Manfredi Montalti

Respiratory risks in tunnel construction workers.

Respiratory diseases are frequent in tunnel construction workers. A group of 144 subjects randomly selected from the population of 2516 workers engaged in the construction of the railway tunnel under the Appennine Mountains, from Bologna to Firenze was investigated. A group of 69 males comparable for age, living area and habits was studied as a control group. Assessment of air pollutants (NO, NO2, SO2, total dust, silica %) was carried out by means of fixed monitoring stations as well as personal monitors. All the subjects included in the study were examined with a standardised protocol which included physical examination, lung function tests (before and after shift work) and a questionnaire to collect respiratory symptoms. Low concentrations of environmental pollutants were evidenced. Significantly lower values of FEV, and PEF were determined in the worker group pared to controls. A significant decrease in respiratory parameters was shown after shift work. Variables capable of influencing the decrease in parameters include smoking habits, work activity, presence of cough and expectoration, period of the year (spirometries resulted worse in the winter time). Significantly lower values of FEV1 and PEF were evidenced in the workers compared to controls. In spite of the present low work environmental exposure conditions, some physiologic parameters appear altered in tunnel construction workers. This may depend on a variety of noxious agents present in the working environment.

The Assessment of Work-Related Stress in a Large Sample of Bank Employees

Over the past decade there has been a marked increase in the amount of interest in issues involving work-related stress in Italy. Firstly, with the promulgation of the fundamental law for the protection of health and safety in the workplace, stress has been included as an element to be considered in the mandatory risk assessment. According to the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, research in Italy demonstrated high levels of stress in the banking sector. Moreover, since 2008, a deep financial crisis has widely spread around the world. Scientists expressed their worry about this crisis by pointing out that potential negative health effects can be created by collective fear and panic. Economic stress appeared consequently as a new important aspect of mental health. With this in mind, a study was conducted to evaluate peculiarities of hindrance and challenge stressors and its links with recovery in Italian banking population.

Risk Assessment in an Industrial Hospital Laundry

Background. The laundries present in hospitals are responsible for washing, disinfection and distribution of working clothes. In healthcare services, workers from laundry services are exposed to various occupational hazards, including the ergonomic ones, related in particular to repeated movements of lumbar flexion, raising the arms above shoulder level and transportation of loads. These conditions can provoke musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), one of the most common occupational disease present in developed countries.

Allergic symptoms and status of sensitisation status in a large group of young residents in Tuscany

withdrawn Oral Session 8 – Asthma: diagnosis and management