1,721,047 research outputs found
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
Nano-scaled particles and fibres occupational exposure assessment: An integrated approach from air sampling to skin and surface contamination
Full text linkWorkers 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
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
UV exposure, preventive habits, risk perception, and occupation in NMSC patients: A case-control study in Trieste (NE Italy)
No full textBACKGROUND:
UV exposure is strongly associated with the incidence of non melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), both basal and squamous cell carcinomas. The aim of our study was to analyze risk perception, UV exposure, preventive habits, and occupation in 126 subjects affected by NMSC and 187 controls.
METHODS:
Consecutive cases with incident NMSC were recruited in Dermatologic Unit at University of Trieste; controls were recruited in Unit of Occupational Medicine. All had a medical examination to define Fitzpatrick skin type and skin lesions, and filled a standardized questionnaire on sun exposure habits, sun protection, occupational exposures, and sunburns in adulthood and childhood.
RESULTS:
In multivariate regression analysis, NMSC resulted significantly associated with age (OR: 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.05), with a positive feeling for tan (OR: 1.10; 95% CI 1.01-1.20), and sunbath numbers per year (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.001-1.03). A protective effect was demonstrated for Fitzpatrick phototypes III-IV compared to I and II (OR: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.18-0.55), sunscreen use (OR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.22-0.58), and risk perception (OR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97-0.99). In univariate analysis, we demonstrated an increased risk for fishermen, sailors, and lifeguards (OR: 4.3; 95% CI: 1.1-16.4); foundry and metallurgy workers (OR: 5.58; 95% CI: 1.14-27.3); and mechanics, fixers, and welders (OR: 8.2; 95% CI: 1.76-37.9).
CONCLUSIONS:
Our study demonstrated that protective behavior must be implemented in people living in Trieste. Workers must avoid direct UV exposure and must use protective equipment. More efforts are needed to increase knowledge on this risk and to raise awareness among at-risk people
Green coffee been exposure and symptoms in dock workers in Trieste (Italy)
Full text linkBackground: 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)
Skin decontamination procedures against potential hazards substances exposure
No full textDecontamination of unprotected skin areas is crucial to prevent excessive penetration of chemical contaminants after criminal or accidental release. A review of literature studies was performed to identify the available decontamination methods adopted to treat skin contamination after chemical, radiological and metal exposures. In this bibliographic review, an overview of the old and recent works on decontamination procedures followed in case of potential hazards substances contaminations with a comparison between these systems are provided. Almost all data from our 95 selected studies conducted in vitro and in vivo revealed that a rapid skin decontamination process is the most efficient way to reduce the risk of intoxication. The commonly-used or recommended conventional procedures are simple rinsing with water only or soapy water. However, this approach has some limitations because an easy removal by flushing may not be sufficient to decontaminate all chemical deposited on the skin, and skin absorption can be enhanced by the wash-in effect. Other liquid solutions or systems as adsorbent powders, mobilizing agents, chelation therapy are also applied as decontaminants, but till nowadays does not exist a decontamination method which can be adopted in all situations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop more efficient and successful decontaminating formulations
Video display operator complaints: A 10-year follow-up of visual fatigue and refractive disorders
Full text linkVisual 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
Risk of Vaccine Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Associated Factors in Healthcare Workers of Trieste Teaching Hospitals (North-Eastern Italy)
Full text linkBackground: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are particularly exposed to biological risk, including SARS-CoV-2 infection. In order to contrast the current pandemic and alleviate the burden of the disease on the healthcare system, a mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 has been launched worldwide. Aim To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 vaccination in HCWs exposed to SARS-CoV-2, to describe the clinical presentation of COVID-19 in infected HCWs, and to investigate clinical and occupational risk factors for breakthrough infection. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: The cohort of HCWs of Trieste Hospitals were followed up from 1 March 2020, to 30 November 2021 (21 months). All HCWs were periodically screened for SARS-CoV-2 infection by real-time PCR (RT–PCR) analysis. Clinical data were obtained through routine medical surveillance records. Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection were investigated by univariable as well as multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 4394 HCWs routinely screened for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR on nasopharyngeal swab, a total of 800 incident cases were identified during the entire study period (1 March 2020 to 30 November 2021). Five hundred and sixty-four cases occurred before, and 236 after the start of the vaccination campaign against COVID-19, of whom 155 received a complete vaccination scheme before SARS-CoV-2 infection. Breakthrough infection was featured by mild or no symptoms and was significantly associated with the male sex, BMI > 25, and diabetes mellitus. Some categories of HCWs (physicians and nurse aids/auxiliary personnel) were at a higher risk of breakthrough infection. Conclusions: Fully vaccinated HCWs were less likely to acquire symptomatic as well as asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection after a full COVID-19 vaccination scheme included the male gender, diabetes mellitus, and overweight. HCWs with higher exposure to COVID-19 patients were at higher risk of breakthrough infection
Characteristics and incidence of contact dermatitis among hairdressers in north-eastern Italy
Full text linkBackground: Hairdressers are at high risk of contact dermatitis (CD) due to skin exposure to numerous irritants and haptens in hair products in combination with frequent wet work. Objectives: To investigate the characteristics and incidence of CD among hairdressers in north-eastern Italy. Methods: A total of 324 hairdressers who had been examined and patch tested in north-eastern Italy from 1996 to 2016 were retrospectively identified, and compared with 9669 matched controls. Sensitization to allergens of the hairdressing series was analysed among hairdressers attending an occupational medicine clinic in Trieste, Italy. Incidence data were calculated from 1999 to 2016. Results: Sensitization to p-phenylenediamine, thiuram mix, and N-isopropyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine was significantly associated with hairdressing and with hand/forearms dermatitis. Frequent sensitizers from hairdressing series were ammonium persulfate, toluene-2,5-diamine, and p-aminobenzene. The overall incidence of CD declined from 2003 (31.7 cases/10 000 workers) to 2016 (20.8 cases/10 000 workers). Conclusions: Sensitization to several haptens was significantly associated with hairdressing. The incidence of CD among hairdressers in north-eastern Italy has declined in recent years, but is still high. Preventive efforts are needed to reduce the burden of CD in this professional group
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