To date, formaldehyde (FA) is one of the more common chemicals and its use is widespread around the world in different sectors, especially in chemical facilities and health care. FA is widely used in ...working activities owing to its chemical and physical properties. However, it also represents a concerning hazard for the workers’ health due to its toxicity and recognized carcinogenicity. The FA exposure evaluation in occupational setting has arisen interest in the scientific community that leads to the development of several analytical instruments in order to assess both long term and short-term exposure. The paper presents and discusses an equivalence tests procedure via the 2.4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH)-active air sampling formaldehyde (FA) reference method and two non-reference instruments based on continuous, direct reading monitoring, namely ProCeas® (AP2E) and NEMo XT (Ethera). The FA standard atmosphere calibration system was used to check the reference method by Pearson’s test. Subsequently, the Passing-Bablok test was carried out between the non-reference methods and the DNPH method for potential systematic or proportional errors, and finally the Bland-Altman plot was applied to determine the mean bias and the variances of the recorded values by the reference and non-reference methods in on-field sampling. The results showed a good correlation between the non-references method and the DNPH ones, suggesting their possible applications in heterogeneous occupational scenarios.
Sve do danas formaldehid (FA) često je korištena kemikalija a njegova je uporaba raširena diljem svijeta u različitim sektorima a naročito u kemijskim pogonima i zdravstvu. FA se mnogo koristi u raznim radnim postupcima radi svojih kemijskih i fizikalnih svojstava. Međutim, njegova toksičnost i karcinogeničnost predstavljaju opasnost po zdravlje radnika. Istraživanje izlaganja FA-u u radnom okružju predmet je zanimanja znanstvene zajednice i rezultira razvojem više analitičkih instrumenata kojima se utvrđuje njegov učinak na zdravlje nakon duljeg i kraćeg izlaganja. U radu je predstavljen i opisan postupak za test ekvivalencije pomoću FA referentne metode 2.4 dinitrofenilhidrazin (DNPH) -aktivnim uzimanjem uzoraka i dva nereferentna instrumenta temeljena na kontinuiranom izravnom praćenju očitanja, ProCeas® (AP2E) i NEMo XT (Ethera). Korištena je sustav za FA standardnu kalibraciju kako bi se referentna metoda provjerila pomoću Pearsonovog testa. Zatim je napravljen Passing-Bablok test između nereferentnih metoda i DNPH metode za otkrivanje mogućih sistemskih i proporcionalnih pogrešaka, a na kraju je izrađen Bland-Altman grafikon za određivanje srednjeg odstupanja i varijacija u vrijednostima dobivenima referentnim i nereferentnim metodama uzorkovanja na terenu. Rezultati su pokazali dobru korelaciju između nereferentne metode i DNPH metoda, naznačujući moguće primjene u raznorodnim radnim uvjetima.
Formaldehyde (FA) is a hazardous chemical, highly used in the anatomical pathology laboratories. The adverse health effects related to FA occupational exposure are generally related to long-term ...exposure, however the short-term exposure to peak concentrations are equally of high concern. The occupational monitoring commonly uses the 8h-Time Weight Average (TWA) metric to assess the exposure, but for those chemicals with acute effects, also the15min short-term exposure is strongly recommended. In this study, the occupational monitoring was carried out in an anatomical pathology laboratory with an in-continuous, instantaneous, and direct reading instrument for 65 work shifts (WS). In none of these, the FA European Union (EU) TWA occupational limit (620 g/m3) was exceeded. Differently, in 40 WS the EU Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) (740 g/m3) was exceeded, even several times a WS. In sight of this, the 8h-TWA metric only could give poor information of the exposure scenario, involving peak emissions, then a 15min peak exposure assessment, via in continuous monitoring, could help managing the risk. In addition, using the inference equation, an Action Value (AV) of the 8h-TWA above which the 15min measurements are strongly recommended, equal to 23.1 g/m3, is suggested for FA.
Formaldehid (FA) je štetna kemikalija koja se vrlo često koristi u anatomskim patološkim laboratorijima. Loši utjecaji FA na zdravlje zaposlenika izloženih toj tvari općenito se povezuju s dugotrajnom izloženošću, iako je i kratkotrajna izloženost vršnim koncentracijama vrlo zabrinjavajuća. Za praćenje utjecaja obično se koristi mjerenje prosjeka 8 h vrijeme-težina (TWA) kako bi se procijenila izloženost, no za kemijske tvari koje imaju akutno djelovanje izrazito se preporučuje izračun utjecaja 15-minutne kratkotrajne izloženosti. Istraživanje praćenja utjecaja FA na radnom mjestu provedeno je u jednom patološkom laboratoriju pomoću kontinuiranog, trenutnog i izravnog očitanja mjernim intstrumentom u 65 radnih smjena (WS). Ni u jednoj EU granica TWA od 620 g/m3 nije bila viša. Nasuprot tome, u 40 radnih smjena prijeđena je EU granica kratkotrajne izloženosti (STEL) od 740 g/m3 i to više puta tijekom radnog vremena. Ako se ovo uzme u obzir, 8-satno TWA mjerenje daje samo šture podatke o scenariju izloženosti vršnim emisijama i o 15-minutnim procjenama najviše izloženosti, dok bi kontinuirano praćenje više pomoglo upravljanju rizikom. Uz to, preporuka za FA jest korištenje inferencijalne jednadžbe Akcijska vrijednost (AV) za 8 h-TWA iznad 23.1 g/m3.
Formaldehyde (FA) is a chemical compound commonly used in anatomical pathology laboratories as a tissue preservative, and it is common and epidemiologically related to cancer. Therefore, the ...personnel resident in the anatomical pathology laboratories is among the workers most exposed to FA and its related cancer and non-cancerogenic risk. Thus, risk assessment, cancerogenic and non-cancerogenic, and a careful occupational exposure assessment are recommended. In this study, FA was monitored in an Italian anatomical pathology laboratory to perform an occupational exposure assessment, according to the UNI EN 689:219, and to determine the Hazard Quotient (HQ) and the Lifetime Cancer Hazard Risk (LCHR) for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessment, respectively. The exposure observed for pathologists and technicians is lower than the EU Occupational exposure limit mandatory (0.62 mg/m3), and both group of workers are in Compliance with it. Nevertheless, concerning the risk assessment, both the HQs and the LCHRs resulted in being higher (1.3 and 1.6 HQ and 3.2x10-5 and 3.9x10-5, for pathologists and technicians, respectively) than the ones observed in similar scenarios. This study shows how the exposure assessment to FA could face striving situations in terms of workers' health safeguard, due to the differences among occupational limits recommended and the high health risks, especially in the healthcare field.
Formaldehid je kemijski spoj koji se obično koristi u laboratorijima za anatomsku patologiju kao konzervans za čuvanje tkiva, a često ga se povezuje s rakom. Osoblje u takvim laboratorijima najizloženije je formaldehidu i s njim povezanom raku, a i nekancerogenom riziku. Stoga se preporuča procjena rizika, kancerogenih i nekancerogenih, a također i procjena izloženosti na radu. Ova studija pratila je formaldehid u jednom talijanskom laboratoriju za patologiju kako bi se procijenila izloženost na radu prema UNI EN 689:219 i utvrdio kvocijent opasnosti (HQ) kao i doživotnog rizika od raka (LCHR) te kancerogeni i nekancerogeni rizici. Izloženost patologa i tehničara bila je niža od Europske obvezne granice za izloženost na radu (0.62 mg/m3) i obje skupine bile su ispod te granice. No, ipak, što se tiče procjene rizika, oba parametra HQ i LCHR bila su viša (1.3 i 1.6 HQ, i 3.2x10-5 i 3.9x10-5 za patologe te tehničare, tj. viša od drugih zamijećenih u sličnim situacijama. Studija prikazuje kako procjena izloženosti formaldehidu može pomoći u očuvanju zdravlja radnika utvrđivanjem odstupanja od preporučenih graničnih vrijednosti i posljedično visokih rizika za zdravlje, posebno u zdravstvu.
Formaldehid je kemijski spoj koji se obicno koristi и laboratorijima za anatomsku patologiju kao konzervans za cuvanje tkiva, a cesto ga se povezuje s rakom. Osoblje и takvim laboratorijima ...najizlozenije je formaldehidu i s njim povezanom raku, a i nekancerogenom riziku. Stoga se preporuca procjena rizika, kancerogenih i nekancerogenih, a takoder i procjena izlozenosti na radu. Ova studija pratila je formaldehid и jednom talijanskom laboratoriju za patologiju kako bi se procijenda izlozenost na radu prema UNI EN 689:219 i utvrdio kvocijent opasnosti (HQ) kao i dozivotnog rizika od raka (LCHR) te kancerogeni i nekancerogeni rizici. Izlozenost patologa i tehnicara bila je niza od Europske obvezne granice za izlozenost na radu (0.62 mg/m3) i obje skupine bi le su ispod te granice. No, ipak, sto se tice procjene rizika, oba paramétra HQ 7 LCHR bila su visa (1.3 i 1.6 HQ, i 1.2x1 (/ ' i 3.9x10' za patologe te tehnicare, tj. visa od drugih zamijecenih и sHcnim situacijama. Studija prikazuje kako procjena izlozenosti formaldehidu moze pomoci и ocuvanju zdravlja radnika utvrdivanjem odstupanja od preporucenihgranicnih vrijednosti iposljedicno visokih rizika za zdravlje, posebno иzdravstvu.
Formaldehid je kemijski spoj koji se obično koristi u laboratorijima za anatomsku patologiju kao konzervans za čuvanje tkiva, a često ga se povezuje s rakom. Osoblje u takvim laboratorijima ...najizloženije je formaldehidu i s njim povezanom raku, a i nekancerogenom riziku. Stoga se preporuča procjena rizika, kancerogenih i nekancerogenih, a također i procjena izloženosti na radu. Ova studija pratila je formaldehid u jednom talijanskom laboratoriju za patologiju kako bi se procijenila izloženost na radu prema UNI EN 689:219 i utvrdio kvocijent opasnosti (HQ) kao i doživotnog rizika od raka (LCHR) te kancerogeni i nekancerogeni rizici. Izloženost patologa i tehničara bila je niža od Europske obvezne granice za izloženost na radu (0.62 mg/m3) i obje skupine bile su ispod te granice. No, ipak, što se tiče procjene rizika, oba parametra HQ i LCHR bila su viša (1.3 i 1.6 HQ, i 3.2x10-5 i 3.9x10-5 za patologe te tehničare, tj. viša od drugih zamijećenih u sličnim situacijama. Studija prikazuje kako procjena izloženosti formaldehidu može pomoći u očuvanju zdravlja radnika utvrđivanjem odstupanja od preporučenih graničnih vrijednosti i posljedično visokih rizika za zdravlje, posebno u zdravstvu.
Formaldehid (FA) je štetna kemikalija koja se vrlo često koristi u anatomskim patološkim laboratorijima. Loši utjecaji FA na zdravlje zaposlenika izloženih toj tvari općenito se povezuju s ...dugotrajnom izloženošću, iako je i kratkotrajna izloženost vršnim koncentracijama vrlo zabrinjavajuća. Za praćenje utjecaja obično se koristi mjerenje prosjeka 8 h vrijeme-težina (TWA) kako bi se procijenila izloženost, no za kemijske tvari koje imaju akutno djelovanje izrazito se preporučuje izračun utjecaja 15-minutne kratkotrajne izloženosti. Istraživanje praćenja utjecaja FA na radnom mjestu provedeno je u jednom patološkom laboratoriju pomoću kontinuiranog, trenutnog i izravnog očitanja mjernim intstrumentom u 65 radnih smjena (WS). Ni u jednoj EU granica TWA od 620 g/m3 nije bila viša. Nasuprot tome, u 40 radnih smjena prijeđena je EU granica kratkotrajne izloženosti (STEL) od 740 g/m3 i to više puta tijekom radnog vremena. Ako se ovo uzme u obzir, 8-satno TWA mjerenje daje samo šture podatke o scenariju izloženosti vršnim emisijama i o 15-minutnim procjenama najviše izloženosti, dok bi kontinuirano praćenje više pomoglo upravljanju rizikom. Uz to, preporuka za FA jest korištenje inferencijalne jednadžbe Akcijska vrijednost (AV) za 8 h-TWA iznad 23.1 g/m3.
Sve do danas formaldehid (FA) često je korištena kemikalija a njegova je uporaba raširena diljem svijeta u različitim sektorima a naročito u kemijskim pogonima i zdravstvu. FA se mnogo koristi u ...raznim radnim postupcima radi svojih kemijskih i fizikalnih svojstava. Međutim, njegova toksičnost i karcinogeničnost predstavljaju opasnost po zdravlje radnika. Istraživanje izlaganja FA-u u radnom okružju predmet je zanimanja znanstvene zajednice i rezultira razvojem više analitičkih instrumenata kojima se utvrđuje njegov učinak na zdravlje nakon duljeg i kraćeg izlaganja.
U radu je predstavljen i opisan postupak za test ekvivalencije pomoću FA referentne metode 2.4 dinitrofenilhidrazin (DNPH) -aktivnim uzimanjem uzoraka i dva nereferentna instrumenta temeljena na kontinuiranom izravnom praćenju očitanja, ProCeas® (AP2E) i NEMo XT (Ethera). Korištena je sustav za FA standardnu kalibraciju kako bi se referentna metoda provjerila pomoću Pearsonovog testa. Zatim je napravljen Passing-Bablok test između nereferentnih metoda i DNPH metode za otkrivanje mogućih sistemskih i proporcionalnih pogrešaka, a na kraju je izrađen Bland-Altman grafikon za određivanje srednjeg odstupanja i varijacija u vrijednostima dobivenima referentnim i nereferentnim metodama uzorkovanja na terenu. Rezultati su pokazali dobru korelaciju između nereferentne metode i DNPH metoda, naznačujući moguće primjene u raznorodnim radnim uvjetima.
Estimation of the firing range is often critical for reconstructing gunshot fatalities, where the main measurable evidence is the gunshot residue (GSR). In the present study intermediate-range ...gunshot wounds have been analysed by means of a micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) coupled to an image analysis software in order to quantify the powder particles and to determine the firing distance. A total of 50 shootings were performed on skin sections obtained from human legs surgically amputated for medical reasons. For each tested distance (5, 15, 23, 30 and 40 cm), firing was carried out perpendicularly at the samples using a 7.65-mm pistol loaded with jacketed bullets. Uninjured skin sections were used as controls. By increasing the firing distance, micro-CT analysis demonstrated a clear decreasing trend in the mean GSR percentage, particularly for shots fired from more than 15 cm. For distances under 23 cm, the powder particles were concentrated on the epidermis and dermis around the hole, and inside the cavity; while, at greater distances, they were deposited only on the skin surface. Statistical analysis showed a nonlinear relationship between the amount of GSR deposits and the firing range, well explained by a Gaussian-like function. The proposed method allowed a good discrimination for all the tested distances, proving to be an objective, rapid and inexpensive tool for estimating the firing range in intermediate-range gunshot wounds.
Gunshot residue (GSR) evidence may be altered or obscured by after-death events such as putrefaction, autolysis, and/or damage by animals. The present study aimed at evaluating and comparing the ...amount and differential distribution of GSR utilizing microcomputed tomography (microCT) analysis of fresh and decomposed gunshot wounds. A total of 60 experimental shootings at three different firing distances (5, 15, and 30 cm) were performed on human calves surgically amputated for medical reasons. Thirty specimens (10 for each tested distance) were immediately formalin-fixed, while the other 30 specimens were enclosed in a cowshed for 15 days, before formalin fixation (air temperature ranging from 11°C to 38°C). MicroCT analysis with three-dimensional image reconstruction detected GSR particles in all the investigated entrance wounds. In fresh specimens, GSR was concentrated on the skin surface around the entrance hole and in the epidermis and dermis layers around the cavity, while in decomposed specimens, the high density particles were detected only in the dermis layer. No GSR was detected in exit wounds of both fresh and decomposed specimens regardless of the tested firing distance. Statistical analysis demonstrated that also in decomposed wounds the amount of GSR roughly correlated with the distance from which the gun was fired, exhibiting, however, a higher variability than in fresh samples. The obtained results suggest that microCT analysis can be a valid screening tool for differentiating decomposed entrance and exit gunshot wounds.
Incineration or extensive burning of the body, causing changes in the content and distribution of fluids, fixation and shrinking processes of tissues, can alter the typical macroscopic and ...microscopic characteristics of firearm wounds, hampering or at least complicating the reconstruction of gunshot fatalities. The present study aims at evaluating the potential role of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for detecting and quantifying gunshot residue (GSR) particles in experimentally produced intermediate-range gunshot wounds severely damaged by fire. Eighteen experimental shootings were performed on 18 sections of human calves surgically amputated for medical reasons at three different firing distances (5, 15 and 30 cm). Six stab wounds produced with an ice pick were used as controls. Each calf section underwent a charring cycle, being placed in a wood-burning stove for 4 min at a temperature of 400 °C. At visual inspection, the charred entrance wounds could not be differentiated from the exit lesions and the stab wounds. On the contrary, micro-CT analysis showed the presence of GSR particles in all burnt entrance gunshot wounds, while GSR was absent in the exit and stab wounds. The GSR deposits of the firearm lesions inflicted at very close distance (5 cm) were mainly constituted of huge particles (diameter >150 μm) with an irregular shape and well-delineated edges; at greater distances (15 and 30 cm), agglomerates of tiny radiopaque particles scattered in the epidermis and dermis layers were evident. Statistical analysis demonstrated that also in charred firearm wounds the amount of GSR roughly correlates with the distance from which the gun was fired. The obtained results suggest that micro-CT analysis can be a valid screening tool for identifying entrance gunshot wounds and for differentiating firearm wounds from sharp-force injuries in bodies severely damaged by fire.
