[Algorithms for the evaluation of chemical risk: the Piedmont Region's experience].

The programme InfoRisk, proposed by the Piedmont Region in 2002, has been an important reference point for the evaluation of chemical risk, both for companies and the regional prevention system alike. Nowadays, it is still considered necessary to take advantage of simple methods for the evaluation of this risk. However, the Piedmontese model requires some modification so as to keep it in line with the national and international rules and regulations governing the question and to find some solutions to problems that have arisen in its practical application.

Psychosocial environment and health: methodological variability of the salivary cortisol measurements.

Salivary cortisol offers a novel approach to understand the relationship between psychosocial environment and health. This study examines the intra-individual relationships among indicators of the cortisol circadian rhythm and investigates the influence of determinants affecting the day-to-day variability of the cortisol measures. Over three weekdays, 87 healthy subjects (63 females and 24 males) collected saliva samples at seven time points to assess the cortisol awakening response (CAR), and to evaluate the post morning cortisol profile.

Job strain, effort-reward imbalance and ambulatory blood pressure: results of a cross-sectional study in call handler operators.

Objectives: To examine the association between two job stress models-the job strain (JDC) and the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model-and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in call handler operators.

Methods: Participants included 74 women (age, 34.9 ± 9.

Associations between two job stress models and measures of salivary cortisol.

Purpose: To investigate the association between two job stress models-the job demand-control model and the effort-reward imbalance model-and repeated measures of salivary cortisol among male and female call-centre operators.

Methods: Daily cortisol profiles consisting of seven time points were measured across two workdays and one leisure day to determine the cortisol awakening response and the cortisol output in the day in 104 volunteers. The employees completed two self-administered questionnaire--the Karasek's demand-control questionnaire and the Siegrist's effort-reward imbalance questionnaire-to assess psychosocial hazards at work.

Salivary cortisol and psychosocial hazards at work.

Background: Experimental and clinical evidence suggest that stress can lead to ill-health through the disregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Studies to date have produced equivocal results likely due to different methodologies and failure to account for confounding factors. This investigation aimed to assess the relation between self-reported work-related stressors and salivary cortisol and to clarify the role of the potential confounders.

Risk assessment of occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by means of urinary1-hydroxypyrene.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have mutagenic and carcinogenic properties and some of them are classified as probable or possible human carcinogens. Aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic risk in workers exposed to diesel exaust. Environmental and biological monitoring exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was carried out on fifty-two workers exposed to diesel exhaust.

Relationship between self-reported mental stressors at the workplace and salivary cortisol.

Objective: To investigate the association between work stress measures and salivary cortisol excretion in working and weekend days.

Methods: In a sample of 68 healthy young call-centre operators dimensions of job stress from the demand-control model were related to repeated measures of salivary cortisol on seven samples (at awakening, +30 min, +60 min, + 3 h, +6 h, +9 h, and +12 h after awakening) at two working days and a weekend day.

Results: The cortisol excretion on work days was higher than during weekend day with gender-specific differences as women only showed higher significant values for area under the curve (AUC(G)) and Diurnal cycle (chi(2) (2) = 8.