Lucia Bisceglia

A study of factors influencing urinary arsenic excretion in exposed workers.

This study was designed to evaluate the influence of occupational and non-occupational factors on urinary arsenic excretion in workers exposed to iAs (inorganic arsenic) in the dismantlement of a factory which once produced fertilisers. We measured iAs and its methylated metabolites in 108 urinary samples of workers exposed to iAs in July 2006. A total of 13.9% of the samples showed levels higher than the Biological Exposure Index (BEI) of 35 μg/l (mean value 23.9 μg/l). After the improvement of working conditions, in August–October 2006 we collected urinary samples from each of the 108 workers enrolled. We also administrated a questionnaire, in order to investigate the influence of occupational and non-occupational factors on the urinary arsenic excretion. A significant difference was observed in relation with seafood consumption and age stratification. We have found a significant reduction of urinary arsenic excretion between the two phases of biological monitoring, probably due to appropriate hygiene work-related interventions.

Estimates of cancer burden in Puglia

AIMS AND BACKGROUND A regional population-based cancer registry that provides incidence and survival data has become active only recently. Since it is important to know the time trends of basic epidemiological indicators to understand the cancer burden in the region, this paper will provide incidence, prevalence and mortality estimates in the region for seven major cancers for the period 1970-2015. METHODS The estimates were obtained by applying the MIAMOD method, a statistical back-calculation approach to derive incidence and prevalence figures starting from mortality and relative survival data. Survival was modeled on the basis of published data from the Italian cancer registries. RESULTS The incidence rates are estimated to be still increasing for female breast cancer, colorectal cancer in men and skin melanoma in both sexes. By contrast, the incidence rates indicate a decreasing trend for cervix uteri cancer and stomach cancer, the latter both in men and women. For these cancers an analogous trend is observed for mortality, confirming the reduction of the risk factors related to these cancer types. The incidence rates for lung cancer and prostate cancer in men were estimated to rise, reach a peak, and then decrease in the last part of the considered period. Prevalence increased for all the considered cancers except cervix cancer. The increase was striking for breast cancer and less pronounced for stomach cancer in both genders. CONCLUSION This paper provides a description of the burden of the major cancers until 2015. The results highlight the need to reinforce effective preventive measures to contrast cancers related to an unhealthy lifestyle and to increase the compliance with organized screening programs to reduce the colorectal and breast cancer burden.

Source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and carcinogenic risk estimate in Taranto, Italy

Objectives In last 2 years the limit value of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) in ambient air of 1.0 ng/m3 has been exceeded in the urban district of Taranto near the industrial area. In these cases Italian law prescribes the adoption of corrective measures on emission sources. The objectives were: to identify emission sources and quantify relative contribution to the PAHs levels; to estimate health impact associated to PAHs exposure in general population. Methods For the source apportionment multivariate receptor models have been used. Data of monthly average concentration of PAHs measured in several location have been analysed. US-EPA UNMIX software has been used to estimate profiles of unknown sources and uses diagnostic tools to identify the respective number and which chemical species are significant for analysis. To compute the lung cancer risk the WHO unit risk estimate for BaP (8.7 x 10-5 ng/m3) has been adopted. Results Preliminary results show that the models employed identify 3 to 4 emission sources. Profile and temporal trends of each one have been described. Estimated profiles have been compared with measured ones. Based on the average annual BaP level measured (1.3 ng/m3 in 2009, 1.8 in 2010), 2 excess cancer cases are estimated to result from a life-time exposure based on 2009 data, and 3 cases are expected according to 2010 values. Conclusions Among different emissive sources, the analysis identifies theoretical sources whose profiles, compared with observed data, allow to identify dominant contributions to PAHs pollution and to design corrective actions to reduce environmental and health impact.

Exposure assessment to heavy metals in general population in an area at high environmental risk through biological monitoring

Objectives In areas at high environmental risk, a major issue is the correct assessment of the exposure of general population to industrial pollutants. The objectives were: to evaluate the exposure to heavy metals emitted from industrial area of Taranto; to correlate biological monitoring data with environmental data, in order to clarify the impact of industrial pollution in terms of internal dose. Methods A cross sectional study has been designed to measure levels of urinary arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, manganese in 300 subjects resident in Taranto and in a rural area. Adult subjects have been selected by a random stratified sampling. Each subject in the study has been asked to sign the informed consent form and has been administered a structured standardised questionnaire to collect personal data in order to control for potential confounders. Results Preliminary results based on 141 subjects (67 men and 74 women) from the polluted area, show mean concentrations of lead (10.80 ± 8.52 microg/l) and chromium (0.45 ± 0.64 microg/l) exceeding threshold of Italian Society of Reference Values. Conclusions Results from biological monitoring may enhance to address the issue of preventing harmful effects of environmental factors.

Late industrial development and occupational health in Southern Italy

Abstract The authors report the occupational medicine problems in the Apulia region, which are representative of those in Southern Italy. Late industrialization was associated with an early peak in injuries that was not associated with an increased workforce. Examples of operations adversely affecting worker and population health are presented.