increased exposure of the general population and workers. In this scenario, a thorough knowledge of exposure levels is needed in order to assess chemical risks in environmental and occupational settings. Biological monitoring is among the most useful tools for assessing exposure. However, in order to provide really effective guidance in the application/imple-mentation of risk management measures, biomonitoring results need to be compared with appropriate references. Reference values (RVs) are an excellent resource since useful information for a correct interpretation of toxicological data can be obtained by comparing them with biomonitoring results. In the field of public health, this may enable us to identify potential sources of exposure, define the principal and most frequently exploited routes of exposure, and outline chemical absorption. Similarly, in occupational medicine, RVs can be used to give meaning to biomonitoring findings, especially when a biological limit value is not available for the chemical in question. Furthermore, these values are a valid tool for assessing exposure to chemical carcinogens. Therefore, by integrating reference values in an appropriate and complete system of guide values that also includes action levels and biological limit values, we could obtain both an adequate assessment of exposure and a better understanding of toxicological data
Rhodium
No full textRhodium (Rh), a rare metal belonging to the platinum group elements, occurs naturally at low concentrations in the Earth's crust. It is widely used in the glass, chemical, and electronic industries, but its principal application is as an active catalyst material in automobile converters. However, while these devices have improved general air quality, they have also become a primary anthropogenic source of Rh in the environment. Several studies have demonstrated that Rh is emitted in small quantities as a result of chemical, physical, and thermal stresses on the converters due to mechanical abrasion and high temperatures. Rh contamination, which begins in airborne particulate matter, roadside dust, soil, sludge, and water, subsequently leads through diverse pathways to the bioaccumulation of this element in living organisms. In exposed subjects, Rh salts have been associated with immunological disorders such as asthma and contact dermatitis.The limited data regarding Rh toxicity and its effects, the general belief that environmental Rh levels are too low to pose a serious threat to human health, and the idea that Rh is only released in its metallic, relatively inert form in biological reactions have prevented an adequate assessment of the risks related to the environmental exposure to this metal. Recently, however, reported increases in environmental levels and more information on Rh concentrations in the finest fractions of particulate matter have stimulated considerable interest and debate concerning the potential impact of this metal on human health. Moreover, the findings of a number of innovative studies that demonstrated the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of Rh on cellular systems and the induction of immunological alterations in animal models have provided the impetus for further investigation into the effects of Rh on human health and for a reassessment of the risk derived from exposure to the metal
Iridium
No full textIridium (Ir) belongs to the platinum group elements and is one of the rarest metals in the Earth's crust. Due to its good resistance to corrosion, Ir is widely used in the electronic, chemical, and automotive industries. In this latter sector, Ir is present as an impurity or in platinum, palladium, and rhodium alloys in automobile catalytic converters. These devices are subjected to physical and chemical stress that leads to Ir release in airborne particulate matter, therefore, increasing its levels in the general environment. Available data on Ir concentrations in air, soil, roadside dust, water, and foods indicate quite low levels. However, the increase in the exposure levels and the widespread industrial use of this metal raised scientific concerns regarding potential adverse health effects for the general and occupationally exposed populations. Limited knowledge on the toxicological mechanisms of Ir in different physical and biological systems hinders the evaluation of the risks and conclusions on the potential adverse effects of low-"dose", long-term exposures. Recently, the in vitro cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of Ir, mediated by oxidative stress reactions and the induction of direct DNA damage, was demonstrated in rat fibroblasts. Interestingly, in vivo results showed that oral Ir exposure in rats induced nephrotoxic effects and an immunological imbalance with a skew toward a T helper 2 cytokine pattern. Hypersensitivity and allergic reactions were described in occupationally and nonoccupationally exposed subjects with symptoms including rhinorrhea, asthma, contact dermatitis, and urticaria, indicating the sensitizing potential of Ir, albeit at a relatively low level. Overall, further research is needed to define Ir potentially hazardous properties and their principal toxicological mechanisms so that an appropriate evaluation and management of Ir risk can be made with regard to the general and occupationally exposed populations
[Health effects of engineered nanomaterials]
No full textNanotechnology--the manipulation of matter on a near-atomic scale to produce new structures, materials and devices--offers the promise of unprecedented scientific advancement for sectors, such as medicine, consumer products, energy, and materials. Nanotechnology has the power not only to improve existing technologies, but to dramatically enhance the effectiveness of new applications. While nanomaterials present seemingly limitless possibilities, they bring with them new challenges to understanding, predicting, and managing potential safety and health risk to workers. On the basis of available knowledge on ultrafine particles (non-engineered nanoparticles) and on preliminary data on engineered nanoparticles, it may be postulated a potential health risk by these materials. A precautionary approach in occupational setting is therefore needed
The impact of shift-work and night shift-work on thyroid: A systematic review
No full textThyroid hormones are regulated by the pituitary thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), whose secretion presents a circadian rhythmicity. Indeed, it is conceivable that shift- and night shiftwork, affecting sleep-wake rhythms, may impact thyroid functionality. Therefore, the aim of the present review was to provide an overview on the association between shift- and night shift-work and thyroid hormonal changes and disease development. A systematic review of studies available in PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science databases was performed. A positive association between night shift-work and increased TSH concentrations was reported by most of the reviewed investigations. Inconclusive evidence was available on thyroid diseases. However, the limited number of studies, the noticeable heterogeneity in the shift-work scheduling, in terms of amount, duration, type of shift- or night shift-work, prevents easily integrating findings and extrapolating definite conclusions. Further investigation seems necessary to better define the relationship between shift schedules and different thyroid outcomes, and possible long-term implications of early functional changes. Overall, this may support the adoption of advanced risk assessment and management strategies aimed to achieve a safer workplace organization and a timely, responsible realization of all the benefits of a 24-h economy
Ecological risks in a ‘plastic’ world: A threat to biological diversity?
No full textMicroplastics pollution is predicted to increase in the coming decades, raising concerns about its effects on living organisms. Although the effects of microplastics on individual organisms have been extensively studied, the effects on communities, biological diversity, and ecosystems remain underexplored. This paper reviews the published literature concerning how microplastics affect communities, biological diversity, and ecosystem processes. Microplastics increase the abundance of some taxa but decrease the abundance of some other taxa, indicating trade-offs among taxa and altered microbial community composition in both the natural environment and animals’ gut. The alteration of community composition by microplastics is highly conserved across taxonomic ranks, while the alpha diversity of microbiota is often reduced or increased, depending on the microplastics dose and environmental conditions, suggesting potential threats to biodiversity. Biogeochemical cycles, greenhouse gas fluxes, and atmospheric chemistry, can also be altered by microplastics pollution. These findings suggest that microplastics may impact the U.N. Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) to improve atmospheric, soil, and water quality and sustaining biodiversity
Susceptibility to coronavirus (COVID-19) in occupational settings: The complex interplay between individual and workplace factors
Full text linkIn the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the definition of risk factors for susceptibility to adverse outcomes seems essential to support public and occupational health policies. Some specific issues need to be addressed to understand vulnerability in occupational settings. Among these, individual factors, e.g., age, sex, and preexisting comorbidities (hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, cancer), that can predispose individuals to more severe outcomes and post- COVID-19 symptoms that may represent conditions of acquired susceptibility, possibly impacting the return to-and fitness for-work. Additionally, the risk of contracting COVID-19 through work should be addressed, considering the probability of being in contact with infected people, physical proximity to others, and social aggregation during work. Occupational health settings may represent appropriate scenarios for the early identification of vulnerable subjects, with the final aim to guide risk assessment and management procedures. These should include the systematic surveillance of work-related risk factors, collective preventive policies, stringent actions for specific groups of workers, decisions on occupational placement of employees, and health promotion activities. Concerted actions of general practitioners, hospital specialists, occupational physicians, and all the stakeholders involved in the occupational health and safety management should be focused on planning suitable preventive measures for susceptible subjects
- …
