M. P. Schifano

Exposure to Arsenic in urban and rural areas and effects on thyroid hormones

Context: Arsenic is a ubiquitous element present in urban air as a pollutant, and it may interfere with thyroid hormones. Objective: To evaluate the association between the personal exposure to arsenic and levels of TSH, fT4, fT3, and Tg in urban and rural workers. Materials and methods: Total urinary arsenic and thyroid markers were obtained from 108 non-smoking traffic policemen and 77 subjects working as roadmen in a rural area. Fifty subjects were monitored to evaluate airborne exposure to arsenic. Results: The mean value of exposure to arsenic was 2.9 µg/m3 in traffic policemen, while the mean value was less than 0.1 µg/m3 in roadmen. The mean values of urinary arsenic (10.4 μg/g creatinine vs. 5.2 μg/g creatinine; p = 0.000), TSH (1.6 µlU/ml vs. 1.3 µlU/ml; p = 0.006), fT3 (3.5 pg/ml vs. 3.7 pg/ml; p = 0.000), fT4 (1.2 ng/dl vs. 1.3 ng/dl; p = 0.000) and Tg (42.8 ng/ml vs. 36.1 ng/ml; p = 0.04) were significantly different between traffic policemen and roadmen. In traffic policemen, urinary arsenic and arsenic in the air were correlated to the airborne arsenic and TSH values, respectively. Urinary arsenic was correlated to TSH, Tg, fT3, and fT4 values. The multiple linear regression models showed the following associations: i) among urinary arsenic, arsenic in the air and job title; ii) among TSH, fT3, Tg and urinary arsenic; and iii) between fT4 and both urinary arsenic and alcohol intake. Conclusion: These results provide information about the relationship between exposure to arsenic and thyroid markers and may be useful for other categories of outdoor workers who are similarly exposed.

Assessment of occupational exposure to benzene, toluene and xylenes in urban and rural female workers

OBJECTIVES This is the first research study to compare among female, non-smoker workers: (a) the exposure to benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTXs) in urban air during work in the street (traffic policewomen, TP) vs. work in vehicles (police drivers, PD); (b) the exposure to BTXs in urban environments (in street and in car) vs. rural environments (roadwomen, RW); (c) the values of blood benzene, urinary trans, trans muconic acid (t,t-MA) and urinary S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA) in urban areas (in street and in car) vs. rural areas. METHODS Passive personal samplings and data acquired using fixed monitoring stations located in different areas of the city were used to measure environmental and occupational exposure to BTXs during the work shift in 48 TP, 21 PD and 22 RW. In the same study subjects, blood benzene, t,t-MA and S-PMA were measured at the end of each work shift. RESULTS Personal exposure of urban workers to benzene seemed to be higher than the exposure measured by the fixed monitoring stations. Personal exposure to benzene and toluene was (a) similar among TP and PD and (b) higher among urban workers compared to rural workers. Personal exposure to xylenes was (a) higher in TP than in PD and (b) higher among urban workers compared to rural workers. Blood benzene, t,t-MA and S-PMA levels were similar among TP and PD, although the blood benzene level was significantly higher in urban workers compared to rural workers. In urban workers, airborne benzene and blood benzene levels were significantly correlated. CONCLUSIONS Benzene is a human carcinogen, and BTXs are potential reproductive toxins at low dose exposures. Biological and environmental monitoring to assess exposure to BTXs represents a preliminary and necessary tool for the implementation of preventive measures for female subjects working in outdoor environments.

Plasma cortisol concentrations and lifestyle in a population of outdoor workers

The aim of this study was to assess whether exposure to urban pollution in outdoor workers, may alter plasma cortisol concentrations also in relation to the effect of smoking and drinking habits. The research was carried out on 498 outdoor police workers, divided into three groups; Group A: traffic policemen (TP), Group B: drivers (D), Group C: Other duties (OD). To evaluate separately the effect of using alcohol and smoking, each group was divided into three subgroups: (1) non-smokers and non-drinkers, (2) smokers and non-drinkers, (3) non-smokers and drinkers. Our results show cortisol mean values were significantly higher in the TP group compared to the D and OD groups without significant differences between the last two groups. The results suggest that exposure to pollutants associated with urban psychosocial stress may play a more important role on plasma cortisol levels than smoking and alcohol.

Cadmium and hypertension in exposed workers: A meta-analysis

ObjectivesIn the general population, cadmium seems to be responsible for hypertension, atherosclerosis and an increase in acute coronary events. Therefore, the purpose of this meta-analysis was to analyze controlled studies conducted on cadmium and arterial pressure in occupationally-exposed workers.Materials and MethodsAfter analyzing all the relevant articles found in the literature, 6 publications were selected.ResultsA higher prevalence of hypertension and higher values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were recorded in the exposed subjects.ConclusionsCadmium in occupationally-exposed individuals appears to induce an increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and an increase in the prevalence of hypertension.

Cardiovascular risk in rotogravure industry.

Objective: To verify whether the occupational hazards in the rotogravure industry can be associated with cardiovascular effects. Methods: We evaluated cardiovascular parameters and audiometric tests and analyzed noise, solvents, and shift work in 44 exposed and 44 unexposed workers. Results: Unlike unexposed workers, the rotogravure workers showed significant increase of mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) values (P = 0.019; P = 0.003), higher frequency of hypertension (P = 0.002) and electrocardiographic abnormalities (P = 0.0001), significant reduction or no variation of BP response to orthostatism (P = 0.0001), and association between high levels of noise and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.0067). Subjects with hearing loss showed high frequency of hypertension and a reduction or no variation of BP response to orthostatism (both P = 0.05). Conclusions: Data obtained suggest that these are the effects on the cardiovascular system of rotogravure workers who are exposed to noise.

Stress characteristics in different work conditions: Is it possible to identify specificity of risk factors by the questionnaire method?

The aim of this study is to identify, by a brief ad hoc questionnaire, specific dimensions of perceived occupational stress that could be relevant in two different work conditions of female workers: visual display unit (VDU) operators, for whom the risk of work-related stress is already known in literature, and kindergarten teachers, for whom very few studies have examined this risk. A questionnaire, prepared specifically for workers, was filled in by 70 all-female kindergarten teachers and 70 all-female VDU operators. The two groups were matched for age and length of service. The questionnaire was examined by factor analysis and questionnaire single item scores. Total score and factor scores were examined between group comparison of means analysis. The level of significance was established at p<0.05. Kindergarten teachers show significantly higher values of the questionnaire total score than VDU operators, indicating a higher level of perceived stress related to their occupation. In particular, the factor scores concerning perceived load of work responsibilities, the first of the three factors accounting for the structure of the questionnaire (1. perceived load of work-responsibility; 2. independence and autonomy in performing work-duties; 3. negative features of work interfering with psycho-physical wellbeing) are significant between groups. Compared to VDU operators, kindergarten teachers perceive a more stressful condition of responsibility in taking independent decisions and autonomously managing their work. When appropriate comparisons are performed between groups of workers operating under different occupational conditions, it is possible to identify, using an ad hoc questionnaire, different sources of occupational stress which are effective in the work environment of different categories of female workers.

Respiratory Parameters in Traffic Policemen Exposed to Urban Pollution

Studies in scientific literature have proved that urban pollution affects the respiratory system. The aim of our study is to assess the effects that different time of exposure to urban pollution can cause on respiratory function in municipal traffic policemen. The research was carried out on a sample of 120 traffic police officers of both sexes divided into two groups, group A with work service between 1 and 10 years and group B with more than 10 years of service. All subjects included in the study were tested for respiratory functions by a spirometer test. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between group A and group B (p<0.005) in some Spirometric parameters, such as Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). The study suggests that longer occupational exposure to urban pollutants increases the risk of modifications of respiratory function.

Anesthetic gases and occupationally exposed workers

The aim of this study is to estimate whether the occupational exposure to low dose anesthetic gases could cause alterations of blood parameters in health care workers. 119 exposed subjects and 184 not exposed controls were included in the study. Each worker underwent the complete blood count test (CBC), proteinaemia, leukocyte count, serum lipids, liver and kidney blood markers. The liver blood markers show statistically significant differences in health care workers compared with controls (p<0.05), a statistically significant decrease in neutrophils and an increase of lymphocytes in health care workers compared with controls (p<0.05). The prevalence of values outside the range for GPT, GGT, total bilirubin, lymphocytes and neutrophils was statistically significant in health care workers compared with controls (p<0.05). The results suggest that occupational exposure to low dose anesthetic gases could influence some haematochemical hepatic and hematopoietic parameters in exposed health care workers.

Follicle-stimulating hormone levels in female workers exposed to urban pollutants

The aim of this study was to evaluate if there were alterations in FSH plasma levels in female outdoor workers (traffic policewomen and drivers) exposed to chemical urban stressors vs. control group. After excluding subjects with main confounding factors, traffic policewomen, drivers and indoor workers were matched by age, working life, socioeconomic status, marital status, menstrual cycle day, age of menarche, habitual consumption of Italian coffee and soy. A total of 129 female subjects were included in the study: Some 63 workers studied during proliferative phase and 66 during secretory phase of menstrual cycle. Proliferative phase of menstrual cycle: FSH mean values were significantly higher in traffic policewomen compared to controls (p < 0.05). Results suggest that in outdoor workers exposed to urban chemical stressors there are alterations in FSH levels; therefore FSH may be used as an early biological marker, valuable for the group, used in occupational set.

Evaluation of some cardiovascular risk parameters in health professionals exposed to night work.

BACKGROUND Shift work and night work in particular represent a risk factor for the health of exposed workers; aim of our study is to evaluate whether night work may cause alteration of some cardiovascular risk parameters in health workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS The research was carried out on 415 health workers, 163 exposed to night work and 252 not exposed. A blood sample was taken from each worker, between 8.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m. before lunch time, to test total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Blood pressure and heart rate were also measured. Workers with cardiovascular diseases, thyroid diseases, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, those who made use of antihypertensive drugs, hypoglycemic and/or lipid-lowering drugs, subjects with body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) higher than 30 were excluded. RESULTS In the group of exposed compared to controls, increasing values of arterial pressure and heart rate, were not significant. The mean values of total cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly higher in exposed compared to controls while values of HDL cholesterol were significantly lower. CONCLUSIONS Night workers have clinically significant changes in blood levels of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, such alterations are presumably related to poor food hygiene and to psychosocial stressors.