Biomedical subjects

G Assennato

Publications and source records attributed to G Assennato.

59 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[Tumors of the hemolymphopoietic tract and employment in agriculture: a case-control study carried out in an epidemiologic area in southern Italy].

To evaluate the role of agricultural exposures in the development of lymphatic and haemopoietic tumors a population-based case-referent study has been carried out in three health districts of Southern Italy. All incident cases of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma from 1 July 1987 to 30 June 1989, aged 14 years or more, have been identified (71 subjects). The control group is formed by subjects with other neoplasms. A Job Exposure Matrix, specific to 10 areas, to 6 major crops and to 4 calendar periods, was built for assessing pesticide exposure. To date 100 interviews (to the index subject or to proxies) have been carried out (26 cases and 74 referents). The odds ratio (OR) of hematologic malignancies for agricultural workers was 1.63 [95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI): 0.69-4.34] in the whole sample and 6.00 (95% CI: 1.21-25.52) in the female group. Significative increased risks have been observed for exposure to DDT and creolin (OR = 4.11; 95% CI: 1.16-14.55) and, for leukemia, for cattle breeders (OR = 6.38; 95% CI: 1.46-27.83).

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Possible long-term effects on the respiratory system of exposure to yperite of fishermen].

Yperite or mustard gas is a well known vesicant agent that was widely used in World War I, and so far it has been the cause of several accidental exposures from sulfur mustard bombs in the marine environment. In Apulia from 1946 to 1996, 236 exposures were identified when sulfur mustard shells were caught up in fishing nets. The long term effects on the respiratory tract due to the occupational exposure to sulfur mustard are well known. Sulfur mustard has been demonstrated to be causally related to COLD and respiratory tract cancer in many epidemiological studies conducted on workers exposed in manufacturing plants. This study describes chronic pulmonary diseases in fishermen acutely exposed to mustard gas.

Chemical Warfare Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Hemo-lymphopoietic tumors in agriculture. Case-control study in an epidemiologic area of southern Bari].

In order to evaluate the association between hemolymphoietic tumors and agriculture, we are carrying out a case-control study in the southern province of Bari (Italy). In the period 1st July 1987-30 June 1989, seventy-one incident cases of limphomes, leukemias and multiple myeloma and three fold higher number of controls (other tumors) aged more than fourteen years old were selected. A structured questionnaire was carried out to collect informations, focusing attention to the use of pesticides. For the evaluation of the exposure to specific substances a crop exposure matrix with "multiple circumstantial determinants" (crops and/or type of breeding, phytopatologies, areas and time windows) will be used. In this update a specific pesticides analysis was not conducted. Therefore, we classified as exposed farmers, farm laboures, breeders and whoever affirmed the regular use of pesticides. Up to 1st July 1995, one hundred and seventy-three subjects were contacted. Twenty-three (13%) of them refused to participate to the study, one hundred and fifteen (87%) of them, thirty-one (21%) case and one hundred and nineteen (79%) controls, were interviewed. Nineteen (61%) of cases were males, twelve (39%) of cases were exposed; seventy-two (60.5%) of controls were males, fourty-five (38%) of controls were exposed. The risk of hemolymphoietic tumors associated with exposure was null (O.R. = 1.04; I.C. 95% = 0.42-2.50); no job category (farmer, farm labourer, breeder) was statistically significant associate with cases. An association with farmer (O.R. = 4.87; I.C. 95% - 1.12-20.52) and breeder (O.R. = 4.83; I.C. = 1.19-18.11) was statistically significant if those fourteen subjects with leukemia were considered as cases. Using a logistic model (which independent variables were age, sex, information gathered directly from the subject of from relatives and smoking habit) O.R. for leukemia and farmer resulted statistically significant (O.R. = 5.38; I.C. 95% = 1.31-21.99); instead a considerable decreased O.R. was observed for leukemia and breeder (O.R. = 1.20; I.C. 95% = 0.73-2.00). These results could be subject to variation after the next data input.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The toxicology and prevention of the risks of occupational exposure to aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons. I. Guide lines for the prevention of the risks of occupational exposure to aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons. Società Italiana Valori di Riferimento and Cattedra di Medicina del Lavoro, Università di Brescia].

These guidelines mainly deal with prevention of carcinogenic effects following occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). After some toxicological remarks, the guidelines define a possible method to demonstrate and evaluate occupational exposure to PAH. In particular, it is illustrated the strategy of environmental monitoring and indicated which PAH should be measured, with suggestion about the most appropriate analytical techniques. As regards biological monitoring, the 1-OH-pyreneseems to be currently the most useful indicator since it reflects the recent and global exposure to PAH. The guidelines also give elements to interpret monitoring data, taking into account environmental and biological reference and limit values suggested by some authors, Associations, or current regulations. The most important health effects are carcinogenic and excess risks have been described mainly for lung, bladder and skin cancer in some PAH exposed workers. The studies on cytogenetic effects showed contradictory results. On the basis of such information and current regulations, the guidelines show how to perform health surveillance in preventive and periodical examinations and how to proceed for the information and formation of exposed workers. It is not advisable, on the basis of the current scientific data, to screen asymptomatic PAH exposed workers for early diagnosis of lung or bladder cancer, nor it is opportune the use of tumor markers for health surveillance nor is genetic screening applicable for individual susceptibility evaluation outside research programs.

Carcinogens↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The toxicology and prevention of the risks of occupational exposure to aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons. III. The effects: epidemiological evidence, early effects. Individual hypersusceptibility. Health surveillance].

Adverse effects following occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are mainly carcinogenic. The available epidemiological data suggest that some substances and industrial processes, in which PAH exposure is frequent, are classified as carcinogenic to humans: primary aluminium industry, cola gasification, coke production, iron and steel foundry, coal tar, pitch, creosote, untreated mineral oils, asphalt, soot. The target organs are mainly lung, bladder, skin. Other relevant effects are skin lesions such as folliculitis. The studies on early biological effects (chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges, micronuclei) have shown contradictory results, mainly because of differences in exposure intensity. The metabolic polymorphism may account for a higher susceptibility to lung and bladder cancer following exposure to risk factors; the role of PAH occupational exposure is however to be examined, and the use of indicators of genetic susceptibility is currently limited to research programs. Health surveillance for PAH exposed workers is funded on the Italian laws (DPR 303/56 and D.Lgs. 626/94) and it is mainly dedicated to prevention of carcinogenic effects. Preventive examinations should consider PAH target organs (skin, lung, bladder, larynx) and look for early signs and symptoms. Particular attention will be paid to life habits such as tobacco smoking or diseases which could represent condition of susceptibility. Periodical examinations (every six months) will similarly evaluate PAH target organs. Health surveillance is also programmed for formerly exposed workers and the institution of exposure and cancer registries is mandatory. On the basis of the current scientific data, it is not advisable the use of tumor markers or cytogenetic tests at the individual level as well as the screening of asymptomatic PAH exposed workers for early diagnosis of lung or bladder cancer. Information and formation activities will be part of medical examinations and will be included in specific programs in cooperation with other company functions.

Carcinogens↗