Differences in national legislation for the implementation of lead regulations included in the European directive for the protection of the health and safety of workers with occupational exposure to chemical agents (98/24/EC)

Occupational Risk Factors and the Relationship of Smoking with Anxiety and Depression

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relation of smoking with anxiety and depression in workers who were exposed to occupational risk factors. For this purpose, working time, smoking status, nicotine dependence, and respiratory functions of the workers who were exposed to physical and/or chemical harmful substances were evaluated and the presence of anxiety/depression was investigated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Male workers who were exposed to occupational risk factors such as solvents, heavy metals, and dust and visited the outpatient clinic for occupational diseases within a one-year period were included. Pulmonary Function Test and Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence were performed. Anxiety and depression statuses of the workers were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

RESULTS

The mean age of 665 male workers was 45 y (range, 38-48 y), and they were most commonly exposed to solvents (45.9%), followed by heavy metal fume/dust (20.9%). Of the workers, 252 (37.9%) had anxiety, 294 (44.2%) had depression, and 171 (25.7%) had both. More than half of the workers in each occupation/exposure group were smokers. Respiratory complaints were present in 34% of the workers. According to the regression analysis, the presence of respiratory system complaints was found to be a significant risk factor for anxiety, depression, and anxiety plus depression.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, smoking and anxiety/depression were found to be the conditions affecting more than half of the workers with occupational exposure.

Expatriates' Multiple Fears, from Terrorism to Working Conditions: Development of a Model

Companies’ internationalization appears to be fundamental in the current globalized and competitive environment and seems important not only for organizational success, but also for societal development and sustainability. On one hand, global business increases the demand for managers for international assignment. On the other hand, emergent fears, such as terrorism, seem to be developing around the world, enhancing the risk of expatriates’ potential health problems. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between the emergent concept of fear of expatriation with further workplace fears (economic crisis and dangerous working conditions) and with mental health problems. The study uses a quantitative design. Self-reported data were collected from 265 Italian expatriate workers assigned to both Italian and worldwide projects. Structural equation model analyses showed that fear of expatriation mediates the relationship of mental health with fear of economic crisis and with perceived dangerous working conditions. As expected, in addition to fear, worries of expatriation are also related to further fears. Although, the study is based on self-reports and the cross-sectional study design limits the possibility of making causal inferences, the new constructs introduced add to previous research.

Lead poisoning in children from townships in the vicinity of a lead-zinc mine in Kabwe, Zambia

Childhood lead poisoning is a serious public health concern worldwide. Blood lead levels exceeding 5 μg dL(-1) are considered elevated. In Kabwe, the capital of Zambia's Central Province, extensive Pb contamination of township soils in the vicinity of a Pb-Zn mine and posing serious health risk to children has been reported. We investigated BLLs in children under the age of 7 years in townships around the mine; where blood samples were collected and analyzed using an ICP-MS. All of the sampled children had BLLs exceeding 5 μg dL(-1). Children in these areas could be at serious risk of Pb toxicity as 18% of the sampled children in Chowa, 57% (Kasanda) and 25% (Makululu) had BLLs exceeding 65 μg dL(-1). Eight children had BLLs exceeding 150 μg dL(-1) with the maximum being 427.8 μg dL(-1). We recommend that medical intervention be commenced in the children with BLL exceeding 45 μg dL(-1).

Elevated blood lead levels and sources of exposure in the population of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo

The objective of this study was to determine blood lead levels (BLLs) and the possible sources of exposure in the population of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. A cross-sectional survey was carried out from January to May 2008 in a representative sample of the Kinshasan population. BLL was measured in 275 individuals (53.4% women) aged 1-70 years in the urban area of Kinshasa and from 60 additional subjects in the rural area. Pb was also determined in environmental specimens (air and soil, indoor and outdoor). BLL in the study population ranged from 2.9 to 49.3 μg/dl (median, 9.9 μg/dl). The median BLL among children aged <6 years was 11.5 μg/dl (range: 3.0-37.8 μg/dl). Of these children, 71% had elevated BLL (≥10 μg/dl) and 22% had BLL ≥20 μg/dl. The proportion of elevated BLL (≥10 μg/dl) was higher for children aged <3 years than for children aged 3 to 5 years (97% vs 56%). A higher prevalence of elevated BLL was observed in urban compared with rural children (71% vs 20%). Significantly higher BLLs were also found in children whose mother consumed fired clay during pregnancy. Residential informal activities in the recycling of car batteries also contributed to elevated BLL in children. The elevated background of Pb exposure in the Kinshasan population indicates a public health issue that requires corrective actions. Pb-contaminated dust and air in children's home is an issue of public health concern. The use of leaded gasoline and the activities of car battery recycling in certain residences appear to constitute the main sources of exposure in the city of Kinshasa. The traditional use of fired clay for the treatment of gastritis by pregnant women is another significant contributor for elevated BLL in children.

Effectiveness of the biological monitoring of chemical exposure in the workplace: results of a survey in an area of Northern Italy

A survey of biological monitoring results from 2000 to 2008 was carried out as a part of institutional activities performed by the Workplace Prevention and Safety Service (SPSAL) of the south area of Modena district (Italy). The survey involved 18 companies employing 945 workers altogether. According to workplace exposure, routine biological monitoring had been carried out yearly or 6-monthly in private laboratories chosen by each company. Analysis of consecutive data from six plants showed fluctuating biomarker levels inconsistent with expected occupational exposure and sometimes exceeding biological exposure indices. Surveillance samplings were thus organized for comparison to be carried out in a public reference laboratory. Overall results showed systematic underestimation of marker levels by the laboratories in charge of routine biomonitoring that, together with inappropriate biomarker selection and timing of sample collection, led to insufficient and/or ineffective corrective measures. These results raise major concerns on the reliability of laboratory assessments performed for the routine biomonitoring of exposed workers. Continuous surveillance of the consistency between biological and ambient monitoring data, together with the systematic evaluation of the analytical quality of laboratory results, would be essential for a reliable assessment of health risk in the workplace.

Lead--still a health threat for marksmen

OBJECT

Indoor shooting is a popular recreational activity all over the world. It is also a known source of exposure to lead fumes and dusts for the general, i.e. the non-occupationally exposed population. This study aimed at reporting the lead levels in blood of indoor shooters in Germany in association with personal behaviour at shooting ranges.

METHODS

Seven marksmen were examined via self-administered questionnaires. Lead level in blood (BLL) as well as airborne lead concentration (personal air sampling (PAS)) were detected.

RESULTS

All measured blood lead levels (median: 290 microglead/L; range: 240-450 microglead/L) exceeded the values of the German general population (50 microg/L). Shooters sweeping the range after training seemed especially exposed (PAS: 7.14 mglead/m3).

CONCLUSION

While extensive public effort is undertaken to prevent the general population from environmental lead exposure this short report gives reason to keep recreational shooting in mind when facing elevated blood lead levels or clinical symptoms possibly associated with lead intoxication.