Occupational exposure levels to benzene in Italy: findings from a national database

2011 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 617-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Scarselli ◽  
Alessandra Binazzi ◽  
Davide Di Marzio
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
National Database ◽  
Exposure Levels

scholarly journals Occupational exposure and markers of genetic damage, systemic inflammation and lung function: a Danish cross-sectional study among air force personnel

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Helena Guerra Andersen ◽  
Anne Thoustrup Saber ◽  
Marie Frederiksen ◽  
Per Axel Clausen ◽  
Camilla Sandal Sejbaek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Lung Function ◽  
Air Force ◽  
Systemic Inflammation ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Exposed Group ◽  
Exposure Level ◽  
Genetic Damage ◽  
Job Functions ◽  
Exposure Levels

AbstractAir force ground crew personnel are potentially exposed to fuels and lubricants, as raw materials, vapours and combustion exhaust emissions, during operation and maintenance of aircrafts. This study investigated exposure levels and biomarkers of effects for employees at a Danish air force military base. We enrolled self-reported healthy and non-smoking employees (n = 79) and grouped them by exposure based on job function, considered to be potentially exposed (aircraft engineers, crew chiefs, fuel operators and munition specialists) or as reference group with minimal occupational exposure (avionics and office workers). We measured exposure levels to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organophosphate esters (OPEs) by silicone bands and skin wipes (PAHs only) as well as urinary excretion of PAH metabolites (OH-PAHs). Additionally, we assessed exposure levels of ultrafine particles (UFPs) in the breathing zone for specific job functions. As biomarkers of effect, we assessed lung function, plasma levels of acute phase inflammatory markers, and genetic damage levels in peripheral blood cells. Exposure levels of total PAHs, OPEs and OH-PAHs did not differ between exposure groups or job functions, with low correlations between PAHs in different matrices. Among the measured job functions, the UFP levels were higher for the crew chiefs. The exposure level of the PAH fluorene was significantly higher for the exposed group than the reference group (15.9 ± 23.7 ng/g per 24 h vs 5.28 ± 7.87 ng/g per 24 h, p = 0.007), as was the OPE triphenyl phosphate (305 ± 606 vs 19.7 ± 33.8 ng/g per 24 h, p = 0.011). The OPE tris(1,3-dichlor-2-propyl)phosphate had a higher mean in the exposed group (60.7 ± 135 ng/g per 24 h) compared to the reference group (8.89 ± 15.7 ng/g per 24 h) but did not reach significance. No evidence of effects for biomarkers of systemic inflammation, genetic damage or lung function was found. Overall, our biomonitoring study show limited evidence of occupational exposure of air force ground crew personnel to UFPs, PAHs and OPEs. Furthermore, the OH-PAHs and the assessed biomarkers of early biological effects did not differ between exposed and reference groups.

DNA effects of low level occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (50/60 Hz)

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 424-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rezvan Zendehdel ◽  
Il Je Yu ◽  
Behnam Hajipour-Verdom ◽  
Zahra Panjali
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Tail Moment ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Extremely Low Frequency ◽  
Exposed Population ◽  
Exposure Levels

Aims: Exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) occurs from natural and artificial sources. Although ELF-MF has been classified as a suspected humans carcinogen agent by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, little is known of the effects of ELF-MF at lower exposure levels of the recommended range. In the present study, DNA damage in the peripheral blood cells of power line workers was investigated. Materials and Methods: Occupational exposure to ELF-MF in a power plant was measured using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) manual. Single-strand breaks (SSBs) in DNA were evaluated in 29 male utility workers as the exposed population and 28 male support personnel as the control subjects using the comet assay. Effects of ELF-MF on subjects were evaluated using DNA percent in tails, tail length, olive length, and tail moment. Results: Occupational exposure levels to ELF-MF in the utility workers were less than the threshold limit values (TLV) recommended by the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH). The median value of the magnetic field at the working sites was 0.85 µT. Induction of DNA damage was observed for the exposed workers compared with the controls. Olive length, tail moment, and tail DNA percent increased significantly ( p < 0.05) in the utility workers. Conclusions: Exposure to ELF-MF at levels less than the ACGIH exposure limit can produce DNA strand breaks.

Occupational exposure levels of static magnetic field during routine MRI examination in 3 T MR system

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachiko Yamaguchi-Sekino ◽  
Toshiharu Nakai ◽  
Shinya Imai ◽  
Shuhei Izawa ◽  
Tsutomu Okuno
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Static Magnetic Field ◽  
Mri Examination ◽  
Exposure Levels

scholarly journals Assessment of Potential Health Risks of Portuguese Wildland Firefighters’ Occupational Exposure: Biomonitoring Approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filipa Esteves ◽  
Joana Madureira ◽  
João Paulo Teixeira ◽  
Solange Costa
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Oxidative Dna Damage ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Early Effect ◽  
Toxic Compounds ◽  
Exposure Levels ◽  
Risk Of Cancer

Introduction:Worldwide, forest fires are among the most common forms of natural disasters. In the closing years of the last century there was an increase of the burned area in some parts of the globe, including in Europe. Portugal has been particularly affected by large forest fires and megafires, which have been occurred mainly in the central and northern regions. The proximity of firefighters to fire exposes them to high levels of toxic compounds making this occupation one of the most dangerous and leading International Agency for Research on Cancer to classified occupational firefighting activity as possibly carcinogenic to humans. Up to date, the existing studies are mainly focused on environmental monitoring, existing limited information regarding biomonitoring assessments during real scenarios of wildland fires combat. This study aims to evaluate the impact of firefighting occupational exposure at molecular and cellular levels, considering personal exposure levels. Early-effect biomarkers (e.g., micronucleus, DNA strand breaks and oxidative DNA damage) will be analyzed in order to understand the mechanisms of action through which woodsmoke may impact firefighters’ health, including the risk of cancer. Methodology:This ongoing prospective longitudinal study will comprise three different stages, specifically pre-exposure, exposure, and post-exposure to fire season. Around 200 wildland northern Portuguese firefighters will be involved in this study. Characterization of the study population will be conducted via questionnaires. Firefighters’ personal exposurelevels will be assessed by means of metabolites in exhaled breath, using an artificial olfactory system (e-nose technology). Buccal and urine samples will be used to measure genomic instability through micronucleus test in buccal epithelial cells and urothelial cells. DNA damage and oxidative DNA damage will be evaluated in peripheral blood lymphocytes using the comet assay. Statistical analysis will be performed to determine the relationship between personal exposure levels to toxic compounds and the early-effect biomarkers over the three different phases of the study. Expected results: The obtained results will support a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of occupational risks among wildland firefighters, crucial to prevent/reduce the associated health impacts. This work will contribute tothe establishment of recommendations/good practices to improve firefighters’ working conditions, allowing better definitions of policies and prevention strategies highly needed in this sector.

Vibration Exposure Safety Guidelines for Surgeons Using Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaowen Wu ◽  
Stephen Laswell ◽  
James A Mentz ◽  
Rolando Morales
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Surgical Instruments ◽  
Vibration Exposure ◽  
Data Logger ◽  
Vibration Data ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Vibration Magnitude ◽  
Exposure Levels ◽  
Safety Limit ◽  
Safety Guidelines

Abstract Background As power-assisted liposuction (PAL) gains popular use, plastic surgeons operating these devices experience occupational exposure to hand-transmitted vibration, which can result in Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), a debilitating neurovasculopathy. Objectives The objective of the study is to determine vibration exposure from the use of a PAL device during surgery in order to generate recommendations for safe use. Methods Vibration emission of a commonly used PAL system (MicroAire-650: Surgical Instruments) was examined using a vibration data logger under both controlled laboratory conditions and during 13 typical liposuction cases. Data were analysed and compared with established safety limits of vibration exposure. Results The experiments demonstrated a mean vibration magnitude of typical liposuction surgeries to be 5.69 ± 0.77 m/s2 (range 4.59 - 6.27 m/s2), which is significantly higher than the manufacturer declared value of 3.77 m/s2. Cannula size was shown to be the most significant contributor to vibration magnitude, with larger cannulas causing more vibration transmission. Conclusions These results indicate that recommendations must be made to prevent undue occupational exposure to vibration from PAL. The MicroAire-650 can generally be safely used for less than 1.5 hours per day. At exposure levels greater than 1.5 hours per day, there is increased risk of developing vibration-related injuries, and vibration reducing strategies should be implemented. At exposure levels greater than 6 hours per day, the safety limit is exceeded and there is significantly increased risk of developing HAVS and vibration exposure should be halted.

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