Exposure to carcinogens and mortality in a cohort of restoration workers of water-damaged library materials following the River Arno flooding in Florence, 4 November 1966.

Background: In Florence, Italy, the Arno River overflowed on 4 November 1966 and the rare library collections of the National Central Library in Florence (FNCL) were flooded. A Restoration Centre was immediately set up. For book restoration many toxic chemicals were used, such as chlorinated solvents, ethylene oxide (EtO), formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, and pesticides.

[Cohort study of mortality among leather tanners in the Lower Valdarno area].

Background: Epidemiological studies of tanners have shown increased risk for a number of cancer sites, namely: lung, bladder, kidney and urinary organs as well as stomach, intestine, pancreas, nose and nasal cavities, together with leukemias and soft tissue sarcomas.

Objective: To study cause specific mortality of leather tanners in Tuscany (Valdarno Inferiore area).

Methods: The cohort included 4874 workers (4150 males and 724 females) employed in 92 tanneries operating in 1996 (Valdarno Inferiore Tanneries Census) which were also operating on 31-12-1970.

[Identification and mortality of Italian emigrants returning to Italy after having worked in the crocidolite mines at Wittenoon Gorge, Western Australia].

The crocidolite mine at Wittenoom Gorge, Western Australia, has been active from 1943 to 1966, and managed by Australian Blue Asbestos Ltd (ABA). Migrants constituted the large majority of workers. The list of workers is composed of 6,911 subjects (6,501 males).

Colorectal, lung, and breast cancer care during the three years following the diagnosis: a population-based study.

Aims: We evaluated a number of basic parameters of care during hospitalization that contribute to the total cost of therapy during the 3 years after the first diagnosis of cancer.

Methods: The study examined a sample of cases of cancer of the colon-rectum (164 cases), lung (160 cases) and breast (144 cases) diagnosed in 1987, taken from the data base of the Tuscany Cancer Registry. All the information collected by the Registry was examined and the sample was further validated by reviewing original clinical records.

[Chromatid exchanges: a chromosomal index of environmental mutagenicity].

The induction of exchanges between related chromatids (SCEs) was studied to discover exposure to genotoxic agents. The frequencies of SCEs were recorded in a group of workers exposed to azoic dyes and in a control group. The chromatid exchange test was proved to be a sensitive indicator of chemical mutagenic action.