Biomedical subjects

E Sartorelli

Publications and source records attributed to E Sartorelli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

[The risk of lead and health conditions of exposed workers in the Siena region].

A number of studies on the health of occupational exposure to lead of workers from various industrial sectors are summarized. These studies document the disappearance of severe cases of saturnism, as seen in the past, and the occurrence nowadays, mainly of sub-clinical manifestations, such as alterations of blood levels of lead and protoporphyrin IX, in the large majority of cases. For the period 1984-95, a statistical analysis of the results obtained for these parameters is reported, together with other clinical data, for seven industrial sectors: crystal, ceramics, chemistry, metallurgy and mechanics, iron and steel, printing and painting. These results show a drop of the mean concentrations of blood lead levels in all sectors but the ceramic industry, especially since 1991, when the law, Decreto Legislativo 277/91--in accomplishment of European directives on protection of workers, including the directive 82/605/EEC--has been put into force.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Biological monitoring of exposure to chlorpyrifos-methyl by assay of urinary alkylphosphates and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol.

The results of biological monitoring by assay of urinary 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol and alkylphosphates (DMP, DMTP) in groups of 9 and 2 workers exposed to chlorpyrifos-methyl during vine spraying and manual leaf thinning 5-11 d after spraying, respectively, are reported. The results are compared with those of a control group of 46 subjects not occupationally exposed to organophosphate insecticides. Significantly higher urinary excretion of metabolites (Mann-Whitney U-test) was found in both groups than in controls. Levels of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (mean +/- SD) were 15.9 + 10.6 nmol/g creatinine (n = 33) for controls, 92.4 + 162.5 nmol/g creatinine (n = 20) for manual workers, and 675.5 + 1110.8 nmol/g creatinine (n = 48) for workers spraying and mixing the insecticide. Levels of DMP (mean +/- SD) were 63.8 + 100.1 nmol/g creatinine (n = 42), 123.0 + 79.0 nmol/g creatinine (n = 20), and 577.2 + 1003.2 nmol/g creatinine (n = 61), respectively, for the same 3 groups. Levels of DMTP (mean +/- SD) were 153.4 + 164.4 nmol/g creatinine (n = 43), 489.3 + 288.3 nmol/g creatinine (n = 20), and 297.6 + 215.4 nmol/g creatinine (n = 61), respectively, for the same 3 groups. Good correlations were found between urinary excretion of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol and DMP (r = .776 for manual workers; r = .775 for workers mixing and spraying the insecticide) or DMTP (r = .558 and r = .746, respectively for the same 2 groups). The peak of excretion of the three metabolites was found in urine samples collected the night after the spraying or leaf thinning operations.

Agriculture↗

PubMed1996

Urinary excretion of alkylphosphates in the general population (Italy).

Xenobiotic residues and their metabolites in biological fluids of the general population are an important indicator of exposure to toxic substances dispersed in the environment. Urine samples collected from 124 subjects living in SW Tuscany, Italy were analyzed for alkylphosphates (dimethylphosphate, dimethylthiophosphate, dimethyldithiophosphate, diethylphosphate, diethylthiophosphate, diethyldithiophosphate), aspecific metabolites of organophosphorus insecticides. The compound most frequently found was dimethylthiophosphate which was detectable in 99% of the subjects analyzed, with a geometric mean of 70.7 nmol/g creatinine. The other substances were found in the following percentages of our population, at the following mean concentrations: dimethylphosphate, 87%, 62.8 nmol/g creat.; dimethyldithiophosphate, 48%, 21.1 nmol/g creat.; diethylphosphate, 81%, 27.4 nmol/g creat.; diethylthiophosphate, 73%, 22.8 nmol/g creat.; diethyldithiophosphate, 7%, 13.7 nmol/g creatinine. Subjects eating food (fruit, meat, vegetables) that was not their own produce showed higher urinary concentrations of nearly all the compounds. The other variables considered (sex, age, residence, alcohol, smoking, sampling period) seem to affect the percentages of positive values of the various substances but to different degrees. Age and source of foods were the most important variables for dimethylthiophosphate excretion when mean values were analyzed by Student's t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Respiratory disease as a result of talc inhalation.

Three cases of respiratory disease in workers with occupational exposure to talc containing asbestos fibers are reported. Standard chest roentgenographs, high-resolution computed tomography, respiratory function tests, morphologic study of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL), light microscopic examination, and mineralogical analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of BAL was performed. All subjects showed bilateral pleural plaques, and in two subjects the study of BAL revealed lymphocytic alveolitis with an increased T4/T8 ratio. Mineralogical analysis of BAL detected asbestos-fiber concentrations of 510, 2039, and 3392 fibers/mL and many asbestos bodies. In one patient, mineralogical analysis of lung tissue was also performed; a concentration of 3,659,000 fibers/g dry tissue was found. Simultaneously, we performed a mineralogical study of 12 commercial talc samples, including those used by the patients during the last phase of their working lives. TEM revealed asbestos fibers in five samples. Two subjects used two of these talc powders. The study presented here confirms the need to perform all relevant clinical tests together with the study of BAL and mineralogical analysis of the materials to which the patients are or were exposed to determine occupational exposure to fibers, including those associated with talc, which are often misidentified.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

PubMed1994

Biological monitoring of exposure to organophosphorus insecticides by assay of urinary alkylphosphates: influence of protective measures during manual operations with treated plants.

Biological monitoring was carried out by assaying urinary dimethylated alkylphosphates [dimethyldithiophosphate (DMDTP), dimethylthio-phosphate (DMTP), and dimethylphosphate (DMP)] in 11 workers exposed to chlorpyrifos-methyl and azinphosmethyl during operations in a previously sprayed peach orchard. The subjects were divided into groups on the basis of the protective clothing worn. The results were compared with those of a reference group of 99 subjects not occupationally exposed to organophosphorus insecticides. The hand-wash liquid of the workers was also analyzed to evaluate skin contamination. Significantly higher levels of urinary excretion of alkylphosphates were found in all groups than in unexposed controls (Student's t test). A good correlation was found between quantities of the active ingredients on the hands and urinary excretion of total dimethylated alkylphosphates (r = 0.788) and of DMTP (r = 0.749) and DMP (r = 0.790) alone. The correlation between azinphos-methyl on the hands and urinary excretion of DMDTP was poor (r = 0.069). Under the working conditions investigated, the main route of absorption seems to be via the skin. Respiratory absorption, however, also appears significant in view of the difference in urinary excretion of dimethylated alkylphosphates found between subjects with and without face masks.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Pulmonary alveolar lipoproteinosis in rats following intratracheal injection of pyrite particles.

Wistar rats were injected intratracheally with pyrite particles and after 6 and 12 mo, lungs were evaluated for histological changes. Results were compared with rats that were given particles of galena, lead silicate, travertine, and quartz. Under the light microscope no significant changes were observed in the lungs from animals treated with galena, lead silicate, and travertine. In the lungs from animals that received quartz, a typical nodular fibrosis was observed. Moreover, both pyrite-treated rats and quartz-treated rats developed pulmonary alveolar lipoproteinosis; the lesions were much less prominent and severe in animals injected with pyrite than with quartz. These results indicate that pyrite, like only a few other types of dust that are different from quartz, can evoke the development of pulmonary alveolar lipoproteinosis in rats.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Lead silicate toxicity: a comparison among different compounds.

The aim of this report is to point out the relative toxicity of different commercial products containing lead silicates by studying their in vitro solubility and rate of absorption via the respiratory and digestive systems, compared with those of red lead (lead tetroxide). In vitro solubility was tested, by a modified Brimsdown method, with bidistilled water, saline, blood serum, pleural fluid, and dilute hydrochloric and acetic acids as solvents. Experimental animals were administered 25 mg equivalent mean doses using an intragastric tube or endotracheal intubation. Results showed that in vitro solubility gradually increases from distilled water, through saline and biological fluids, to acidic media. Lead absorption via the respiratory system is rapid and persistent, with small differences among the tested compounds. Less information can be gained from intragastric experiments. No correlation was found between in vitro solubility and in vivo absorption. On the other hand, in vitro studies must be strictly standardized. The relative absorption of the different materials, compared with red lead showed that all of them have to be regarded as equally toxic.

Absorption↗

PubMed1983

Toxic polyneuropathy of shoe workers in Italy. A clinical, neurophysiological and follow-up study.

Cases of polyneuropathy due to exposure to industrial solvents have been studied at several shoe factories in the province of Siena. After the screening of 654 employees 98 verified cases were detected. Of these, 16 were rated as moderate to severe, 45 as mild, and 37 were minimally involved but with characteristic electrodiagnostic abnormalities. Follow-up study in 53 patients showed that neurological signs and symptoms as well as electrodiagnostic abnormalities continued for years in several patients. In addition, after a year's observation, some patients showed signs of central nervous system dysfunction such as spasticity of the lower limbs and increased deep tendon reflexes. High percentages of commercial n-hexane were found in all the samples of glues and solvents collected from home-workers and from factories where cases of polyneuropathy occurred.

Adhesives↗

PubMed1983

A case-referent study on nasal cancer and exposure to wood dust in the province of Siena, Italy.

The aim of the present study was to assess the risk of nasal cancer associated with exposure to dust in the wood and furniture industry in the province of Siena, Italy. Four to seven percent of the active male population is employed in this sector. A case-referent approach was used. The cases included male subjects seen at the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic and the Radiotherapy Unit of Siena and diagnosed as having cancer of the nasal cavities or paranasal sinuses between 1963 and 1981. The referents were male patients admitted to the Medical Clinic of Siena for all causes except nasal neoplasia; they were matched 5:1 to the cancer patients for age and time of admission. Information was gathered (by postal questionnaires) on the occupational histories of all 36 of the cancer patients and 164 of the 180 referents. The odds ratio associated with exposure to wood dust was 5.4 (1.7-17.2) for all carcinomas, and 87.7 (19.8-407.3) for mucinous adenocarcinoma. The woods used by the exposed cancer patients were mainly oak, chestnut, poplar, and fir. The median duration of exposure was 40 years; no exposed cancer patient reported the presence of exhaust systems in their work environment.

Adult↗

PubMed1981

Impairment of nervous system in workers exposed to inorganic mercury.

Impairment of nervous functions has been investigated by clinical and neurophysiological methods in 55 workers exposed to inorganic mercury intoxication and 27 controls living in the same area. A polyneuropathy, mainly of sensory type, has been found in 6 exposed workers (10,9%) and 2 control (7,4%); a mono or multineuropathy of sensory or motor type was present in 15 exposed (27%) and 10 control (29,6%) subjects. Central N.S. involvement has been found in 7 out of 12 exposed workers examined and in 1 out of 7 controls by electronystagmography. Neurological examination demonstrated minor signs of cerebellar type in 3 instances.

Humans↗

PubMed1978