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1

Anosmia after exposure to a pyrethrin-based insecticide: A case report

100%

Gobba F. , Abbacchini C.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2012

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tom 25

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nr 4

506-512

EN

We present the case of a subject developing anosmia, preceded by nasal transient irritation and short lasting phantosmia and torqosmia, upon re-entrance into a room treated with a pyrethrin-based insecticide. The concentration of the insecticide in the room is unknown, but relatively high levels are predicted basing upon the modality of exposure and by the irritation symptoms in the subject. Despite corticosteroids therapy, anosmia has persisted unmodifi ed for more than three years; according to, and based on evidence in the literature on olfactory disturbance prognosis, anosmia in this patient is likely to be permanent. The signifi cance of this case report is related to the current wide use of insecticides containing pyrethrin and pyrethroids and highlights the need for more adequate attention to lowering airborne concentrations of pyrethrins and pyrethroids prior to re-entering the treated rooms. In particular, in a closed space sprayed with pyrethrins and pyrethroids insecticide, any irritant symptoms and/or dysosmia should be immediately considered relevant warning signs, and must be avoided.

2

Menometrorrhagia in magnetic resonance imaging operators with copper intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDS): A case report

70%

Gobba F. , Bianchi N. , Verga P. , Contessa G. M. , Rossi P.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2012

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tom 25

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nr 1

97-102

EN

The paper describes the cases of 3 female health operators with implanted copper IUDs, developing menometrorrhagia some months after an increase of the working time in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Unit (1.5 T), that progressively disappeared when the previous organization, involving discontinuous work shifts at MRI, was re-established. No known factors possibly related to menometrorrhagia were evidenced in the 3 operators, supporting the hypothesis of a role of the exposure to the electromagnetic fields (EMF) induced by the MRI system in symptoms induction. The possible mechanism remains unsettled, but menometrorrhagia might be triggered by a phlogistic stimulus caused by EMF, possibly the lowfrequency currents induced in the wires of the IUD during the movements of the operator inside the static magnetic field generated by the MRI permanent magnet. Until now, the problem of possible interactions between copper IUDs and EMF induced by MRI has been considered in patients undergoing imaging, but the possible risk in MRI Units operators has been largely neglected. To our knowledge, the occurrence of menometrorrhagia is not routinely checked in health surveillance of MRI operators, so these symptoms can pass unnoticed, especially if they are transitory. Therefore, underreporting is rather possible. The cases described here support the need for further research on this topic, especially considering the progressive diffusion of more powerful MRI scanners (3 T and more), and of the interventional magnetic resonance imaging, both potentially involving higher EMF exposures, and a large number of MRI female operators, possibly using IUDs. The possibility that MRI operators with implanted metallic IUDs can be included in the group of “workers at particular risk” according to the EU Directive 2004/40/EC should be considered.

3

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the Northern Italy population before the COVID-19 second wave

41%

Berselli N. , Filippini T. , Paduano S. , Malavolti M. , Modenese A. , Gobba F. , Borella P. , Marchesi I. , Vivoli R. , Perlini P. , Bellucci R. , Bargellini A. , Vinceti M.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2021

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tom 35

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nr 1

63-74

EN

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic is due to SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infections. It swept across the world in the spring of 2020, and so far it has caused a huge number of hospitalizations and deaths. In the present study, the authors investigated serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence in the period of June 1–September 25, 2020, in 7561 subjects in Modena, Northern Italy.Material and MethodsThe study population included 5454 workers referred to testing by their companies, and 2107 residents in the Modena area who accessed testing through self-referral.ResultsThe authors found the overall seroprevalence to be 4.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.2–5.2%), which was higher in women (5.4%, 95% CI: 4.5–6.2%) than in men (4.3%, 95% CI: 3.7–4.9%), and in the oldest age groups (7.3%, 95% CI: 5.2–9.3% for persons aged 60–69 years, and 11.8%, 95% CI: 8.6–15.1%, for persons aged ≥70 years). Among the occupational categories, the highest seroprevalence was found in healthcare workers (8.8%, 95% CI: 7.0–10.5%), dealers and vehicle repairers (5.2%, 95% CI: 2.9–7.6%), and workers in the sports sector (4.0%, 95% CI: 1.8–6.1%), while there was little or no such evidence for those employed in sectors such as transport and storage, accommodation and restaurant services, and the school system. Conclusions: These results have allowed, for the first time, to assess population seroprevalence in this area of Italy severely hit by the epidemic, while at the same time identifying the subgroups at a higher risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

4

Ethnic background and risk perception in construction workers: development and validation of an exploratory tool

41%

Ricci F. , Modenese A. , Bravo G. , De Pasquale F. , Ferrari D. , Bello M. , Carozza L. , Longhi F. , Favero G. , Soddu S. , Gobba F.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2019

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tom 33

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nr 2

163-172

EN

ObjectivesAmong occupational sectors, construction is still one of the branches with the highest reported numbers of work-related injuries and diseases, which can even lead to death and in many cases induce permanent health consequences. The vast majority of these occupational injuries and diseases are preventable; accordingly, an improvement in preventive strategies, also through a better knowledge of the main factors involved in these events, is one of the most important objectives for better occupational health and safety in the construction sector. Considering the individual factors associated with a higher risk of work-related adverse health effects in workers, an inadequate perception of occupational risks is among the most relevant issues. Risk perception can vary according to different cultural backgrounds, highly influenced by ethnicity, and it affects the relations between workers in the work environment, and the way by with they undergo the specific occupational tasks and manage risky situations frequently occurring on construction sites. Accordingly, the aim of the authors was to develop a new tool for the assessment of risk perception in construction workers with different ethnic backgrounds.Material and MethodsA team of health and safety experts involved in the training of construction workers from various ethnic backgrounds and in different regions of Italy developed and validated a questionnaire-based tool for the evaluation of their risk perception. Furthermore, through a factor analysis, a reference model defining various dimensions of occupational risk perception, relevant for the different ethnicities, was identified.ResultsThe final tool included 12 items aimed to assess the associations between the ethnic background and occupational risk perception of construction workers. The authors identified 4 relevant dimensions: behavioral control, work conditions, safety climate and personal attitude.ConclusionsThe proposed tool should be considered to explore the appropriate ways for the development of effective preventive strategies for construction workers with different ethnic backgrounds in Italy.