In Frosinone's district there is a lot of attention for ex-exposed to asbestos problems. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the importance of synergy between AEA (ex-exposed to asbestos workers ...association) and the Health Service Unit (ASL) of Frosinone for timely diagnosis of professional diseases.
FVC test represents a preliminary test used to approach the 2nd diagnostic level of non invasive screening in occupational pneumopathy (DLCO, N2 wash out, closure volume). Quality, validity and ...ability to be replicated of the test in spirometry have been evaluated. Results have been examined by Fisher exact test and by linear regression analysis. It was possible to demonstrate the validity and reproducyibility of this simple, diagnostic and non invasive screening in Occupational Health.
In this paper preliminary results obtained by the application of a scheduled procedure for the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodular diseases in the medical surveillance of radiation workers ...are discussed. The study demonstrates the utility of the schedule in early diagnosis of thyroid cancer in medical surveillance of radiation protection.
Objectives: In an assessment of the risk of asbestos fibres release from asbestos cement materials, an important role is played by the assessment of the surface corrosion and by the disaggregation of ...asbestos cement. The aim of this work is to evaluate the differences among several methods used for the risk assessment that lead to a specific choice of abatement techniques. Methods: The state of deterioration of 40 asbestos cement roofs was evaluated using two priority assessment algorithms elaborated in Italy, the ‘pull-up test’ described by the Italian Organization for Standardization and the indicators described in the Italian legislation coupled with the observation of a small sample, taken from each roof, by a stereomicroscope. Results: The results obtained with the methods, proposed in this study, for the risk assessment of the decay of asbestos cement roofs show slight differences among them, only one deviates from the others in judgement on the state of conservation of the roof. Conclusions: It is very important to train the operator conducting the study since a completely subjectivity-free method does not exist. Whatever method is used will always be affected by the subjectivity linked to the competency and the training of the operator. Moreover, each method on its own cannot assess the risk of exposure to asbestos, but reliable assessment of asbestos-containing materials requires the use of more than one method, such as visual inspections, a pull-up test, and an assessment algorithm.
A cross-sectional study on 117 male former asbestos-cement workers was performed. The aims of the study were: evaluation of the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, measurement of pulmonary volumes, ...flows and DI(co) values, detection of asbestos-related diseases, and data collection for a medical follow-up of the participants. Medical examination included ECSC questionnaire, spirometry, DI(co) measurement and chest x-ray. Time since first exposure (latency) and duration of employment were used as exposure indices: participants were subdivided into three exposure groups, respectively for latency and duration of employment. For statistical analysis, multiple linear regression and logistic regression methods were applied; significance level was p < 0.05. In 28 participants abnormal DI(co) values (< 80% of predicted) were measured, 9 subjects (8%) had radiological asbestos-related abnormalities. Lower values of DI(co), after correcting for smoking, were observed in the third latency group of subjects; an increased risk of radiological asbestos-related abnormalities was observed in relation to the duration of employment and latency. This study confirmed DI(co) as an indicator of (asbestos-related) pulmonary interstitial disease.
PDF
