RESUMEN
In 2005, the Italian System for Surveillance of Acute Pesticide-Related Illnesses (SIAF) identified 625 cases, among which 520 unintentionally exposed. The majority of these subjects were men (75%) and aged 26-65 years (65%). About 63% of all exposures occurred at work. Severity for these illnesses was low for 94% and moderate for 5%. Four cases were classified as illnesses of high severity. Some 70% of all the reported exposures occurred between May and September. The active ingredients responsible for the largest number of cases were: glyphosate (n. 56), copper sulphate (n. 55), methomyl (n. = 52), metam-sodium (n. 24). Three episodes of collective environmental exposure to soil fumigants involving 23 subjects were also detected.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Profesionales/inducido químicamente , Plaguicidas/efectos adversos , Vigilancia de la Población , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Italia , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
In the present paper is presented the surveillance system for pesticide-related illnesses proposed by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Through the collaboration of local or regional poison control centres and local health departments with public hospitals and emergency departments, cases of acute pesticide-related illnesses among persons seeking health care will be registered according to standard procedures. Data collected locally will be transmitted to the Istituto Superiore di Sanità for registration and evaluation of the association between symptoms and type of exposure and for severity of illnesses related to pesticide exposure. These data will be analysed at regular intervals in order to estimate the magnitude of the problem of acute pesticide-related illnesses in Italy and to identify priority areas for implementing public health prevention and intervention programs.
Asunto(s)
Plaguicidas/envenenamiento , Vigilancia de la Población , Enfermedad Aguda , Humanos , ItaliaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Cancer risk among women engaged in farming has been poorly investigated. This group of female workers is of particular interest, however, since they may experience exposure to several potential agricultural hazards. METHODS: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in five Italian rural areas to examine the association between cancer and farming among women. The areas selected were located in three different regions (i.e., Piedmont, Tuscany, and Emilia-Romagna). The following cancer sites were selected for the study: stomach, colon, rectum, lung, skin melanoma, skin non-melanoma, breast, cervix and corpus uteri, ovary, bladder, kidney. Cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were also included. Altogether, 1,044 newly diagnosed cases aged 20-75 years were ascertained from hospital records from March 1990 to September 1992, and for 945 of them detailed information was collected by a standard questionnaire. The analyses of data were performed comparing each case series to a reference group drawn from among the other sites. Unconditional logistic regression models were used in the statistical analyses. RESULTS: Statistically significant increased risks in association with farming were estimated for skin melanoma (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2-5.8) and bladder cancer (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2-6.1). Lung cancer was also found increased but not at a statistically significant level (OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.7-4.4). An OR lower than unity was observed for postmenopausal breast cancer (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.3-0.7). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that women in farming might experience increased risk of cancers, not usually found in excess among male farmers, as well as a protective effect for postmenopausal breast cancer. The role of different patterns of exposure or gender specific responses should be considered in further studies.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades de los Trabajadores Agrícolas/epidemiología , Neoplasias/epidemiología , Salud de la Mujer , Adulto , Anciano , Enfermedades de los Trabajadores Agrícolas/etiología , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Femenino , Humanos , Italia/epidemiología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Neoplasias/etiología , Factores de Riesgo , Factores Sexuales , Estadística como AsuntoRESUMEN
A cohort study was conducted to evaluate the mortality pattern among female and male workers in a cigarette factory. The study followed 972 female workers and 761 male workers with at least 6 months of cumulative employment from 1 January 1962 through 1 July 1996. Among women, mortality from all causes of death [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 0.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.8-1.1] and mortality from all malignant neoplasms (SMR = 1.1; CI = 0.9-1.3) were consistent with reference rates. Male workers had a significantly reduced overall mortality (SMR = 0.8; CI = 0.7-0.9), while mortality from all malignant neoplasms was as expected (SMR = 0.9; CI = 0.7-1.0). Among female workers the frequencies of deaths from diseases of nervous system (SMR = 2.0; CI = 1.1-3.4) and from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) (SMR = 2.7; CI = 1.0-5.6) were elevated at a statistically significant level. No association between duration of employment and diseases of nervous system was observed. A higher risk for NHL, based on three deaths, was reported among female workers with 15 or more years of employment (SMR = 8.1; CI = 2.2-21.0). Although based on small numbers, the excess of NHL here reported suggests that potential exposure to foliar residues of pesticides should be thoroughly considered in tobacco manufacturing.
Asunto(s)
Linfoma no Hodgkin/mortalidad , Enfermedades Profesionales/mortalidad , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Residuos de Plaguicidas/efectos adversos , Tetraclorvinfos/efectos adversos , Industria del Tabaco/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Causas de Muerte , Estudios de Cohortes , Femenino , Humanos , Italia/epidemiología , Linfoma no Hodgkin/inducido químicamente , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermedades Profesionales/inducido químicamenteRESUMEN
The cause-specific mortality experience of a cohort inclusive of all subjects compensated for asbestosis in Italy (altogether 3417 persons--2776 men and 641 women), was studied from 31.12.1979 through 30.6.1990. Forty-eight subjects, corresponding to 1.4% of the cohort, were lost to follow-up, while it was not possible to ascertain the cause of death of 78 subjects, corresponding to 6.9% of the deceased. Observed mortality was compared with expected figures, derived from the Italian population mortality rates. The study showed significant increases in mortality from all causes (SMR 153, 1134 obs), respiratory disease (SMR 388, 218 obs), all neoplasms (SMR 192, 438 obs), namely lung (SMR 289, 190 obs), pleura (SMR 2745, 34 obs), peritoneum (SMR 1372, 14 obs), intestine and rectum (SMR 186, 36 obs) and ovary (SMR 545, 6 obs). A significantly decreased mortality was observed for cardiovascular disease (SMR 85, 266 obs), diabetes (SMR 37, 8 obs) and disease of the nervous system (SMR 29, 3 obs). The increase in neoplasms of lung, pleura and peritoneum was significant in both genders, while the increase in intestinal neoplasms was significant among women but not among men. Exposure in the manufacture of asbestos-cement products, the shipbuilding and textile industries accounted for most of the observed mortality excess.
Asunto(s)
Asbestosis/mortalidad , Beneficios del Seguro , Seguro por Discapacidad , Asbestosis/complicaciones , Causas de Muerte , Femenino , Humanos , Italia/epidemiología , Masculino , Neoplasias/etiología , Neoplasias/mortalidad , Distribución por SexoRESUMEN
In order to provide estimates of the accuracy of death certification of malignant pleural mesothelioma in Italy, the causes of death of a series of ascertained cases were investigated. The study included 523 cases of pleural mesothelioma diagnosed in 1984-1988 by 88 hospital departments and clinics. Vital status at 7 May 1990 was ascertained for 92.7% of subjects. The overall concordance between pathological diagnosis and death certification was about 75%.
Asunto(s)
Certificado de Defunción , Mesotelioma/mortalidad , Neoplasias Pleurales/mortalidad , Adulto , Anciano , Causas de Muerte , Femenino , Humanos , Italia/epidemiología , Masculino , Mesotelioma/patología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Neoplasias Pleurales/patología , Sistema de Registros , Reproducibilidad de los ResultadosRESUMEN
A crop exposure matrix (CEM) was developed in the context of two Italian case-control studies. The CEM relates agricultural practices to pesticide exposures taking into account change over time and the use of chemicals by geographical area for farming. The matrix is specific to 14 areas and to 10 major crops. The exposure axis is made up of 440 chemicals used in the last 40 years in the areas of interest. In the matrix the association between crop growing and pesticides is expressed in terms of presence or absence of exposure. Accuracy of the matrix was initially evaluated using 26 occupational histories collected within the two case-control studies. Sensitivity and specificity of CEM for some compounds were estimated versus assessment of exposure by experts. Sensitivity ranges from 83.3% to 100%, specificity from 66.2% to 95.8% depending on the chemicals.
Asunto(s)
Agricultura , Plaguicidas , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Humanos , Italia , Estadística como AsuntoRESUMEN
Mortality from malignant pleural neoplasms in Italy, 1980-87, was studied in order to detect areas at risk. The number of observed deaths occurring in each of the 8000 Italian municipalities was contrasted to the expected figure obtained from regional and/or national rates; whenever a significant increase, based on at least three observed cases, was detected, the municipality was included in the study. The main findings in Piedmont concern the city of Casale Monferrato, where an important asbestos cement factory is located, and some areas characterized by the presence of the textile industry. Genoa and other harbours of the northwestern coast, where important shipyards are located, were detected. In Lombardy an increased in risk concerning women was observed in several municipalities. Major increases in risk were seen in Venice. Trieste and Monfalcone, where important shipyards are located. In Tuscany, the highest risk was reported in Leghorn and surrounding areas; naval industry and chemical industries should be considered. In southern Italy, several cities with industrial harbours were shown to be at risk.