Composition of Metallic Elements and Size Distribution of Fine and Ultrafine Particles in a Steelmaking Factory.

The characteristics of aerosol, in particular particle size and chemical composition, can have an impact on human health. Particle size distribution and chemical composition is a necessary parameter in occupational exposure assessment conducted in order to understand possible health effects. The aim of this study was to characterize workplace airborne particulate matter in a metallurgical setting by synergistically using two different approaches; Methodology: Analysis of inhalable fraction concentrations through traditional sampling equipment and ultrafine particles (UFP) concentrations and size distribution was conducted by an Electric Low-Pressure Impactor (ELPI+™).

[Mortality of the personnel of an interforce military shooting range in Sardinia, Italy: 1990-2010].

Background: As several media reports suggested an increase in cancer mortality in the surrounding area, we investigated the mortality experience of the military personnel of the Interforce shooting range of Salto di Quirra (PISQ) in Sardinia, Italy.

Methods: Based on the PISQ registers, we reconstructed the cohort of 6,828 military personnel who had been employed at PISQ for at least six months on January 1, 1990 or entered subsequently up to June 30, 2005. We searched for life status or date, place, and cause of death of each cohort member up to December 31, 2010.

Analysis of potential influence factors on background urinary benzene concentration among a non-smoking, non-occupationally exposed general population sample.

Objectives: Analytical difficulties and lack of a biological exposure index and reference values have prevented using unmetabolized urinary benzene (UB) excretion as a biomarker of low-level environmental exposure. To explore what environmental factors beyond active smoking may contribute to environmental exposure to benzene, we monitored UB excretion in a non-smoking, non-occupationally exposed sample of the general population.

Methods: Two spot urine samples were obtained from 86 non-smoking, non-occupationally exposed subjects, selected among a random sample of the general population of the metropolitan area of Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy), at 8:00 a.

[Risk of major lymphoma subtypes and use of mobile phones].

Introduction: We explored the association between use of mobile phones and lymphoma risk in a case-control study.

Methods: We conducted unconditional logistic regression analysis in 322 lymphoma cases and 446 population controls, adjusting by age, gender and education.

Results: Risk of lymphoma (all types; OR = 1.

Biological monitoring of low-level exposure to benzene.

Introduction: Conflicting opinions exist about the reliability of biomarkers of low-level exposure to benzene. We compared the ability of the urinary excretion of trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA), s-phenilmercapturic acid (s-PAMA) and urinary benzene (U-Benz) to detect low level occupational and environmental exposure to benzene.

Methods: We monitored airborne benzene by personal air sampling, and U-Benz, s-PMAI, t,t-MA and cotinine (U-Cotinine) in spot urine samples, collected at 8 am and 8 pm, in 32 oil refinery workers and 65 subjects, randomly selected among the general population of urban and suburban Cagliari, Italy.

Environmental and lifestyle factors affect benzene uptake biomonitoring of residents near a petrochemical plant.

Background: We monitored urinary benzene excretion to examine factors affecting benzene uptake in a sample of the general population living near a petrochemical plant.

Methods: Our study population included 143 subjects: 33 petrochemical plant workers (W) with low level occupational benzene exposure; 30 residents in a small town 2 km from the plant (2kmR); 26 residents in a second small town located 2 to 4 km from the plant (4kmR); and 54 urban residents 25km from the plant (25kmR). Exposure to benzene was evaluated by personal air sampling during one work-shift for the W group, and from 8.

[Urinary benzene in biological monitoring of environmental exposure to low benzene concentrations].

Introduction: Conflicting opinions exist about urinary benzene (UB) as a reliable biomarker of exposure. Objective of our study is to evaluate the effect of low-level environmental exposure on UB levels.

Methods: We monitored UB excretion in 74 non-smoking non- occupationally exposed subjects; a questionnaire interview gathered information on relevant exposures during the day of monitoring.

Asbestos exposure and malignant lymphoma: a multicenter case-control study in Germany and Italy.

Aims: To analyze the relationship between asbestos exposure and malignant lymphoma in a multicenter case-control study conducted in Germany and Italy according to a common core protocol.

Methods: Male and female patients with malignant lymphoma (n = 1,034) between 18 and 80 years of age were prospectively recruited in six study areas in Germany (Ludwigshafen/Upper Palatinate, Heidelberg/Rhine-Neckar-County, Würzburg/Lower Frankonia, Hamburg, Bielefeld/East Westphalia, and Munich) and in two study areas in Sardinia, Italy (Cagliari and Nuoro provinces). A total of 1,173 population control subjects were drawn from population registers.

Causes of death among lead smelters in relation to the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase polymorphism.

Objective: To assess, by updating a follow-up mortality study of a lead smelters cohort in Sardinia, Italy, the adverse health effects following occupational lead exposure in relation to the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) polymorphism.

Method: The 1973-2003 mortality of 1017 male lead smelters were followed-up, divided into two subcohorts according to the G6PD phenotype: whether G6PD deficient (G6PD-) or wild-type (wtG6PD). Deaths observed in the overall cohort and the two subcohorts were compared with those expected, on the basis of the age-, sex- and calendar year-specific mortality in the general male population of the island.

Urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion in humans during domestic exposure to 50 hertz electromagnetic fields.

Objectives: Exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) has been suggested to suppress melatonin secretion, which might result in higher cancer risks because of its missing oncostatic action. We investigated the effects of residential exposure to ELF-EMF on the excretion of urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-OHMS), the major melatonin metabolite, as an indicator of nocturnal melatonin secretion.

Methods: 6-OHMS was measured in two spot urine samples, collected at 22.

Reproductive outcomes in DDT applicators.

Objectives: To explore reproductive outcomes in relation to occupational exposure to DDT.

Methods: We inquired into the reproductive history, including total number of children, sex distribution in the offspring, time-to-pregnancy, and number of spontaneous abortions and stillbirths, of the spouses of 105 men first exposed to DDT in a 1946-1950 anti-malarial campaign in Sardinia, Italy. The time-to-pregnancy in months at the first successful conception was estimated from population Registrars.

[Shift-work and cardiovascular diseases among chemical industry workers].

In order to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular abnormalities among shift workers, who were free from such abnormalities at the time of hiring, compared to day workers and ex-shift workers, we studied the QTc interval and several cardiovascular risk factors in 61 chemical workers, including 40 shift workers, 11 day workers, and 10 ex-shift workers. We found a high prevalence rate of ischemic heart disease and conduction abnormalities among ex-shift workers (5/10, 50%). We did not observe variations in the QTc interval among the three groups.

Dust exposure, respiratory symptoms, and longitudinal decline of lung function in young coal miners.

Objectives: To study the role of dust exposure on incidence of respiratory symptoms and decline of lung function in young coal miners.

Methods: The loss of lung function (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow (MEF), carbon monoxide transfer factor (TLCO)) with time and the incidence of respiratory symptoms in 909 Sardinian coal miners (followed up between 1983 and 1993 with seven separate surveys) has been compared with the past and current individual exposures to respirable mixed coal dust. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used simultaneously controlling for age, smoking, past occupational exposures, and other relevant covariates.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and cancer in a Sardinian male population: a case-control study.

A case-control study was conducted to test the hypothesis whether the genetic condition of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is associated with a reduced risk of cancer. One hundred and eighty seven male cancer patients admitted to hospitals in Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy), between November 1984 and March 1986, were compared with 186 male patients with other diseases, except hemolytic anemia, admitted to the same hospitals in the same period. In contrast to previous reports, our study found no reduction of cancer risk in G6PD-deficient subjects.

[Polychlorobiphenyl content in adipose tissue of subjects not exposed professionally].

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels were determined in 52 samples of adipose tissue removed during surgery from patients residing in a central region of Sardinia who had no previous occupational exposure. The average PCB value of the whole group was 0.72 microgram/g (range 0.

[Isoflurane pollution in operating rooms].

In three operating rooms of a Sardinian hospital, the Authors have measured the air levels of isoflurane using static samplers. Anaesthetic mean daily concentrations ranged from 3.5 to 41.