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Biomedical subjects

M Dell'Omo

Publications and source records attributed to M Dell'Omo.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

[Lead absorption in an Umbrian population from 1982 to 1992].

This report assessed lead absorption in community samples of the general population in Umbria, central Italy, in 1982 and in 1992. Each participant (128 subjects in 1982 and 479 in 1992) answered a questionnaire providing details of personal information and life style. Blood lead levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In 1992 hematocrit and glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) levels were also measured. In 1982 the mean blood lead level was 226 micrograms/l in males and 167 micrograms/l in females, and in 1992 it was still higher in males than in females (98 micrograms/l vs 61 micrograms/l) as were hematocrit and gamma-GT levels. Multiple regression analysis showed sex and age were the main factors accounting for 42% of the total variation in blood lead levels. They were followed by alcohol consumption, gamma-GT levels and smoking in this order. In conclusion, blood lead levels decreased significantly in central Italy in the decade 1982-92 and persistent lead absorption seems to be due to individual characteristics such as male sex, advanced age and a personal life style which includes alcohol consumption and smoking.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

High prevalence of sick building syndrome in a new air-conditioned building in Italy.

This study, which was conducted in central Italy, included (a) 525 office workers employed in an air-conditioned building that had fan coil units in every room (building B) and (b) 281 subjects who worked in three naturally ventilated buildings (building A) that were operated by the same public administration. The prevalence of work-related symptoms was assessed by a questionnaire that was administered by an occupational medicine specialist. The most frequent complaints of employees in building B were dry air, strong lighting, and high temperature. Employees who worked in this building experienced a statistically higher prevalence of symptoms that were characteristic of the sick building syndrome. This is the first time that this syndrome has been reported in Italy. Excessive illumination, a low relative humidity, and fiberglass on floors and furniture might have contributed to the symptoms. Inadequate maintenance of the building's air-conditioning plant and the employees' lack of information regarding self-regulation of the fan coil units may also have contributed to the prevalence of symptoms.

Air Conditioning↗
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. II. Toxicology. Exposure assessment. Environmental and biological monitoring].

The evaluation of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) should firstly comply with current regulations (D.Lgs. 626/94), that is, identify the compounds and exposed subjects, quantify exposure, adopt preventive measures and health and epidemiological surveillance. Environmental monitoring should take into account the technological cycle and the tasks with higher PAH exposure risk, and the main sources of emissions. In the case of skin contamination, it should be considered the measure of skin PAH by means of sampling or removal techniques; moreover, the determination of urinary hydroxypyrene (1-HP) should be performed. It is mandatory to analyse (Benz[a]) anthracene; Benzo[b]fluroanthene; Benzo[j]fluoranthene; Benzo[k]fluoranthene; Benzo[a]pyrene; Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, i.e. the PAH marked with the R45-R49 phrase. When 1-HP determination is planned, Pyrene should be added. Biological monitoring has been addressed mainly to hydroxylated metabolites of pyrene and among these 1-HP, the main metabolite of pyrene, although non occupational factors, such as tobacco smoking and consumption of smoked foods are potentially confounding. Urinary mutagenicity tests which are heavily influenced by non occupational factors such as tobacco smoking and diet are not advisable. The determination of DNA and protein adducts is a promising test for evaluation of metabolic active dose but at the moment it is not suitable for routine use in occupational medicine. In order to interpret environmental and biological data, it will be useful to consider appropriate reference values ("limit" "guide", "operative", "maximum admissible") such as 0.1 mg/m3 for total PAH extracted with benzene, 5 micrograms/m3 for the mixture of 15 PAH listed by US NTP, the limits varying from 0.1 to 5 micrograms/m3 for Benzo[a]pyrene, and 2.7-4.4 micrograms/g creat, for 1-HP.

Carcinogens↗