[Adaptation of the TriTEST TM for the investigation of blood samples for a multicenter study taken to a single laboratory].

Background: Immunotoxicological studies in humans are usually carried out via the determination of some selected immune parameters in subjects occupationally and/or environmentally exposed to immunotoxic substance. One of the most often measured parameters is the determination of lymphocyte subsets, which needs to be carried out in a very short time (a few hours) after blood collection. This is the major problem limiting the determination of lymphocyte subpopulations in field studies, where samples are usually collected directly at the workplace, and very often at the end of the workshift.

Biological Monitoring of Pesticide Exposure: a review. Introduction.

Pesticides are used worldwide in agriculture, industry, public health and for domestic applications: as a consequence, a great part of the population may be exposed to these compounds. In spite of this extensive use, knowledge on the health risks associated with prolonged exposure is rather poor, and major uncertainties still exist. Epidemiological observations in man have so far produced little conclusive information, mainly because of weaknesses in exposure assessment.

Immune parameters in biological monitoring of pesticide exposure: current knowledge and perspectives.

Exposure to pesticides can cause a number of effects on the immune system, varying from a slight modulation of immune functions to the development of clinical immune diseases. The aim of this study has been reviewing published data on immune effects of pesticides in humans, with particular attention for effects observed in absence of any other change, and to the possibility of identifying a dose effect relationship. Some evidence of immunotoxic effects in man involve organophosphorus compounds, some organochlorine insecticides (OC), some carbamates, some phenoxy herbicides, dithiocarbamates, and pentachlorophenol (PCP).

Risk assessment and management of occupational exposure to pesticides.

Occupational exposure to pesticides in agriculture and public health applications may cause acute and long-term health effects. Prevention of adverse effects in the users requires actions to be undertaken in the pre-marketing and post-marketing phase of these products. The pre-marketing preventive actions are primary responsibility of industry and the public administration.

Risk assessment and health surveillance of pesticide workers.

Occupational health has two main objectives: the protection of workers from health hazards associated with the working environment, and the promotion of workers' health. Fundamental aspects of health protection are health risk management, information and training, first aid and medical treatment. Risk management comprises risk characterization, and exposure assessment.

[Immunotoxicology in occupational and environmental medicine: prospectives, limitations, and research objectives].

The immune system is able to recognize and neutralize potentially harmful agents, conferring to the organism resistance to infectious and malignant diseases. The authors have reviewed the literature and identified a group of substances able to enhance and/or reduce different immune functions, both in an experimental model and in occupational and environmental human exposure. The group includes several polyhalogenated hydrocarbons, particularly polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated biphenyls, tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), some metals like lead, cadmium and mercury, pesticides, i.

Impact of pesticides to groundwater resources in an alluvial plain using a geographical information system.

A methodology to evaluate the impact of pesticides to drinking water resources in an agricultural region has been applied in an Italian alluvial plain using a Geographical Information System (GIS). With this technology it is possible to store, process and represent geographical data and update them according to the environmental characteristics. The studied area, covering a surface of 500 km2, is located immediately south of Milan, in the alluvial plain of the Po river.

Programmes and activities of the International Centre for Pesticide Safety.

The International Centre for Pesticide Safety (ICPS) is a research unit of the National Health Service created by the Government of the Region of Lombardy at the proposal of the World Health Organization-Regional Office for Europe, in cooperation with the University of Milan, and in agreement with the Italian Ministry of Health. ICPS operates in the following areas of activity: information and documentation on pesticide toxicity to man and environment, epidemiological, toxicological and clinical research on effects of pesticides in man; training and education of personnel in public health, assessment of environmental and health impact of pesticides by means of Geographical Information Systems, laboratory research for development and standardisation of methods for residue measurement in environmental and biological media. ICPS is also a centre of international meetings and continuing education courses.

Health effects in man from long-term exposure to pesticides. A review of the 1975-1991 literature.

The scientific literature published over the period 1975-1991 on long-term health effects from prolonged exposure to pesticides has been reviewed, in order to document the state-of-knowledge on the mortality and morbidity of groups of the population exposed to pesticides. Specific aims of the review were to identify (1) which groups of the population have been more broadly surveyed, (2) which adverse effects have been consistently associated with specific pesticide exposures, (3) which are the pesticides of concern and (4) which health effects would require special attention in future research. The literature on acute effects and animal toxicology studies have not been considered at all in this monograph.

The International Centre for Pesticide Safety.

The International Centre for Pesticide Safety (ICPS) was inaugurated in March 1990. Coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and in collaboration with research and university institutions, the Centre operates in the following areas of activity: information and documentation on pesticide toxicity; epidemiological, toxicological and clinical research; training and education; laboratory research. ICPS is also a centre of meetings and courses on permanent education.