Overweight and urban pollution: preliminary results

The aim of this study is to determine whether in workers exposed to urban pollution the risk of developing overweight and obesity is higher in workers exposed to urban pollution compared to a control group. The study was conducted on 150 volunteers, 75 workers exposed to urban pollution (50 women and 25 men) and 75 indoor workers (50 women and 25 men). Once measured the weight and height and calculated body mass index (BMI) for each worker, the research was based on the comparison, between the two groups, of the mean values of the measurements and of the frequency of workers with BMI index higher than the cut-off of normality. The only statistically significant difference found was for the mean value of weight in women, which was higher among outdoor workers compared to indoor workers. The mean values of BMI and the frequency of workers with BMI higher than normal was higher among outdoor workers compared to indoor workers in both sexes, but not statistically significant. The data suggest that outdoor workers may be subject to an additional risk of developing obesity as a result of exposure to urban air pollution (which, like obesity, is a source of oxidative stress). So, our preliminary study encourages to continue this line of research by implementing the sample and considering all the confounding factors. Furthermore, the results highlight the necessity to take account of gender differences in the context of health surveillance of workers.

Urinary hydroxypyrene and estradiol in an occupationally exposed "outdoor" population

BACKGROUND

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widely present in the air pollution. The urinary hydroxypyrene (1-HOPu) is considered the main biological biomarker currently available to measure the exposure to PAH. It is supposed responsible of an increase of estradiol levels in males. Aim of this study is to verify whether there is a relation between 1-HOPu and plasmatic estradiol in non-smoker male workers.

METHODS

The study was conducted on a sample of 122 non-smoker policemen in a large Italian city; we monitored their levels of 1-HOPu and the values of estradiol. The sample was divided into three groups according to the levels of urinary hydroxypyrene. The indices of correlation (r) and multiple linear regression (β), between levels of 1-HOPu and estradiol were calculated. It was also calculated the student's t-test among the groups to check the differences.

RESULTS

We found statistically significant correlations and multivariate linear regressions between 1-HOPu and estradiol in the total sample and in group III (levels of 1-HOPu above the 75th percentile). The average levels of estradiol in group III was statistically and significantly higher than in the group I (levels of 1-HOPu below the 25th percentile) and group II (levels 1-HOPu between 25th and the 75th percentile).

CONCLUSIONS

1-HOPu in non-smoker male workers is related with an increase of plasmatic estradiol. We believe that PAHs, of which 1-HOPu is the main biomarker, can interact with the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The preliminary results suggest that the topic needs further research on male and female as well.

[Asbestos risk: risk assessment and prevention]

Asbestos is a very relevant medical and social issue, because of its potential dangerous effects on human health. It's present indeed in different environments, because it was widely used in the past. Asbestos is classified as first-class carcinogen, and so labelled with R 45 risk phrase. Exposure to asbestos fibers (both occupational and not) can cause diseases involving mainly the respiratory system. We point out the methods for a correct assessment of the risk from asbestos, with particular reference to current legislation and to the main preventive measures that have to be taken in case of presence of asbestos in a building. A correct prevention has to be carried out through education and information of workers and the use of specific check-lists.

[Shift and night work and mental health]

Aim of our study was to evaluate the influence that shift work and night work could have on mental health. A review of literary articles from 1990 to 2011 on shift work and night work was carried out. The results of this review confirmed that the shift work and night work affect mental health with the onset of neuropsychological disorders such as mood disorders, anxiety, nervousness, depressive anxiety syndromes, chronic fatigue and chronic insomnia irritability, sleep disturbances, reduction in levels of attention, cognitive impairments, alteration of circadian rhythm. Night work and shift work cause severe desynchronization of the cronobiological rhythms and a disruption of social life with negative effects on performance at work, on health and on social relationships. In the light of these results and recognizing shift work and night work as risk factors for the health of workers is necessary to implement preventive and periodic health checks by the occupational doctor to ensure the health and safety of workers taking account of the different environmental and individual factors.

Follicle-stimulating hormone levels in female workers exposed to urban pollutants

The aim of this study was to evaluate if there were alterations in FSH plasma levels in female outdoor workers (traffic policewomen and drivers) exposed to chemical urban stressors vs. control group. After excluding subjects with main confounding factors, traffic policewomen, drivers and indoor workers were matched by age, working life, socioeconomic status, marital status, menstrual cycle day, age of menarche, habitual consumption of Italian coffee and soy. A total of 129 female subjects were included in the study: some 63 workers studied during proliferative phase and 66 during secretory phase of menstrual cycle. Proliferative phase of menstrual cycle: FSH mean values were significantly higher in traffic policewomen compared to controls (p < 0.05). Results suggest that in outdoor workers exposed to urban chemical stressors there are alterations in FSH levels; therefore FSH may be used as an early biological marker, valuable for the group, used in occupational set.

[Stress and new technologies]

The relation between stress and new technologies has always been a vexed question. Experts say technology is a sort of double-edged weapon; it increases the potential of human senses but on the other hand it also involves an adjustment to artificial, unnatural rhythms which have consequences on mental and physical health. Through tests with patients not too prone to socializing Cognitive Ergonomics shows that using web in a correct guided interactive way, instead of the passive way of using media, helps developing concentration and reactivity and improves the way we come into contact with the world around us.

Plasma cortisol concentrations and lifestyle in a population of outdoor workers

The aim of this study was to assess whether exposure to urban pollution in outdoor workers, may alter plasma cortisol concentrations also in relation to the effect of smoking and drinking habits. The research was carried out on 498 outdoor police workers, divided into three groups; Group A: traffic policemen (TP), Group B: drivers (D), Group C: Other duties (OD). To evaluate separately the effect of using alcohol and smoking, each group was divided into three subgroups: (1) non-smokers and non-drinkers, (2) smokers and non-drinkers, (3) non-smokers and drinkers. Our results show cortisol mean values were significantly higher in the TP group compared to the D and OD groups without significant differences between the last two groups. The results suggest that exposure to pollutants associated with urban psychosocial stress may play a more important role on plasma cortisol levels than smoking and alcohol.

[Urban stressors and thyroid hormones]

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study is to evaluate whether occupational exposure to urban stressors could cause alterations in thyroid hormones plasma levels (TSH, FT3 and FT4) in female outdoor workers vs. administrative.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study has been performed on an initial sample of 198 female subjects divided in two groups (occupationally exposed and not exposed to urban stressors). After excluding the subjects with the main confounding factors, female outdoor workers and administrative staff were matched by age, working life and drinking habit.

RESULTS

In 40 female outdoor workers mean plasma TSH levels were significantly higher compared to 40 administrative staff. The distribution of TSH values in outdoor workers and in administrative staff was significant. Plasma FT3 and FT4 levels were not significantly different in the two groups. Our results suggest that exposure to urban stressors (chemical, physical and psycho-social), can alter the plasma concentration of TSH.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our previous research, plasma TSH levels may be used as an early biological marker of chronic exposure to urban stressors, in occupational set even before the onset of the related disorders.

[Radon risk and prevention]

The chemical element Radon is the strongest source of natural ionizing radiations for men and it is responsible of some patologies, such as lungs cancer. The concentration of this gas in houses is in Italy on average 70-75 Bq/m3. Apart from a regulative first step, represented by the 2002 Radon National Plan, at the moment there are no specified rules regarding the risks of exposition to radon in general population. On the contrary, safeguarding workers exposed to natural sources of radiation, working places are regulated by legislative decrees. In order to carry out corrective actions in case of high rates, it is necessary to correctly measure the expositional levels both with active and passive instruments. The topical knowledge about radon and its effects urge us to take preventive and reductive measures, protecting the well-being if population.

[Cardiovascular parameters in workers exposed to urban pollutions]

The aim of the study is to evaluate if "outdoor" workers exposed to chemical, physical and psycho-social urban stressors could have alterations of systolic and diastolic blood pressure at rest and heart disease investigated by electrocardiogram compared with a group of "indoor" workers not exposed. Among non-smoking, the mean values of systolic blood pressure at rest were significantly higher in exposed compared to non exposed (p = 0.002) and frequency of electrocardiographic abnormalities was significantly higher in exposed (20.8%) than not exposed (10.4%, p = 0.02). Among exposed, the values of systolic blood pressure at rest were significantly higher in smokers than non-smokers (p = 0.002). Among non-exposed, the frequency of electrocardiographic abnormalities was significantly higher in smokers than non-smokers (p = 0.002). The study results suggest that chronic exposure to chemical, physical and psycho-social stressors can be a cardiovascular risk factor in addition to cigarette smoking in a manner determined by the categories of outdoor workers.