Forest fires in Northern region of Portugal: impact on PM levels

Every year European citizens become victims of devastating fires, which are especially disastrous for Southern European countries. Apart from the numerous health and economic consequences, fires generate hazardous pollutants that are introduced into the environment, thus representing serious risks for public health. In that regard, particulate matter (PM) is of amajor concern. Thus, the objectives of thisworkwere to characterize the trend of forest fire occurrences and burnt area during the period of 2005 and 2010 and to study the influence of forest fires on levels of particulatematter PM10 and PM2.5. In 2010, 22,026 forest fires occurred in Portugal. The northern region was the most affected by forest fires, with 27% of occurrences in Oporto district. The annual means of PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations at two urban background sites were 25��14 ��g m���3 and 8.2��4.9 ��g m���3, and 17��13 ��g m���3 and 7.3��5.9 ��g m���3, respectively. At both sites the highest levels of PMfractionswere observed during July and August of 2010, corresponding to the periods when majority (66%) of forest fires occurred. Furthermore, PM10 daily limit at the two sites was exceeded during 20 and 5 days, respectively; 56%, and respectively 60% of those exceedances occurred during the forest fire season. Considering that the risks of forest fire ignition and severity are enhanced with elevated temperatures, the climate change might increase the environmental impacts of forest fires.

Horse stable environment: what to expect regarding fungi and particles occupational exposure?

The simultaneous presence of fungi and particles in horse stable environment can create a singular exposure condition because particles have been reported has a good carrier for microorganisms and their metabolites. This study intends to characterize this setting and to recognize fungi and particles occupational exposure.

Avalia����o da exposi����o a fungos e part��culas em explora����es av��colas e suin��colas: estudo

O projeto ���Avalia����o da Exposi����o a Fungos e Part��culas em Explora����es Av��colas e Suin��colas��� contemplou um elevado n��mero de colheitas ambientais e biol��gicas e respectivo processamento laboratorial, sendo apenas poss��vel a sua concretiza����o gra��as ao financiamento disponibilizado pela Autoridade para as Condi����es de Trabalho. Foi realizado um estudo transversal para avaliar a contamina����o causada por fungos e part��culas em 7 explora����es av��colas e 7 explora����es suin��colas. No que concerne �� monitoriza����o biol��gica, foram medidos os par��metros espirom��tricos, utilizando o espir��metro MK8 Microlab, avaliada a exist��ncia de sintomas cl��nicos associados com a asma e outras doen��as al��rgicas, atrav��s de question��rio adaptado European Community Respiratory Health Survey e, ainda, avaliada a sensibiliza����o aos agentes f��ngicos (IgE). Foram ainda adicionados dois objetivos ao estudo, designadamente: aferir a exist��ncia de tr��s esp��cies/estirpes potencialmente patog��nicas/toxinog��nicas com recurso �� biologia molecular e avaliar a exposi����o dos trabalhadores �� micotoxina aflatoxina B1 por recurso a indicador biol��gico de exposi����o. Foram colhidas 27 amostras de ar de 25 litros nas explora����es av��colas e 56 de 50 litros nas explora����es suin��colas atrav��s do m��todo de impacto. As colheitas de ar e a medi����o da concentra����o das part��culas foram realizadas no interior e no exterior dos pavilh��es, sendo este ��ltimo considerado como local de refer��ncia. Simultaneamente, a temperatura e a humidade relativa tamb��m foram registadas. As colheitas das superf��cies foram realizadas atrav��s da t��cnica de zaragatoa, tendo sido utilizado um quadrado de metal inoxid��vel de 10 cm de lado, de acordo com a International Standard ISO 18593 ��� 2004. As zaragatoas obtidas (20 das explora����es av��colas e 48 das explora����es suin��colas) foram inoculadas em malte de extract agar (2%) com cloranfenicol (0,05 g/L). Al��m das colheitas de ar e de superf��cies, foram tamb��m obtidas colheitas da cama das explora����es av��colas (7 novas e 14 usadas) e da cobertura do pavimento das explora����es suin��colas (3 novas e 4 usadas) e embaladas em sacos esterilizados. Cada amostra foi dilu��da e inoculada em placas contendo malte extract agar. Todas as amostras foram incubadas a 27,5��C durante 5 a 7 dias e obtidos resultados quantitativos (UFC/m3; UFC/m2; UFC/g) e qualitativos com a identifica����o das esp��cies f��ngicas. Para a aplica����o dos m��todos de biologia molecular foram realizadas colheitas de ar de 300 litros utilizando o m��todo de impinger com a velocidade de recolha de 300 L/min. A identifica����o molecular de tr��s esp��cies potencialmente patog��nicas e/ou toxinog��nicas (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus e Stachybotrys chartarum) foram obtidas por PCR em tempo real (PCR TR) utilizando o Rotor-Gene 6000 qPCR Detection System. As medi����es de part��culas foram realizadas por recurso a equipamento de leitura direta (modelo Lighthouse, 2016 IAQ). Este recurso permitiu medir a concentra����o (mg/m3) de part��culas em 5 dimens��es distintas (PM 0.5; PM 1.0; PM 2.5; PM 5.0; PM10). Nas explora����es av��colas, 28 esp��cies/g��neros de fungos foram isolados no ar, tendo Aspergillus versicolor sido a esp��cie mais frequente (20.9%), seguida por Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (17.0%) e Penicillium sp. (14.1%). Entre o g��nero Aspergillus, Aspergillus flavus apresentou o maior n��mero de esporos (>2000 UFC/m3). Em rela����o ��s superf��cies, A. versicolor foi detetada em maior n��mero (>3 �� 10���2 UFC/m2). Na cama nova, Penicillium foi o g��nero mais frequente (59,9%), seguido por Alternaria (17,8%), Cladosporium (7,1%) e Aspergillus (5,7%). Na cama usada, Penicillium sp. foi o mais frequente (42,3%), seguido por Scopulariopsis sp. (38,3%), Trichosporon sp. (8,8%) e Aspergillus sp. (5,5%). Em rela����o �� contamina����o por part��culas, as part��culas com maior dimens��o foram detectadas em maiores concentra����es, designadamente as PM5.0 (part��culas com a dimens��o de 5.0 bm ou menos) e PM10 (part��culas com a dimens��o de 10 bm ou menos). Neste setting a preval��ncia da altera����o ventilat��ria obstrutiva foi superior nos indiv��duos com maior tempo de exposi����o (31,7%) independentemente de serem fumadores (17,1%) ou n��o fumadores (14,6%). Relativamente �� avalia����o do IgE espec��fico, foi apenas realizado em trabalhadores das explora����es av��colas (14 mulheres e 33 homens), n��o tendo sido encontrada associa����o positiva (p<0.05%) entre a contamina����o f��ngica e a sensibiliza����o a antig��nios f��ngicos. No caso das explora����es suin��colas, Aspergillus versicolor foi a esp��cie mais frequente (20,9%), seguida por Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (17,0%) e Penicillium sp. (14,1%). No g��nero Aspergillus, A. versicolor apresentou o maior isolamento no ar (>2000 UFC/m3) e a maior preval��ncia (41,9%), seguida por A. flavus e A. fumigatus (8,1%). Em rela����o ��s superf��cies analisadas, A. versicolor foi detetada em maior n��mero (>3 ��10���2 UFC/m2). No caso da cobertura do pavimento das explora����es suin��colas, o g��nero Thicoderma foi o mais frequente na cobertura nova (28,0%) seguida por A. versicolor e Acremonium sp. (14,0%). O g��nero Mucor foi o mais frequente na cobertura usada (25,1%), seguido por Trichoderma sp. (18,3%) e Acremonium sp. (11,2%). Relativamente ��s part��culas, foram evidenciados tamb��m valores mais elevados na dimens��o PM5 e, predominantes nas PM10. Neste contexto, apenas 4 participantes (22,2%) apresentaram uma altera����o ventilat��ria obstrutiva. Destes, as obstru����es mais graves encontraram-se nos que tamb��m apresentavam maior tempo de exposi����o. A preval��ncia de asma na amostra de trabalhadores em estudo, pertencentes aos 2 contextos em estudo, foi de 8,75%, tendo-se verificado tamb��m uma preval��ncia elevada de sintomatologia respirat��ria em profissionais n��o asm��ticos. Em rela����o �� utiliza����o complementar dos m��todos convencionais e moleculares, �� recomend��vel que a avalia����o da contamina����o f��ngica nestes settings, e, consequentemente, a exposi����o profissional a fungos, seja suportada pelas duas metodologias e, ainda, que ocorre exposi����o ocupacional �� micotoxina aflatoxina B1 em ambos os contextos profissionais. Face aos resultados obtidos, �� importante salientar que os settings alvo de estudo carecem de uma interven����o integrada em Sa��de Ocupacional no ��mbito da vigil��ncia ambiental e da vigil��ncia da sa��de, com o objetivo de diminuir a exposi����o aos dois factores de risco estudados (fungos e part��culas).

Risk criteria in occupational environments: critical overview and discussion

The current work can be seen as a starting point for the discussion of the problematic on risk acceptance criteria in occupational environments. Some obstacles to the quantitative acceptance criteria formulation and use were analyzed. A look to the long tradition of major hazards accidents was also performed. This work shows that organizations can have several difficulties in acceptance criteria formulation and that the use of pre-defined acceptance criteria in risk assessment methodologies can be inadequate in some cases. It is urgent to define guidelines that can help organizations in the formulation of risk acceptance criteria for occupational environments.

Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders in Europe: Impact, Risk factors and Preventive Regulations

The aim of this article is to characterize musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in EU working population according to available Eurostat data, to identify relevant risk factors and to refer existing legislation and standards to prevent MSDs. The following questions will be answered: How often do MSDs occur in EU? What are the risk factors? Do legislation and standards exist to prevent these disorders?

Occupational co-exposure to several mycotoxins in the waste management setting

Contrary to fungi, exposure to mycotoxins is not usually identified as a risk factor present in occupational settings. This is probably due to the inexistence of limits regarding concentration of airborne mycotoxins, and also due to the fact that these compounds are rarely monitored in occupational environments. Despite the optimal conditions for fungal growth and, consequently, for mycotoxins production in all the waste management chain, only a few articles were dedicated to study occupational exposure to mycotoxins in this occupational setting. Aim of study: A study was developed in Portugal aiming to assess occupational co-exposure to mycotoxins in the waste management setting.

Occupational exposure to aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A: co-exposure in swine production

The most common scenario in occupational settings is the co-exposure to several risk factors. This aspect has to be considered in the risk assessment process because can alter the toxicity and the health effects when dealing with a co-exposure to two or more chemical agents. A study was developed aiming to elucidate if there is occupational co-exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin (OTA) in Portuguese swine production. To assess occupational exposure to both mycotoxins, a biomarker of internal dose was used. The same blood samples from workers of seven swine farms and controls were consider to measure AFB1 and OTA. Twenty one workers (75%) showed detectable levels of AFB1 with values ranging from <1 ng/ml to 8.94 ng/ml and with significantly higher concentration when compared with controls. In the case of OTA, there wasn't found a statistical difference between workers and controls and the values for workers group ranged from 0.34 ng/ml to 3.12 ng/ml and 1.76 ng/ml to 3.42 ng/ml for control group. The results suggest that occupational exposure to AFB1 occurs. However, in the case of OTA results, seems that food consumption plays an important role in both groups exposure. The results claim attention for the possible implications on health of this co-exposure.

Occupational exposure to aflatoxin B1: new (old) occupational risk!

Contrary to fungi, exposure to mycotoxins is not usually identified as a risk factor present in occupational settings. This is probably due to the inexistence of limits regarding concentration of airborne mycotoxins, and also due to the fact that these compounds are rarely monitored in occupational environments. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most prevalent aflatoxin and is associated with carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, genotoxicity and immunotoxicity but only a few studies examined exposure in occupational settings. Workers can be exposed to high airborne levels during certain operations in specific occupational settings. Aim of study: The study aimed to assess exposure to AFB1 in three settings: poultry, swine production and waste management.

Task-based occupational exposure assessment and particle number concentration: two important data resources to perform risk assessment for occupational exposure to particles

Environment monitoring has an important role in occupational exposure assessment. However, due to several factors is done with insufficient frequency and normally don��t give the necessary information to choose the most adequate safety measures to avoid or control exposure. Identifying all the tasks developed in each workplace and conducting a task-based exposure assessment help to refine the exposure characterization and reduce assessment errors. A task-based assessment can provide also a better evaluation of exposure variability, instead of assessing personal exposures using continuous 8-hour time weighted average measurements. Health effects related with exposure to particles have mainly been investigated with mass-measuring instruments or gravimetric analysis. However, more recently, there are some studies that support that size distribution and particle number concentration may have advantages over particle mass concentration for assessing the health effects of airborne particles. Several exposure assessments were performed in different occupational settings (bakery, grill house, cork industry and horse stable) and were applied these two resources: task-based exposure assessment and particle number concentration by size. The results showed interesting results: task-based approach applied permitted to identify the tasks with higher exposure to the smaller particles (0.3 ��m) in the different occupational settings. The data obtained allow more concrete and effective risk assessment and the identification of priorities for safety investments.

Characterizing the fungal and bacterial microflora and concentrations in fitness centres

Fitness centres are special places where conditions for microbiological proliferation should be considered. Moisture due to human perspiration and water condensation as a result of human physical activities are prevalent in this type of buildings. Exposure to microbial contaminants is clinically associated with respiratory disorders and people who work out in polluted environments would be susceptible to contaminants. This work studied the indoor air contamination in three gymnasiums in Lisbon. The sampling was performed at two periods: at the opening (morning) and closing (night) of the three gymnasiums. The airborne bacterial and fungal populations were sampled by impaction directly onto Tryptic Soy Agar (for bacteria) and Malt Extract Agar (for fungi) plates, using a Merck MAS-100 air sampler. Higher bacterial concentrations were found at night as compared to the morning but the same behaviour was not found for fungal concentrations. Gram-negative catalase positive cocci were the dominant bacteria in indoor air samples of the studied gymnasiums. In this study, 21 genera/species of fungal colonies were identified. Chrysosporium sp., Chrysonilia sp., Neoscytalidium hialinum, Sepedonium sp. and Penicillium sp. were the most prevalent species identified in the morning, while Cladosporium sp., Penicillium sp., Chrysosporium sp., Acremonium sp. and Chrysonilia sp. were more prevalent at night. A well-designed sanitation and maintenance program for gymnasiums is needed to ensure healthier space for indoor physical activity.

Audiometric profile of civilian pilots according to noise exposure

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the audiometric profile of civilian pilots according to the noise exposure level. METHODS This observational cross-sectional study evaluated 3,130 male civilian pilots aged between 17 and 59 years. These pilots were subjected to audiometric examinations for obtaining or revalidating the functional capacity certificate in 2011. The degree of hearing loss was classified as normal, suspected noise-induced hearing loss, and no suspected hearing loss with other associated complications. Pure-tone air-conduction audiometry was performed using supra-aural headphones and acoustic stimulus of the pure-tone type, containing tone thresholds of frequencies between 250 Hz and 6,000 Hz. The independent variables were professional categories, length of service, hours of flight, and right or left ear. The dependent variable was pilots with suspected noise-induced hearing loss. The noise exposure level was considered low/medium or high, and the latter involved periods > 5,000 flight hours and > 10 years of flight service. RESULTS A total of 29.3% pilots had suspected noise-induced hearing loss, which was bilateral in 12.8% and predominant in the left ear (23.7%). The number of pilots with suspected hearing loss increased as the noise exposure level increased. CONCLUSIONS Hearing loss in civilian pilots may be associated with noise exposure during the period of service and hours of flight.

Selenium role in an human biomonitoring study applied to occupational health

Selenium functions as a co-factor for the reduction of antioxidant enzymes and is an important component of antioxidant enzymes. Dietary selenium significantly inhibits the induction of skin, liver, colon, and mammary tumours in experimental animals by a number of different carcinogens, as well as the induction of mammary tumours by viruses. Selenium shows a ���U��� shaped curve for functionality, whereby too little is as damaging as too much. At optimal levels, selenium may protect against the formation of DNA adducts, DNA or chromosome breakage, chromosome gain or loss, mitochondrial DNA, and telomere length and function. Aim of study: Investigate the relation between selenium and genotoxic effects in a human biomonitoring study applied to occupational health.

Occupational stress and coping resources in physiotherapists: a survey of physiotherapists in three general hospitals

Objectives - To identify occupational stressors and coping resources in a group of physiotherapists, and to analyse interactions between subjective levels of stress, efficacy in stress resolution and coping resources used by these professionals. Design - A sample of 55 physiotherapists working in three general hospitals in Portugal completed the Coping Resources Inventory for Stress, the Occupational Stressors Inventory and two subjective scales for stress and stress resolution. Main results - Most physiotherapists perceived that they were moderately stressed (19/55, 35%) or stressed (20/55, 36%) due to work, and reported that their efficacy in stress resolution was moderate (25/54, 46%) or efficient (23/54, 42%). Issues related to lack of professional autonomy, lack of organisation in the hierarchical command chain, lack of professional and social recognition, disorganisation in task distribution and interpersonal conflicts with superiors were identified as the main sources of stress. The most frequently used coping resources were social support, stress monitoring, physical health and structuring. Perceived efficacy in stress resolution was inversely related to perceived level of occupational stress (r = ���0.61, P < 0.01). Significant correlations were found between several coping resources and the perceived level of stress and efficacy in stress resolution. Associations between problem solving, cognitive restructuring and stress monitoring and both low levels of perceived stress and high levels of perceived efficacy were particularly strong. Implications for practice - The importance of identifying stressors and coping resources related to physiotherapists��� occupational stress, and the need for the development of specific training programmes to cope with stress are supported.

Occupational conditions and the risk of the use of amphetamines by truck drivers

OBJECTIVE To test whether the occupational conditions of professional truck drivers are associated with amphetamine use after demographic characteristics and ones regarding mental health and drug use are controlled for.METHODS Cross-sectional study, with a non-probabilistic sample of 684 male truck drivers, which was collected in three highways in Sao Paulo between years 2012 and 2013. Demographic and occupational information was collected, as well as data on drug use and mental health (sleep quality, emotional stress, and psychiatric disorders). A logistic regression model was developed to identify factors associated with amphetamine use. Odds ratio (OR; 95%CI) was defined as the measure for association. The significance level was established as p < 0.05.RESULTS The studied sample was found to have an average age of 36.7 (SD = 7.8) years, as well as low education (8.6 [SD = 2.3] years); 29.0% of drivers reported having used amphetamines within the twelve months prior to their interviews. After demographic and occupational variables had been controlled for, the factors which indicated amphetamine use among truck drivers were the following: being younger than 38 years (OR = 3.69), having spent less than nine years at school (OR = 1.76), being autonomous (OR = 1.65), working night shifts or irregular schedules (OR = 2.05), working over 12 hours daily (OR = 2.14), and drinking alcohol (OR = 1.74).CONCLUSIONS Occupational aspects are closely related to amphetamine use among truck drivers, which reinforces the importance of closely following the application of law (Resting Act (&#8220;Lei do Descanso&#8221;); Law 12,619/2012) which regulates the workload and hours of those professionals. Our results show the need for increased strictness on the trade and prescription of amphetamines in Brazil.