Search results

1

Anosmia after exposure to a pyrethrin-based insecticide: A case report

100%

Gobba F., Abbacchini C.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2012

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vol. 25

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issue 4

506-512

EN

We present the case of a subject developing anosmia, preceded by nasal transient irritation and short lasting phantosmia and torqosmia, upon re-entrance into a room treated with a pyrethrin-based insecticide. The concentration of the insecticide in the room is unknown, but relatively high levels are predicted basing upon the modality of exposure and by the irritation symptoms in the subject. Despite corticosteroids therapy, anosmia has persisted unmodifi ed for more than three years; according to, and based on evidence in the literature on olfactory disturbance prognosis, anosmia in this patient is likely to be permanent. The signifi cance of this case report is related to the current wide use of insecticides containing pyrethrin and pyrethroids and highlights the need for more adequate attention to lowering airborne concentrations of pyrethrins and pyrethroids prior to re-entering the treated rooms. In particular, in a closed space sprayed with pyrethrins and pyrethroids insecticide, any irritant symptoms and/or dysosmia should be immediately considered relevant warning signs, and must be avoided.

2

Menometrorrhagia in magnetic resonance imaging operators with copper intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDS): A case report

71%

Gobba F., Bianchi N., Verga P., Contessa G. M., Rossi P.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2012

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vol. 25

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issue 1

97-102

EN

The paper describes the cases of 3 female health operators with implanted copper IUDs, developing menometrorrhagia some months after an increase of the working time in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Unit (1.5 T), that progressively disappeared when the previous organization, involving discontinuous work shifts at MRI, was re-established. No known factors possibly related to menometrorrhagia were evidenced in the 3 operators, supporting the hypothesis of a role of the exposure to the electromagnetic fields (EMF) induced by the MRI system in symptoms induction. The possible mechanism remains unsettled, but menometrorrhagia might be triggered by a phlogistic stimulus caused by EMF, possibly the lowfrequency currents induced in the wires of the IUD during the movements of the operator inside the static magnetic field generated by the MRI permanent magnet. Until now, the problem of possible interactions between copper IUDs and EMF induced by MRI has been considered in patients undergoing imaging, but the possible risk in MRI Units operators has been largely neglected. To our knowledge, the occurrence of menometrorrhagia is not routinely checked in health surveillance of MRI operators, so these symptoms can pass unnoticed, especially if they are transitory. Therefore, underreporting is rather possible. The cases described here support the need for further research on this topic, especially considering the progressive diffusion of more powerful MRI scanners (3 T and more), and of the interventional magnetic resonance imaging, both potentially involving higher EMF exposures, and a large number of MRI female operators, possibly using IUDs. The possibility that MRI operators with implanted metallic IUDs can be included in the group of “workers at particular risk” according to the EU Directive 2004/40/EC should be considered.

3

Outdoor work and solar radiation exposure: Evaluation method for epidemiological studies

61%

Modenese A., Bisegna F., Borra M., Grandi C., Gugliermetti F., Militello A., Gobba F.

Medycyna Pracy

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2016

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vol. 67

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issue 5

577-587

PL

Wstęp Ryzyko zdrowotne związane z nadmiernym narażeniem na promieniowanie słoneczne (solar radiation – SR) jest dobrze znane. Słońce stanowi główne źródło promieniowania optycznego wszystkich zakresów częstotliwości, które obejmuje część widma elektromagnetycznego w zakresie od 100 nm do 1 mm, w tym podczerwień (infrared – IR), ultrafiolet (ultraviolet – UV) i promieniowanie widzialne. Według najnowszych badań osoby pracujące na wolnym powietrzu mogą być znacznie narażone na promieniowanie słoneczne, ale w niewielu badaniach odtworzono szczegółową historię indywidualnej ekspozycji. Materiał i metody W artykule zaproponowano nową metodę oceny skumulowanego narażenia na SR podczas pracy i w czasie wolnym, uwzględniającą dane subiektywne i obiektywne. Pierwsze z nich są zbierane w wywiadzie, drugie można uzyskać z baz internetowych dla regionów geograficznych i poprzez indywidualne pomiary narażenia. Dane są łączone za pomocą algorytmu matematycznego w celu uzyskania wartości indywidualnego całkowitego narażenia na SR badanych osób w trakcie ich całego życia. Wyniki Kwestionariusz przetestowano wśród 58 ochotników. Dane dotyczące narażenia na SR w 3 różnych miejscach we Włoszech w 2012 r. uzyskano z internetowych baz danych. Pomiar indywidualnego narażenia na SR u 6 rybaków wykonano elektronicznym dozymetrem UV. Opracowano również matematyczny algorytm scalania danych subiektywnych i obiektywnych. Wnioski Proponowana metoda może być stosowana w badaniach epidemiologicznych do określenia zależności między efektami biologicznymi a narażeniem na promieniowanie słoneczne oraz do oceny roli czynników osobniczych i środowiskowych, które mogą zwiększać lub zmniejszać narażenie na promieniowanie słoneczne. Med. Pr. 2016;67(5):577–587

EN

Background The health risk related to an excessive exposure to solar radiation (SR) is well known. The Sun represents the main exposure source for all the frequency bands of optical radiation, that is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum ranging between 100 nm and 1 mm, including infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV) and visible radiation. According to recent studies, outdoor workers have a relevant exposure to SR but few studies available in scientific literature have attempted to retrace a detailed history of individual exposure. Material and Methods We propose a new method for the evaluation of SR cumulative exposure both during work and leisure time, integrating subjective and objective data. The former is collected by means of an interviewer administrated questionnaire. The latter is available through the Internet databases for many geographical regions and through individual exposure measurements. The data is integrated into a mathematical algorithm, in order to obtain an esteem of the individual total amount of SR the subjects have been exposed to during their lives. Results The questionnaire has been tested for 58 voluntary subjects. Environmental exposure data through online databases has been collected for 3 different places in Italy in 2012. Individual exposure by electronic UV dosimeter has been measured in 6 fishermen. A mathematical algorithm integrating subjective and objective data has been elaborated. Conclusions The method proposed may be used in epidemiological studies to evaluate specific correlations with biological effects of SR and to weigh the role of the personal and environmental factors that may increase or reduce SR exposure. Med Pr 2016;67(5):577–587

4

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the Northern Italy population before the COVID-19 second wave

42%

Berselli N., Filippini T., Paduano S., Malavolti M., Modenese A., Gobba F., Borella P., Marchesi I., Vivoli R., Perlini P., Bellucci R., Bargellini A., Vinceti M.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2021

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vol. 35

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issue 1

63-74

EN

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic is due to SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infections. It swept across the world in the spring of 2020, and so far it has caused a huge number of hospitalizations and deaths. In the present study, the authors investigated serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence in the period of June 1–September 25, 2020, in 7561 subjects in Modena, Northern Italy.Material and MethodsThe study population included 5454 workers referred to testing by their companies, and 2107 residents in the Modena area who accessed testing through self-referral.ResultsThe authors found the overall seroprevalence to be 4.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.2–5.2%), which was higher in women (5.4%, 95% CI: 4.5–6.2%) than in men (4.3%, 95% CI: 3.7–4.9%), and in the oldest age groups (7.3%, 95% CI: 5.2–9.3% for persons aged 60–69 years, and 11.8%, 95% CI: 8.6–15.1%, for persons aged ≥70 years). Among the occupational categories, the highest seroprevalence was found in healthcare workers (8.8%, 95% CI: 7.0–10.5%), dealers and vehicle repairers (5.2%, 95% CI: 2.9–7.6%), and workers in the sports sector (4.0%, 95% CI: 1.8–6.1%), while there was little or no such evidence for those employed in sectors such as transport and storage, accommodation and restaurant services, and the school system. Conclusions: These results have allowed, for the first time, to assess population seroprevalence in this area of Italy severely hit by the epidemic, while at the same time identifying the subgroups at a higher risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

5

Ethnic background and risk perception in construction workers: development and validation of an exploratory tool

42%

Ricci F., Modenese A., Bravo G., De Pasquale F., Ferrari D., Bello M., Carozza L., Longhi F., Favero G., Soddu S., Gobba F.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2019

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vol. 33

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issue 2

163-172

EN

ObjectivesAmong occupational sectors, construction is still one of the branches with the highest reported numbers of work-related injuries and diseases, which can even lead to death and in many cases induce permanent health consequences. The vast majority of these occupational injuries and diseases are preventable; accordingly, an improvement in preventive strategies, also through a better knowledge of the main factors involved in these events, is one of the most important objectives for better occupational health and safety in the construction sector. Considering the individual factors associated with a higher risk of work-related adverse health effects in workers, an inadequate perception of occupational risks is among the most relevant issues. Risk perception can vary according to different cultural backgrounds, highly influenced by ethnicity, and it affects the relations between workers in the work environment, and the way by with they undergo the specific occupational tasks and manage risky situations frequently occurring on construction sites. Accordingly, the aim of the authors was to develop a new tool for the assessment of risk perception in construction workers with different ethnic backgrounds.Material and MethodsA team of health and safety experts involved in the training of construction workers from various ethnic backgrounds and in different regions of Italy developed and validated a questionnaire-based tool for the evaluation of their risk perception. Furthermore, through a factor analysis, a reference model defining various dimensions of occupational risk perception, relevant for the different ethnicities, was identified.ResultsThe final tool included 12 items aimed to assess the associations between the ethnic background and occupational risk perception of construction workers. The authors identified 4 relevant dimensions: behavioral control, work conditions, safety climate and personal attitude.ConclusionsThe proposed tool should be considered to explore the appropriate ways for the development of effective preventive strategies for construction workers with different ethnic backgrounds in Italy.

Refine search results

Anosmia after exposure to a pyrethrin-based insecticide: A case report

Menometrorrhagia in magnetic resonance imaging operators with copper intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDS): A case report

Outdoor work and solar radiation exposure: Evaluation method for epidemiological studies

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the Northern Italy population before the COVID-19 second wave

Ethnic background and risk perception in construction workers: development and validation of an exploratory tool