The economic burden of musculoskeletal disorders on the Italian social security pension system estimated by a Monte Carlo simulation.

The aim of the study is to estimate the pension costs incurred for patients with musculoskeletal disorders (MDs) and specifically with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Italy between 2009 and 2012. We analyzed the database of the Italian National Social Security Institute (Istituto Nazionale Previdenza Sociale i.e.

Guidelines for asbestos remediation at Italian superfund sites.

Asbestos is now banned in 52 countries. Although Italy banned asbestos in 1992, up until that date it had been one of the main producer nations of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, and asbestos-related contamination is still widespread in the country. To reduce asbestos-related health effects, Italy has adopted many laws and regulations regarding exposure thresholds and remediation tools.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes induce cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in human lung epithelial cells.

The increasing use of nanomaterials in consumer products highlights the importance of understanding their potential toxic effects. We evaluated cytotoxic and genotoxic/oxidative effects induced by commercial multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on human lung epithelial (A549) cells treated with 5, 10, 40 and 100 µg ml⁻¹ for different exposure times. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays were performed to evaluate cytotoxicity.

Multiparametric approach for an exemplary study of laser printer emissions.

The aim of this work was the study, by a multiparametric approach, of emissions from a laser printer in an experimental box-chamber, with particular attention to nanoparticles release. The experimental design included number concentration measurements by Fast Mobility Particle Sizer (FMPS) and chemical characterizations (elements) of size segregated samples collected by Nanomoudi cascade impactor. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were also sampled by charcoal sorbent tubes by personal sampling pumps.

Risk assessment of aggression toward emergency health care workers.

Background: Health care and social service workers face a significant risk of job-related violence.

Aims: To develop a method for quantitative evaluation of the risk of violence, as required by Italian and European regulations, against extra-hospital emergency health care workers employed by the Regional Emergency Healthcare Service (ARES 118) in the Lazio Region in Italy.

Methods: Violence to the ARES 118 workers during working hours was examined by analysing injuries reported by them between 2005 and 2007.

Aspergillus affinis sp. nov., a novel ochratoxin A-producing Aspergillus species (section Circumdati) isolated from decomposing leaves.

Two ochratoxin A (OTA)-producing Aspergillus isolates, recently collected from submerged riparian decomposing leaves in Italy, were found to have a similar morphology to Aspergillus cretensis (subgenus Circumdati, section Circumdati). However, marked differences emerged between these two novel isolates and A. cretensis as the former displayed different colony features and had larger vesicles, metulae, phialides and conidia, as well as a distinct sclerotial form and size.

[The Italian Society of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene: one hundred years of history].

This research project, in conjunction with the SIMLII foundation's 80th anniversary, is aimed to reconstruct the historical chronology of the institutional life of the Society: the Directive bodies, the by-laws, the main steps of the scientific activity, especially the Congresses of Occupational Health. The research will also analyze the most important elements of historical context explaining Society's evolution: the relationships between SIMLII and political-institutional and legislative framework, social and economic changes, medical science's evolution and the university teaching and research, and finally the interactions with the international context. The research covers the years since the first national meeting of Occupation Health, in 1907, in which scientific activity was particularly intense, although the foundation was officially only in 1929.

Reference ranges of urinary biomarkers of oxidized guanine in (2'-deoxy)ribonucleotides and nucleic acids.

This study was aimed at defining the reference ranges for biomarkers of oxidized guanine in (2'-deoxy)ribonucleotides and nucleic acids from a large Italian sample. We recruited 300 healthy subjects (150 males; mean age 44.1±13.

Occupational health and safety policy and psychosocial risks in Europe: the role of stakeholders' perceptions.

Introduction: Psychosocial risks are now largely acknowledged throughout Europe as important challenges in occupational health and safety. However, there appear to be wide gaps in perception between experts and the general population on the nature and the relevance of psychosocial risks that have a potential impact on policy development and implementation in this area.

Methods: This study investigated the level of knowledge among European stakeholders, of legislation on occupational safety and health, focusing particularly on psychosocial risk factors.

Incidence of extrapleural malignant mesothelioma and asbestos exposure, from the Italian national register.

Objectives: The epidemiology of extrapleural malignant mesothelioma is rarely discussed and the risk of misdiagnosis and the very low incidence complicate the picture. This study presents data on extrapleural malignant mesothelioma from the Italian National Mesothelioma Register (ReNaM).

Methods: ReNaM works on a regional basis, searching for cases and interviewing subjects to investigate asbestos exposure.

Development and validation of method for analysis of some ototoxic solvents in saliva matrix by headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

The aim of this study was to develop an analytical method to monitor the saliva matrix for ototoxic solvents absorption: the method is based on headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and represents an alternative biological monitoring for investigating low exposure to hazardous ototoxic solvents. Simultaneous determination of toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes and styrene has been carried out and the method has been optimized for both instrumental parameters and samples treatment. Chromatographic conditions have been set in order to obtain a good separation of xylene isomers due to the interest in p-xylene as ototoxic one.

Biological risk at work in Italy: results from theNational Register of Occupational Exposures.

The aim of this study is to analyze the information on workers and exposures to biological agents in Italy, collected by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Prevention in the period 1994-2008 on the basis of a regulation. Employers are asked to identify the biological agents and to report data on employees exposed to biological hazards. Biological agents included in the system belong to risk group 3 and 4 of the European Union classification, and are grouped by family and transmission type.

Italian National Register of Occupational Cancers: data system and findings.

Objective: To analyze data stored in the National Register of Occupational Cancers, set up by law at the Italian Institute for Occupational Safety and Prevention.

Methods: Statistical analyses were performed on economic activity, cancer site, and carcinogenic agent. Mesothelioma cases were excluded because they were exhaustively recorded and managed in a proper register.

A pilot study on natural radioactivity in schools of south-east Italy.

In the period 2005-2006 a survey on natural radioactivity in about 500 schools located in south-east Italy (the Salento peninsula, province of Lecce) was carried out. In particular average radon concentration and average absorbed dose rate in air due to gamma radiation have been assessed by using solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD) and electret ionization chambers (EIC), as well as thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD), respectively. SSNTD dosimeters were placed in every school, while electrets and TLD have been employed in a pilot study performed in a selected sample of 56 schools in order to achieve preliminary information.

Exposed workers and bladder cancer in Italy: an estimate starting from the ISPESL's database of enterprises.

The aim of this study is to assess the number of workers potentially at risk of bladder cancer in Italy. A detailed list of codes of economic activities entailing bladder cancer risk was developed on the basis of the excess risk resulting from two different pooled analysis (separately for men and women) in Europe. Firms and the number of blue-collars potentially at risk were selected from the ISPESL (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Prevention) database of enterprises.

An exploratory case-control study on spinal and bulbar forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the province of Rome.

Several environmental and life-style factors reported as possibly associated with ALS have been analysed in the present study, focusing on the two clinical onsets of ALS. A case-control study (77 cases and 185 controls) has been performed in the province of Rome in the period 2005-2006. Increased risks were observed in bulbar cases for former smokers (OR: 4.

Direct-oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis induction in different human respiratory cells exposed to low concentrations of sodium chromate.

The mechanism of Cr(VI) genotoxicity has still not been elucidated. We used Fpg-modified comet assay to assess direct-oxidative DNA damage on human lung (A549) and bronchial (BEAS-2B) cells exposed to 0.1, 0.

Occupational cancer in Italy: evaluating the extent of compensated cases in the period 1994-2006.

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze occupational cancer claims compensated in the industrial sector in Italy between 1994 and 2006.

Methods: A descriptive analysis of compensated occupational cancers based on the Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL) data was performed. Summary statistics were compiled by sex and age of worker, cancer type, workplace agent and economic sector.

Occupational safety and health's role in sustainable, responsible nanotechnology: gaps and needs.

The newly fledged nanotechnologies offer opportunities for social development, but uncertainties prevail about their impact on human and environmental health. There is still a huge gap between technological progress and research into the health and safety aspects of nanomaterials. This is clear from the quantity of nanoproducts already on the market--more than 600--and the public and private funds dedicated to the development of nanotechnologies, which are almost a hundred times those available for research into their effects on health and safety.

Risk assessment model of occupational exposure to nanomaterials.

Recent development of nanotechnology allows precise assessment of the risks workers are exposed to. To assess the risks, a specific risk assessment model has been developed with reference to workplaces where nanoparticles are present. This model allows identification and quantification of the health hazards for workers.

Evaluation of a suitable DNA damage biomarker for human biomonitoring of exposed workers.

The objective of this study was to identify a sensitive and noninvasive biomarker of early genotoxic effects, for health risk assessment of workers exposed to mixtures of low doses of xenobiotics. We studied 30 workers exposed to antineoplastic drugs, 57 workers exposed to different mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (41 airport workers and 16 paving workers) and 76 controls. Comet and micronucleus (MN) tests were performed on lymphocytes and exfoliated buccal cells.

Evaluation of cytotoxic concentration-time response in A549 cells exposed to respirable alpha-quartz.

A causal pathway between quartz, silicosis and lung cancer has been postulated. The aim of our study was to assess cytotoxic effects induced in a human lung epithelial cell line (A549) by exposure to alpha-quartz. Cells were exposed to respirable alpha-quartz (SRM1878a, NIST) at 25, 50 or 100 microg ml(-1 )for 24 h and at 50 or 100 microg ml(-1) for 48 h.

Evaluation of DNA damage induction on human pulmonary cells exposed to PAHs from organic extract of PM10 collected in a coke-oven plant.

Occupational exposure of coke oven workers, classified by IARC as human carcinogen, is characterized by the presence of PAHs emitted during pyrolysis of coal. We aimed to clarify the mechanism of action of complex mixtures of PAHs and to identify biomarkers of early biological effect, evaluating on lung epithelial cells (A549) genotoxic and oxidative damage of airborne particulate matter collected in a coke plant. Particulate matter was collected in the oven area on glass filter, extract and analysed by GC/MS.

Occupational exposure and lung cancer in Italy: estimating the number of workers potentially at risk.

Background: In 2001, a comprehensive and standardised list for occupations or jobs known or suspected to be associated with lung cancer was prepared. The aim of this study was to assess the number of potentially exposed workers using this list.

Methods: A detailed and unique list of codes has been developed on the basis of the national standard classification of economic activities.