1,720,999 research outputs found
Ambiente e sistema immunitario.
No full textAbstract: A large number of xenobiotics (i. e. chemicals, drugs and biologicals) may adversely affect the immune system in consequence of different mechanisms: 1) the capacity of a large variety of xenobiotics to cause an allergic sensitization and different types of allergic sequelae (e.g. bronchial asthma, rhinitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, contact dermatitis); 2) the adjuvant effect, potentiating the IgE mediated immuno-response against ubiquitous allergens (e.g. pollens); 3) the direct or indirect action on the immune system, at doses that did not cause overt toxicity. This effect is studied by a new discipline, called Immunotoxicology; 4) the indirect action on the target organ, which facilitate the onset of respiratory symptoms in previously asymptomatic subjects. The widespread distributions of xenobiotics in the environment suggests that our current knowledge of their adverse health effects may represent only the tip of the iceberg and that exposure to such immunotoxic agents may play a greater role than heretofore suspected in disease causation. The exposure to immunotoxic agents in the workplace might represent and additional risk to HIV positive individuals
Otovestibular findings in workers affected by industrial poisons[Rilievi otovestibolari in operai intossicati da tossici industriali]
No full textAbstract
This research was undertaken to investigate vestibular function in a group of workmen exposed to inhalatory poisons affecting the central nervous system. It was thought useful to bring an instrumental objectivity to a complex subjective symptomatology such as vertigo, headache, asthenia and nausea. The examination of vestibular function was done with the Veits test. Acute sulfur dioxide poisoning provoked a reduction of reflexes in 70% of cases. Slow poisoning provoked an analogous syndrome in 42% of cases. Nystagmus duration remained within limits, though decreased. The report points out that this poison acts on a vestibular, nuclear and reticular level. Tetraethyl lead provoked a clear reduction of movements in 65% of cases and in rare cases a reduction of duration. It also acts on a vestibular and reticular level. Hydrocyanic acid determined a reduction either of movements or of nystagmus duration in 59% of cases. Thus, this poison acts most probably not only on vestibular, reticular and nuclear level but also on vestibular peripheral receptors. Carbon monoxide provoked in 60% of examined cases a reduction of movements without a parallel reduction of nystagmus duration. This poison also acts on a vestibular, nuclear and reticular level. In 33% of cases carbon monoxide determined a perceptive hypoacusis prevalent for middle and acute tones with an audiometric tonal descent curve of more or less marked degree. With carbon disulfide in 41% of cases a vestibular, nuclear and reticular level is affected. In 11% of cases a clear vestibular hyperreflex was found that was bound not to the action of the same poison but to cerebral vasculopathy secondary to the poison action. Toluene did not alter vestibular function significantly. Trichloroethylene provoked a clear increase of vestibular reflectivity in 40% of cases. Such poison action on the vestibular central system is due to interference with the central nervous system metabolites. Exposure to paints induced a polymorphic vestibular syndrome; i.e., in 20% of cases a vestibular hyporeflectivity was found, while in 36% a hyperreflectivity was found. It was thought that otofunctional tests carried out with the Veits technique can be of help in measuring instrumentally the complex subjective symptomatology that is present in workmen exposed to the action of industrial poisons, as it is simple and quick and it shows up early alterations in the central nervous system
The risk of occupational asthma[RISCHIO DI ASMA BRONCHIALE PROFESSIONALE]
No full textAbstract
The authors define the 'asthma risk' and its difference from 'allergy risk' based upon the present knowledge on bronchial asthma induction; later they discuss the pathogenic mechanism and the main causal factors of allergic and non-allergic bronchial asthma. Results of epidemiological studies are then presented. A case-control study shows the relative risk (RR) of bronchial asthma in different occupations; the RR is highest in furniture painting workers and in the wood industry. A cross-sectional study shows the prevalence of bronchial asthma in populations working in chemical, textile, mechanical engineering and wood industries
Le Broncopneumopatie professionali
No full textVengono analizzate le patologie dell'apparato respiratorio di origine professionale: Asma bronchiale, rinite, Alveoliti Allergiche Estrinseche, Polmone da metalli duri e le più comuni Pneumoconiosi: Silicosi, Asbestosi, Antracosilicosi ed altre fibrosi polmonari, nonchè i tumori professionali del polmone. Per ciascuna patologia viene ripeortata l'etiologia professionale con le relative esposizioni, la patogenesi, la clinica, la diagnostica e le indicazioni preventive
Prevalence and risk factors of chronic respiratory disease in a farming population
No full textSummary. An epidemiological survey on the prevalence of respiratory diseases was conducted in the province of Cremona (Italy). Methods: a population of 2.932 farmers (response rate 90.9%) was examined. As a control group was randomly selected a sample of 290 non-rural people who lived in the same area. A standardized questionnaire for the collection of respiratory symptoms and the analysis of the risk factors for the respiratory system was administered to both groups, together with chest x-ray and pulmonary function test (FVC and FEV1). After the initial screening, the study of CO diffusion capacity, allergic skin tests, using common allergens and serum precipitin test was performed. Results: the prevalence of chronic bronchitis was significantly higher among farmers than in the control group (9.9% vs 4.8%). The prevalence of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP=Farmer's lung) was 1.4%, no HP case was demonstrated in the control group. The prevalence of bronchial asthma did not differ between the two groups: 2.8 and 2.4% respectively, but FEV1 values were lower between farmers. The risk of chronic respiratory disease was high only in farmers working on small farms and stables with traditional housing
Comparison of various methods of evaluating auditory damage caused by chronic acoustic injury.[ Confronto di differenti metodiche di valutazione del danno uditivo da trauma acustico cronico]
No full textAbstract: The purpose of the present study was to compare the most common hearing damage criteria, based upon pure tone audiometric data. We examined 1086 workers with different intensity and duration of noise exposure. After consecutive selections, 455 subjects, subdivided into four exposure groups, were studied. The 12 considered criteria showed a widespread difference in their sensitivity: the percentage of hearing impaired subjects ranged from 3.3 to 24.2% in the whole population. The most sensitive criteria evaluated the hearing loss at 2 and 4 KHz. The evaluation of the hearing loss at 3 and 6 KHz did not modify the percentage of subjects bearing an handicap. The authors suggest the average hearing loss at 2 and 4 KHz as a criterion to be used for preventing and epidemiological purposes
Epidemiological study of pneumoconiosis in the italian poly(vynil chloride) industry
No full textAbstract: Among 1216 workers employed in a poly(vinyl chloride) production factory, 20 cases of pneumoconiosis were found. None of these workers had had previous exposure to organic or inorganic dusts; 731 had been exposed to PVC dust (employed in drying, sacking and blending of polymer) and 485 had been exposed to monomer alone. Chest x-ray films were read by two independent physicians utilizing the ILO/UC Pneumoconiosis Classification, 1971. X-ray abnormalities were characterized by limited profusion, irregular type and low gravidity; in a small percentage of cases these were associated with slight restrictive respiratory function impairments. All 20 workers with PVC-induced pneumoconiosis had been exposed to high PVC dust pollution for at least five years. Mild nonspecific alterations (profusion of 0/1 class) were found both in the group exposed to PVC dust and in the group exposed to VCM alone. Such changes (observed in 388 cases, 31.9% of the whole population), are related mainly to age and smoking habits, and the role of exposure is minor
Le allergopatie professionali
No full textIl capitolo tratta delle patologie professionali nella cui patogenesi intervengono meccanismi IgE mediati: l'asma bronchiele e la rinite professionale. Sono trattati gli aspetti eziologici, con particolare riguardo alla disamina degli agenti di rischio presenti esclusivamente o particolarmente concentrati negli ambienti di lavoro e i protocolli diagnostici, con particolare riguardo ai test di provocazione specifica o ai test di esposizione. Viene trattato separatamente la patologai da sensibilizzazione a latice naturale, in ragione di alcune peculiarità della stessa
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