Cork stoppers industry: defining appropriate mould colonization

Aims: The main aims of this work were the study of cork slabs moulds colonization and the evaluation of the moulds diversity during cork processing steps, in different cork stoppers factories. Simultaneously, it was envisaged to perform an evaluation of the air quality. Methods and Results: Moulds were isolated and identified from cork slabs and cork samples in four cork stoppers factories. The identification was based on morphological characters and microscopic observation of the reproductive structures. Airborne spore dispersion was assessed using a two stage Andersen sampler. It was observed that Chrysonilia sitophila was always present on cork slabs during the maturing period, but mould diversity appeared to be associated to the different factory configurations and processing steps. Conclusions: Spatial separation of the different steps of the process, including physical separation of the maturation step, is essential to guarantee high air quality and appropriate cork slabs colonization, i.e. C. sitophila dominance. The sorting and cutting of the edges of cork slabs after boiling and before the maturing step is also recommended. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study is very important for the cork stopper industry as it gives clear indications on how to keep high quality manufacturing standards and how to avoid occupational health problems.

Genotoxic effects in occupational exposure to formaldehyde: A study in anatomy and pathology laboratories and formaldehyde-resins production

ABSTRACT – Background: According to the Report on Carcinogens, formaldehyde ranks 25th in the overall U.S. chemical production, with more than 5 million tons produced each year. Given its economic importance and widespread use, many people are exposed to formaldehyde environmentally and/or occupationally. Presently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies formaldehyde as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), based on sufficient evidence in humans and in experimental animals. Manyfold in vitro studies clearly indicated that formaldehyde can induce genotoxic effects in proliferating cultured mammalian cells. Furthermore, some in vivo studies have found changes in epithelial cells and in peripheral blood lymphocytes related to formaldehyde exposure. Methods: A study was carried out in Portugal, using 80 workers occupationally exposed to formaldehyde vapours: 30 workers from formaldehyde and formaldehyde-based resins production factory and 50 from 10 pathology and anatomy laboratories. A control group of 85 non-exposed subjects was considered. Exposure assessment was performed by applying simultaneously two techniques of air monitoring: NIOSH Method 2541 and Photo Ionization Detection equipment with simultaneously video recording. Evaluation of genotoxic effects was performed by application of micronucleus test in exfoliated epithelial cells from buccal mucosa and peripheral blood lymphocytes. Results: Time-weighted average concentrations not exceeded the reference value (0.75 ppm) in the two occupational settings studied. Ceiling concentrations, on the other hand, were higher than reference value (0.3 ppm) in both. The frequency of micronucleus in peripheral blood lymphocytes and in epithelial cells was significantly higher in both exposed groups than in the control group (p < 0.001). Moreover, the frequency of micronucleus in peripheral blood lymphocytes was significantly higher in the laboratories group than in the factory workers (p < 0.05). A moderate positive correlation was found between duration of occupational exposure to formaldehyde (years of exposure) and micronucleus frequency in peripheral blood lymphocytes (r = 0.401; p < 0.001) and in epithelial cells (r = 0.209; p < 0.01). Conclusions: The population studied is exposed to high peak concentrations of formaldehyde with a long-term exposure. These two aspects, cumulatively, can be the cause of the observed genotoxic endpoint effects. The association of these cytogenetic effects with formaldehyde exposure gives important information to risk assessment process and may also be used to assess health risks for exposed worker

Entre " A Cidade e as Serras" : o azulejo arte nova português no panorama artístico dos primorios do século XX

A presente dissertação debruça-se sobre o estudo do azulejo arte nova português, procurando relaciona-lo com o panorama artístico e cultural em vigor nos anos finais do século XIX e primeiros do século XX. O modo como o fenómeno da Arte Nova foi entendido em Portugal influenciará a interpretação que este terá ao nível do suporte azulejar, em particular no processo de “aportuguesamento” de muitos dos motivos e formas empregues, numa solução de compromisso entre uma necessidade de actualização estética e uma vontade de salvaguarda do que se considerava ser a essência da arte portuguesa, ligada a valores pitorescos e cenários ruralizantes. A compreensão do azulejo arte nova português implica igualmente uma análise da sua relação com a arquitectura coeva, com a qual este estabeleceu um diálogo de grande proximidade, bem como dos processos e técnicas utilizadas para o seu fabrico e de quais as principais fábricas responsáveis pela sua produção. A distribuição geográfica das composições artenovizantes pelo território nacional é outra das vertentes abordadas, devendo ainda salientar-se a questão da autoria, frequentemente dificultada pelo anonimato da maioria dos exemplares azulejares. Entre tradição e modernidade, cidade e campo, terra e mar, o azulejo arte nova português assume-se como um dos diversos fenómenos artísticos capazes de materializar as aspirações, mas também as contradições e anseios de um século que, tal como apontado por José-Augusto França, se definiu como o mais longo da História da Arte portuguesa.

Inclusion of disabled people in siemens AG'S energy management division

This work project is a business plan for a project regarding corporate social entrepreneurship that will be developed by Siemens Switchboard Factory in Corroios. The main purpose of this project is to understand the viability of a partnership between Siemens AG’s and CERCISA in order to include disabled people into Siemens AG’s Energy Management Division, with the goal of achieving social and economic impact by insources activities while complying with the law1. The produced output, a business plan, aims to study and understand the practical suitability and feasibility of the concepts and propose a sustainable project that can be replicated, starting with a pilot testing and validation period.

Avaliação do risco de LMEMSLT : aplicação dos métodos RULA e SI / Florentino , António de Sousa Uva

RESUMO - A frequente insuficiência de informação e até, eventualmente, a presença de elementos cientificamente pouco robustos (ou mesmo hipotéticos) no procedimento de obtenção dos resultados finais (scores) com os diversos métodos de avaliação do risco, julga-se determinar a obtenção de distintos resultados no mesmo posto de trabalho e que interessam analisar. O presente estudo foi efectuado numa empresa da indústria automóvel e pretendeu contribuir para a efectividade do processo de avaliação do risco destas lesões em meio industrial. Utilizaram-se como ponto de partida as classificações de risco em postos de trabalho onde a aplicação do método OCRA — base do projecto de norma Europeu prEN 1005-5 para a estimativa do risco de LMEMSLT (Lesões Musculoesqueléticas do Membro Superior Ligadas ao Trabalho) — identificou níveis de risco moderados e/ou elevados (score OCRA ≥ 16,5). Assim nos postos de trabalho (n = 71) registou-se em vídeo a actividade de trabalho. Analisaram-se os principais factores de risco (postura, força, repetitividade e exposição a vibrações) com uma amostragem de segundo em segundo e aplicaram-se dois métodos: 1) RULA (McAtamney; Corlett, 1993); 2) SI (Moore; Garg, 1995). Dos resultados globais da aplicação dos métodos identificam- se discrepâncias evidentes: o método SI classificou 41 postos de risco elevado e o método RULA classificou apenas 26 postos de risco. Destaque para as divergências entre os postos classificados de risco elevado como, por exemplo: de entre os 41 postos com scores de risco da aplicação do método SI apenas se encontram 12 postos classificados de risco pelo método RULA. Os resultados permitem evidenciar validades preditivas diversas para os factores de risco analisados: 1) situações de aplicação de força (SI = 0,80; RULA = 0,66); 2) presença de posturas extremas (SI = 0,68; RULA = 0,48); 3) repetitividade (SI = 0,35; RULA = 0,43). Conclui-se pela divergência de resultados dos métodos SI e RULA aplicados nos mesmos postos de trabalho que tal situação alerta para a pertinência da utilização de um filtro que permita a identificação dos factores de risco presentes em cada posto de trabalho e que, por consequência, oriente a selecção do método mais indicado ou ainda, em oposição, do método contra-indicado. Este trabalho, como um contributo para uma efectiva identificação e avaliação do risco de LMEMSLT, conduz, no limite, à necessidade de elaboração de uma «grelha» das «grelhas» e de informação mais precisa sobre os métodos e sua aplicação, permitindo, desse modo, uma mais efectiva gestão do risco destas lesões.

Portuguese footwear

This case study deals with the reasons why the Portuguese Footwear Cluster evolved from a small industry focused on the Portuguese internal market into a high-tech industry capable of designing and producing some of the best and most expensive shoes in the world. It went from using the low labor costs of an under-developed economy to produce long series of shoes for pre-designated brands in Northern Europe to having the ability to produce some of the highest quality shoes in the world, in small orders, designed and delivered in record timing, while offering a service of excellence. In 1960, when Portugal became a founding member of EFTA, the footwear industry in Portugal was globally irrelevant, producing low quality shoes directed to the puny internal market and its African colonies. The new free trade zone with economies much more developed that itself, led to the transfer of the labor-intensive, low skilled manufacture from the UK and Scandinavian countries to Portugal. Mostly through joint ventures, the industry was able to mechanize itself so it could produce shoes in long series at low prices. It grew based on that model up until the 1990s, when the emergence of the Asian countries meant either a different strategy or extinction. Taking advantage of a clarified leadership of its trade association, it used the European funds made available to it during the 1990s, to modernize its factory floors, so it could become more nimble and flexible, expand its design capabilities and dramatically change its image abroad. The role of the trade association, APICCAPS, was instrumental throughout the process going well beyond what came to be expected of trade associations. It used its privileged position to provide understanding regarding the current situation and competitive landscape, alerting for changes ahead and at the same time providing a strategic vision on how to deal with the challenges. Moreover, it helped companies get the resources they needed by creating a research center in collaboration with a University, by creating a process that allowed companies to learn from each other via the show casing of projects sponsored by the association or by helping industrials traveling to locations where new customers could be found. The case study provides insight on how the trade association leadership, which has no formal authority over its members, was able to guide and motivate an industry through a consistent positive approach. That approach focused on the solutions, on the opportunities and on the success stories of companies in the cluster rather than on what was wrong or needed to be addressed. Based on this case, one could use the leadership role of the trade association to discuss and change leaders’ roles and styles in other sectors or even companies.