Mechanical Power and Development of Ventilator-induced Lung Injury.

Background: The ventilator works mechanically on the lung parenchyma. The authors set out to obtain the proof of concept that ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) depends on the mechanical power applied to the lung.

Methods: Mechanical power was defined as the function of transpulmonary pressure, tidal volume (TV), and respiratory rate.

Lung inhomogeneities and time course of ventilator-induced mechanical injuries.

Background: During mechanical ventilation, stress and strain may be locally multiplied in an inhomogeneous lung. The authors investigated whether, in healthy lungs, during high pressure/volume ventilation, injury begins at the interface of naturally inhomogeneous structures as visceral pleura, bronchi, vessels, and alveoli. The authors wished also to characterize the nature of the lesions (collapse vs.

[Tobacco's smoke in the workplaces, webpages in the ISPESL's website].

The authors present the section, part of the ISPESL's website, dedicated to tobacco smoke at work. In this subdivision many topics regarding problems caused by tobacco smoke in the workplaces are gathered and discussed so that different personnel responsible for health and prevention at work can find a technical answer to take part to the improvement of the psychophysical welfare of both smokers and non smokers. The general information section has collected the relative Italian and international laws regarding smoking in the workplace along with representative court cases, and some publications and essays which have been presented on this topic.

The Italian information system on occupational exposure to carcinogens (SIREP): structure, contents and future perspectives.

Objectives: The Italian information system for recording occupational exposures to carcinogens (SIREP) was set up in 1996 as a result of the implementation of European directives concerning the improvement of workplace safety and health. The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics of this information system designed and developed for monitoring exposure risk at workplace. The main results about exposed workers in Italy are also presented.