Effect of occupational lead exposure on α- and γ-tocopherol concentration in plasma.

Objectives: Changes in enzymatic antioxidant activity are frequently observed in workers occupationally exposed to lead. Few studies have investigated the influence of lead on the non-enzymatic antioxidant system. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of occupational exposure to lead on the plasma concentration of two hydrophobic forms of vitamin E: α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol.

Environmental exposure to airborne asbestos fibres in a highly urbanized city.

Asbestos fibres, when released into the air, can pose serious health hazards to exposed people. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of respirable asbestos fibres in a highly urbanized and densely populated town, where asbestos-containing materials have been widely used in building constructions. Their presence and degree of corrosion were the main criterion for location of sampling stations.

[Estimation of optimal levels of tobacco biomarkers to distinguish active and passive smokers using ROC analysis].

Many epidemiological studies on health consequences of tobacco smoke exposure require classification of examined subjects either as active or passive smokers. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves are useful for organizing cut-off values of tobacco biomarkers and visualizing their performance. The cut-off values might be applied to distinguish cigarette smokers and persons involuntary exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke (SHS).

[Workers' exposure to selected biological agents in libraries of Upper Silesia].

The aim of this study was to assess the exposure of library workers to biological agents based on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of airborne and settled dust microflora supplemented with the analysis of dust mite allergens. The bioaerosol sampling was carried out using a 6-stage Andersen impactor. The settled dust samples were collected from book covers using cotton swabs and vacuum cleaner.