Abstract: The aim of this work has been to determine the occupational exposure to the biological agents and airborne dust in a sewage treatment plant in south Italy. The air samplings were performed in a sewage treatment plant in Calabria, in two different seasons (spring and summer) at 5 sites associated with various phases of sewage treatment process. In addition we have estimated the concentration of airborne endotoxins and PNOC (Particles Not Otherwise Classified) by using personal samplers. The results showed a significant variation in exposure to bioaerosols, endotoxins and PNOC depending on the sampling season: the PNOC concentration increase as much as the endotoxins concentration in spring and decrease in summer
Abstract: The operating room is a complex environment, traditionally considered at high infectious risk, for both the patients and the health care workers, they can contract diseases, because of the exposure for relatively long times to various dangerous chemical, physical and biological factors. The biological contamination in the operating rooms is mostly imputable to airborne and bloodborne microorganisms, whose primary source represent the staff: patients and operating team, while either secondary sources are the contaminate air introduced from the VCCC system and the use of the infect instruments. About 10% of the hospital infections are determined by airborne bacteria and a variable fraction of these, not only in immunocompromised patients but also in healthy people, may cause the respirators pathologies. The aim of this paper was to estimate the microbial contamination, in 20 hospitals located in three regions of the South Italy, for a total 81 operating rooms. The results show that 17 of the 20 operating units and 45 out of 81 operating rooms examined are contaminated. Periodic inspections should be carried out in order to control and lower the biological risk for both the patients and the health care workers.
Abstract: The International Agency for Research on Cancer RC) has classified wood dust as carcinogenic to humans based on demiological and experimental evidence. Exposure to wood dust may use respiratory and dermal symptoms and diseases. The aim of this work was to estimate occupational exposure to inhalable wood dust adopting the formal procedure described by UNI EN 689/97. The exposure of 23 workers in three different working day was measured. In total, 69 personal air samplings were carried out at five wood working factories. Inhalable fraction of airborne dust was collected on 5 microm pore size, 25 mm diameter PVC filters utilizing the IOM samplers. The quantity of the wood dust was determined with gravimetric method. The results show that about 13% of the exposure values exceed the limit of 5 mg/m3 specified by the Italian Law Decree 66/2000 and about 48% of personal exposures are lower then the limit value. Prevention measures, technological solutions and personal protection equipment should be adopted in order to reduce worker's exposure.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Mount Reventino, a massif located in the Calabria Region of Italy, has several ophiolite outcrops of greenstone. These deposits are an important economical resource in the surrounding area. Some rock layers contain tremolite, a type of asbestos fibre. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper was to analyze the chemical and physical structure of the outcrops of Mount Reventino, and to assess and reduce the risk to workers associated with exposure to airborne fibres. METHODS: Personal and environmental samples were collected and analysed by Scanning Electron Microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. RESULTS: The analysis of samples showed a difference in mineralogical features not only between the quarries under study, but also between the two opposite sides of the mountain. Exploitation of the quarries produces a fibre dispersion that is higher than the natural emission. Occupational exposure to asbestos fibres during greenstone transformation was confirmed by by the results of analysis of the collected samples. CONCLUSIONS: This study made it possible to identify working activities with highest exposure to asbestos and establish the correct procedures to abate fibre dispersion, in order to reduce the correlated risk. Environmental samples collected in the urban area surrounding the quarries showed that the asbestos fibre concentrations were very low, however, further studies are needed in order to confirm these findings.
