Occupational exposure to particulate matter and respiratory symptoms in Portuguese swine barn workers

Certain environmental conditions in animal and plant production have been associated with increased frequency in respiratory illnesses, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, in farmers occupationally exposed in swine production. The aim of this study was to characterize particulate matter (PM) contamination in seven Portuguese swine farms and determine the existence of clinical symptoms associated with asthma and other allergy diseases, utilizing the European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire. Environmental assessments were performed with portable direct-reading equipment, and PM contamination including five different sizes (PM0.5, PM1.0, PM2.5, PM5.0, PM10) was determined. The distribution of particle size showed the same trend in all swine farms, with high concentrations of particles with PM5 and PM10. Results from the questionnaire indicated a trend such that subjects with diagnosis of asthma were exposed to higher concentrations of PM with larger size (PM2.5, PM5, and PM10) while subjects with sneezing, runny nose, or stuffy nose without a cold or flu were exposed to higher concentrations of PM with smaller size (PM0.5 and PM1). Data indicate that inhalation of PM in swine farm workers is associated with increased frequency of respiratory illnesses.

Occupational exposure to toxigenic fungi from Aspergillus flavus complex

Bioaerosols are mainly composed of fungal particles, bacteria and plant spores, being fungi responsible for the release of VOCs and micotoxins into indoor environments. Aspergillus flavus is a common opportunistic pathogen causing human infections and is involved in the production of aflatoxin and other secondary metabolites associated with toxic and allergic reactions. Poultry workers are exposed to high concentrations of fungi and are therefore more prone to develop associated pathologies. To evaluate occupational exposure of the workers to Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxins, six animal production facilities were selected, including 10 buildings, from which indoor air samples and outdoor reference samples were obtained. Twenty-five duplicate samples were collected by two methodologies: impactation onto malt extract agar of 25L air samples using a Millipore Air Tester were used to evaluate quantitative (CFU/m3) and qualitative (species identification, whenever possible) sample composition; 300 L air samples collected with the Coriolis Air Sampler into phosphate–saline buffer were used to isolate DNA, following molecular identification of Aspergillus section flavi using nor-1 specific primers by real-time PCR.

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

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 workers.

Occupational exposure to particulate matter and fungi in a composting plant: case study in Portugal

The handling of waste can be responsible for occupational exposure to particles and fungi. The aim of this study was to characterize exposure to particles and fungi in a composting plant. Measurements of particulate matter were performed using portable direct-reading equipment. Air samples of 50L were collected through an impaction method with a flow rate of 140L/min onto malt extract agar supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.05%). Surfaces samples were also collected. All the samples were incubated at 27ºC for 5 to 7 days. Particulate matter data showed higher contamination for PM, and PM10 sizes. Aspergillus genus presents the highest air prevalence (90.6%). Aspergillus niger (32.6%), A. fumigatus (26.5%) and A. flavus (16.3%) were the most prevalent fungi in air sampling, and Mucor sp. (39.2%), Aspergillus niger (30.9%) and A. fumigatus (28.7%) were the most found in surfaces. the results obtained claim the attention to the need of further research.

Oral health in the family health strategy: a change of practices or semantics diversionism

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate public health dentistry practices of two different family health models. METHODS: Qualitative study conducted with data obtained from focus groups consisting of 58 dentists working in the Family Health Strategy for at least three years between August-October, 2006. The Paideia Family Health Approach was used in the city of Campinas and the Oral Health Initiative as part of the Family Health Strategy was implemented in the city of Curitiba, Southeastern and Southern Brazil, respectively. Data was analyzed using the hermeneutic-dialectic method. Analysis indicators were employed to indicate backwardness, stagnation or progress in oral health practices effective from the implementation of the strategies referred. The indicators used were: work process; interdisciplinary approach; territorialization; capacity building of human resources; health promotion practices; and responsiveness to users' demands. RESULTS: There was progress in user access to services, humanization of health care, patient welcoming and patient-provider relationship. The results related to health promotion practices, territorialization, interdisciplinary approach and resource capacity building indicated a need for technical and operational enhancements in both cities. CONCLUSIONS: Both models have brought about important advances in terms of increased access to services and humanization of health care. Universal access to oral health at all levels of complexity was not achieved in both cities studied. Local health managers and oral health program coordinators must bring more weight to bear in the arena that defines public policy priorities.

Occupational exposure to Aflatoxin B1 in Portuguese swine farms

In 1987, the International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that there was sufficient evidence for carcinogenicity of naturally occurring aflatoxins in humans. Regarding occupational exposure to this chemical agent, farmers and other agricultural workers present a higher risk due to airborne aflatoxin via inhalation of dust. This study was carried out in 7 swine farms located at the district of Lisbon, Portugal. Blood samples were collected from a total of 11 workers. In addition, a control group (n = 25) was included that conducted administrative tasks in an educational institution without any type of agricultural activity. Results obtained suggest that occupational exposure to AFB1 by inhalation occurs and represents an additional risk in this occupational setting that need to be recognized, assessed and, most important, prevented.

Alright: a distinctive pathway of change from the 18th century to the present day

The origins of the vast majority of the words we use in contemporary English go back as far as Old or Middle English. In contrast, alright and all right in their present-day application appear to be the result of a more recent evolution, as there is no evidence of their use, not even in the two-word form, in the published fiction before the 18th century. Furthermore, there are not in the research literature, at least to my knowledge, any previous linguistic studies on this specific subject matter. The present article is simply an attempt to describe the various processes of diachronic change that brought about the emergence of alright.

Exposure to fungi in cork: potential occupational hazard

Cork is a light, porous and impermeable material extracted from the bark of some trees. It is in manufacture of stoppers for wine bottles the main application of cork. It is estimated that the area occupied by cork oaks in the Iberian Peninsula is around 33% in Portugal and 23% in Spain. The world production of cork is focused in the south Europe, with Portugal being the most important producer followed by Spain. According to Companies Directory more than 100 manufactories from Portugal has their branch associated with the preparation and fabrication of cork. Cork workers are at risk for developing diseases of the respiratory tract such as occupational asthma and Suberosis, a form of pulmonary hypersensitivity due to repeated exposure to mouldy cork dust. In this review study papers from 2000 were analyzed to better understand which fungi species are associated with occupational disease in cork workers. The most prevalent fungi species in these workers that are associated with those occupational diseases are Penicilliumglabrum, Chrysoniliasitophila and Trichodermalongibrachiatum. Therefore, a specific knowledge about occupational exposure to fungi in the cork industry is the key to better understand the related diseases and to define preventive measures. Given the importance of this occupational setting in Portugal is essential to evaluate the combined exposure of fungi and particles and their metabolites. Further studies concerning exposure assessment to fungi and particles in the cork industry must be developed.

Fast growing fungi: a problem to be solved to achieve characterization of occupational exposure to fungi in cork industry

Chrysonilia sitophila is a common mould in cork industry and has been identified as a cause of IgE sensitization and occupational asthma. This fungal species have a fast growth rate that may inhibit others species’ growth causing underestimated data from characterization of occupational fungal exposure. Aiming to ascertain occupational exposure to fungi in cork industry, were analyzed papers from 2000 about the best air sampling method, to obtain quantification and identification of all airborne culturable fungi, besides the ones that have fast-growing rates. Impaction method don’t allows the collection of a representative air volume, because even with some media that restricts the growth of the colonies, in environments with higher fungal load, such as cork industry, the counting of the colonies is very difficult. Otherwise, impinger method permits the collection of a representative air volume, since we can make dilution of the collected volume. Besides culture methods that allows fungal identification trough macro- and micro-morphology, growth features, thermotolerance and ecological data, we can apply molecular biology with the impinger method, to detect the presence of non-viable particles and potential mycotoxin producers’ strains, and also to detect mycotoxins presence with ELISA or HPLC. Selection of the best air sampling method in each setting is crucial to achieve characterization of occupational exposure to fungi. Information about the prevalent fungal species in each setting and also the eventual fungal load it’s needed for a criterious selection.

Cytostatics occupational exposure: genotoxic effects assessment

The use of cytostatics drugs in anticancer therapy is increasing. Health care workers can be occupationally exposed to these drugs classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or teratogenic. Workers may be exposed to this drug, being in the hospital settings the main focus dwelled upon the pharmacy, and nursing personnel. Although the potential therapeutic benefits of hazardous drugs outweigh the risks of side effects for ill patients, exposed health care workers can have the same side effects with no therapeutic benefit. The exposure to these substances is epidemiologically linked to cancer and nuclear changes detected by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus test (CBMN). This method is extensively used in molecular epidemiology, since it determines several biomarkers of genotoxicity, such as micronuclei (MN), which are biomarkers of chromosomes breakage or loss, nucleoplasmic bridges (NPB), common biomarkers of chromosome rearrangement, poor repair and/or telomeres fusion, and nuclear buds (NBUD), biomarkers of elimination of amplified DNA.

Biomonitorization in hospital settings with cytostatics occupational exposure

Exposure in a hospital setting is normally due to the use of several antineoplastic drugs simultaneously. Nevertheless, the effects of such mixtures at the cell level and on human health in general are unpredictable and unique due to differences in practice of hospital oncology departments, in the number of patients, protection devices available, and the experience and safety procedures of medical staff. Health care workers who prepare or administer hazardous drugs or who work in areas where these drugs are used may be exposed to these agents in the air, on work surfaces, contaminated clothing, medical equipment, patient excreta, and other surfaces. These workers include specially pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and nursing personnel. Exposures may occur through inhalation resulting from aerosolization of powder or liquid during reconstitution and spillage taking place while preparing or administering to patients, through Cytokinesis-block micronucleus test (CBMN) is extensively used in biomonitoring, since it determines several biomarkers of genotoxicity, such as micronuclei (MN), which are biomarkers of chromosomes breakage or loss, nucleoplasmic bridges (NPB), common biomarkers of chromosome rearrangement, poor repair and/or telomeres fusion, and nuclear buds (NBUD), biomarkers of elimination of amplified DNA.

Application of alkaline comet assay in human biomonitoring for genotoxicity: a study on occupational exposure to cytostatics

The use of cytostatics drugs in anticancer therapy is increasing. Health care workers can be occupationally exposed to these drugs classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or teratogenic. Cytostatics drugs are a heterogeneous group of chemicals widely used in the treatment of cancer, nevertheless have been proved to be also mutagens, carcinogens and teratogens. Workers may be exposed to this drug, being in the hospital settings the main focus dwelled upon the pharmacy, and nursing personnel. Alkaline comet assay is one of the most promising short-term genotoxicity assays for human risk assessment, being recommended to monitor populations chronically exposed to genotoxic agents. DNA glycosylase (OGG1) represents the main mechanism of protecting the integrity of the human DNA with respect to 8-OHdG, the most well studied biomarker of oxidative damage.

Occupational exposure to particulate matter in 2 Portuguese waste-sorting units

Objectives - This study intended to characterize work environment contamination by particles in 2 waste-sorting plants. Material and Methods - Particles were measured by portable direct-reading equipment. Besides mass concentration in different sizes, data related with the number of particles concentration were also obtained. Results - Both sorting units showed the same distribution concerning the 2 exposure metrics: particulate matter 5 (PM5) and particulate matter 10 (PM10) reached the highest levels and 0.3 μm was the fraction with a higher number of particles. Unit B showed higher (p < 0.05) levels for both exposure metrics. For instance, in unit B the PM10 size is 9-fold higher than in unit A. In unit A, particulate matter values obtained in pre-sorting and in the sequential sorting cabinet were higher without ventilation working. Conclusions - Workers from both waste-sorting plants are exposed to particles. Particle counting provided additional information that is of extreme value for analyzing the health effects of particles since higher values of particles concentration were obtained in the smallest fraction.

Do fatigue, physical activity, handgrip strength and quality of life change between pre and post liver transplant?

Analisar: níveis de fadiga, força de preensão, HRQoL, níveis de actividade física. Será que se alteram em doentes PAF após o transplante de fígado? Dado que os níveis de actividade física se encontram abaixo dos valores mínimos recomendados deveria ser encontrada uma estratégia de aumento do tempo dispendido na actividade física leve a moderada idealmente no PRÉ TRANSPLANTE.

The Dark Side of Organizational Change: The Moderating Role of Political Behavior and Organizational Cynicism

Workplace aggression is a factor that shapes the interaction between individuals and their work environment and produces many undesirable outcomes, sometimes introducing heavy costs for organizations. Only through a comprehensive understanding of the genesis of workplace aggression is possible to develop strategies and interventions to minimize its nefarious effects. The existent body of knowledge has already identified several individual, situational and contextual antecedents of workplace aggression, although this is a research area where significant gaps occur and many issues were still not addressed Dupré and Barling (2006). According to Baron and Neuman (1998) one of these predictors is organizational change, since certain changes in the work environment (e.g., changes in management) can lead to increased aggression. This paper intends to contribute to workplace aggression research by studying its relationship with organizational change, considering a moderating role of political behaviors and organizational cynicism (Ammeter et al., 2002, Ferris et al., 2002). The literature review suggests that mediators and moderators that intervene in the relationships between workplace aggression and its antecedents are understudied topics. James (2005) sustains that organizational politics is related to cynicism and the empirical research of Miranda (2008) has identified leadership political behavior as an antecedent of cynicism but these two variables were not yet investigated regarding their relationship with workplace aggression. This investigation was operationalized using several scales including the Organizational Change Questionnaire-climate of change, processes, and readiness (Bouckenooghe, Devos and Broeck, 2009), a Workplace Aggression Scale (Vicente and D’Oliveira, 2008, 2009, 2010), an Organizational Cynicism Scale (Wanous, Reichers and Austin, 1994) and a Political Behavior Questionnaire (Yukl and Falbe, 1990). Participants representing a wide variety of jobs across many organizations were surveyed. The results of the study and its implications will be presented and discussed. This study contribution is also discussed in what concerns organizational change practices in organizations.