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Occupational Medicine 03/2013; 63(2):162. · 1.14 Impact Factor
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Manuela Ciarrocca,
Maria Valeria Rosati,
Francesco Tomei,
Assuntina Capozzella, Giorgia Andreozzi,
Gianfranco Tomei,
Alessandro Bacaloni,
Teodorico Casale,
Jean Claude Andrè,
Mario Fioravanti,
Maria Fernanda Cuartas,
Tiziana Caciari
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and specificity of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHPu) as a biomarker of the exposure from urban pollution to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) among outdoor workers in a meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis was performed according to standard methods, and the results show that the concentrations of 1-OHPu tend to be higher in exposed workers than in unexposed workers (if we exclude two highly heterogeneous articles), in exposed non-smokers than in unexposed non-smokers and in exposed than in unexposed workers who were carriers of the CYP1A1 genotype and in those with the glutathione-S-transferase M1 (-)genotype. These genotypes enhance the effect of exposure, particularly in non-smokers. Smoking reduces the differences between exposed and unexposed subjects. In conclusion, our results suggest that the use of the 1-OHPu biomarker appears to be reliable for studying occupational exposure to PAHs from urban pollution, as long as environmental and behavioural factors are considered.Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology advance online publication, 9 January 2013; doi:10.1038/jes.2012.111.
Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology 01/2013; · 2.93 Impact Factor
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Manuela Ciarrocca,
Gianfranco Tomei,
Maria Fiaschetti,
Tiziana Caciari,
Carlotta Cetica, Giorgia Andreozzi,
Assunta Capozzella,
Maria Pia Schifano,
Jean-Claude Andre,
Francesco Tomei,
Angela Sancini
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ABSTRACT: This is the first research study to compare among female, non-smoker workers: (a) the exposure to benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTXs) in urban air during work in the street (traffic policewomen, TP) vs. work in vehicles (police drivers, PD); (b) the exposure to BTXs in urban environments (in street and in car) vs. rural environments (roadwomen, RW); (c) the values of blood benzene, urinary trans, trans muconic acid (t,t-MA) and urinary S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA) in urban areas (in street and in car) vs. rural areas.
Passive personal samplings and data acquired using fixed monitoring stations located in different areas of the city were used to measure environmental and occupational exposure to BTXs during the work shift in 48 TP, 21 PD and 22 RW. In the same study subjects, blood benzene, t,t-MA and S-PMA were measured at the end of each work shift.
Personal exposure of urban workers to benzene seemed to be higher than the exposure measured by the fixed monitoring stations. Personal exposure to benzene and toluene was (a) similar among TP and PD and (b) higher among urban workers compared to rural workers. Personal exposure to xylenes was (a) higher in TP than in PD and (b) higher among urban workers compared to rural workers. Blood benzene, t,t-MA and S-PMA levels were similar among TP and PD, although the blood benzene level was significantly higher in urban workers compared to rural workers. In urban workers, airborne benzene and blood benzene levels were significantly correlated.
Benzene is a human carcinogen, and BTXs are potential reproductive toxins at low dose exposures. Biological and environmental monitoring to assess exposure to BTXs represents a preliminary and necessary tool for the implementation of preventive measures for female subjects working in outdoor environments.
Chemosphere 01/2012; 87(7):813-9. · 3.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: 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.
International Journal of Environmental Health Research 02/2011; 21(1):62-71. · 0.86 Impact Factor
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Angela Sancini,
Francesco Tomei,
Gianfranco Tomei,
Tiziana Caciari,
Valeria Di Giorgio,
Jean-Claude André,
Paola Palermo, Giorgia Andreozzi,
Nadia Nardone,
Maria Pia Schifano,
Maria Fiaschetti,
Carlotta Cetica,
Manuela Ciarrocca
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ABSTRACT: Air pollution represents a health risk for people living in urban environment. Urban air consists in a complex mixture of chemicals and carcinogens and its effects on health can be summarized in acute respiratory effects, neoplastic nonneoplastic (e.g. chronic bronchitis) chronic respiratory effects, and effects on other organs and systems. Air pollution may be defined according to origin of the phenomena that determine it: natural causes (natural fumes, decomposition, volcanic ash) or anthropogenic causes which are the result of human activities (industrial and civil emissions). Transport is the sector that more than others contributes to the deterioration of air quality in cities. In this context, in recent years, governments of the territory were asked to advance policies aimed at solving problems related to pollution. In consideration of the many effects on health caused by pollution it becomes necessary to know the risks from exposure to various environmental pollutants and to limit and control their effects. Many are the categories of "outdoor" workers, who daily serve the in urban environment: police, drivers, newsagents, etc.
Giornale italiano di medicina del lavoro ed ergonomia 34(2):187-96.
