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G Chiappino

Publications and source records attributed to G Chiappino.

86 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Atmospheric asbestos pollution in the urban environment: Rome, Orbassano and a control locality (II)].

To complete our previous study which evaluated by TEM the atmospheric concentrations of asbestos in the urban areas of Milan, Casale Monferrato, Brescia, Ancona, Bologna and Florence, the concentrations measured in Rome, Orbassano and in two mountain test locations, one with serpentine rock (Valle di Susa) and the other with granitic rock (Adamello), are now reported. Compared with the towns in northern Italy, which had already shown decreasing pollution levels from Casale Monferrato to Milan, Brescia, Ancona, Bologna and Florence, the levels measured in Rome were extremely low, about ten times lower than those measured in Florence, which were in turn ten times lower than those measured in Milan. In Orbassano the levels near serpentine quarries were slightly higher than the geologic background values. The geologic background level in Valle di Susa was approximately 1 fibre/litre (> 5 microns) and 2.5 fibres/litre (total fibres); asbestos fibres were totally absent in the mountain area with granitic rock. The clearly decreasing values of pollution starting from the northern cities down to Rome lead to the exclusion of motor vehicle traffic as one of the "primary" sources of fibre dispersion. In fact, traffic becomes significant in producing pollution only in the presence of other dispersion sources since it gives rise to "secondary" pollution consisting of ultra-thin fibres through grinding of coarse fibres dispersed from other sources and sedimented on the ground. The authors attribute the main responsibility in maintaining comparatively high concentrations of asbestos fibres in the urban areas of northern Italy to weathered asbestos-cement coverings which act as "primary" sources.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The problem of asbestos today].

The exposure to asbestos (on workplaces and in environment) remains an open problem of greatest importance, even though asbestos has been proclaimed since 1992. The work physician must carefully identify the various work exposures in different jobs and practices, but he must above all acquire the best knowledges for a good diagnosis of every asbestos related pathology, also due past exposures.

Asbestosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational olfactory changes: diagnostic trends].

Olfactory testing has been of minor interest in Occupational Health due to the lack of testing methods able to detect malingering. On the other hand there is evidence that occupational exposure to several, mainly neurotoxic, substances may result in olfactory damage. We have combined three different testing methods in one package in order to assure a forensic-degree level of results. The package consists of: 1. primary neuron functionality testing with a single olfactory stimulant; 2. olfactory-trigeminal discrimination testing with regular sniff-test; 3. odor identification score by Doty's UPSIT test. Final judgement of a link between olfactory system impairment and occupational exposure to chemicals requires a good knowledge of the present and past occupational exposure and of the general conditions of the patient. It requires collaboration between the Occupational Health specialist and the expert in Olfactology and may be completed with endoscopy, radiography and other specific controls. We suggest that a more extensive use of appropriate olfactory testing should be established at least for special risk groups of workers. This will not only detect occupational health damage that would otherwise have remained unknown, but can also furnish new information on the neurotoxic effects of many inhalable chemicals.

Diagnosis, Differential↗