Personal exposure of traffic police officers to particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and benzene in the city of Milan, Italy

Indoor and outdoor air quality in street corner kiosks in a large metropolitan area

Poor air quality in workplaces constitutes a great concern on human health as a good fraction of our time is spent at work. In Greece, very unique workplaces are the street corner kiosks, which are freestanding boxes placed on sidewalks next to city streets and vehicular traffic, where one can find many consumer goods. As such, its employees are exposed to both outdoor and indoor air pollutants. Very few studies have examined the occupational exposure of kiosk workers to air pollutants, and thus the magnitude of this unique indoor and outdoor exposure remains unknown. The objective of this study is to investigate and compare the levels of indoor and outdoor particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), ultrafine particles (UFPs) and black carbon (BC) in different kiosks located in Athens, Greece, in urban-traffic and urban-background environments. Continuous measurements of the above-mentioned pollutants were carried out on a 24-h basis over 7 consecutive days at three kiosks from September to October 2019. Indoor PM10 concentrations in the urban kiosk ranged from 19.0 to 44.0 μg/m3, PM2.5 values ranged from 14.0 to 33.0 μg/m3, whereas BC concentrations ranged from 1.2 to 7.0 μg/m3 and UFPs from almost 9.5 to 47.0 × 103 pt/cm3. Outdoor PM10 and PM2.5 measurements ranged from 29.0 to 59.0 μg/m3 and from 22.0 to 39.0 μg/m3, respectively. BC outdoor concentrations ranged from 1.1 to 2.2 μg/m3. The mean hazard quotient (HQ) for PM10 (4.9) and PM2.5 (4.7) among all participants was >1. The health risk of exposure to PM10 and PM2.5 was found to be at moderate hazard levels, although in some cases we observed HQ values higher than 10 due to high PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in the kiosks. Overall our study indicates that people working at kiosks can be exposed to very high concentrations on particulate pollution depending on a number of factors including the traffic that strongly depends on location and the time of the day.

The Difference in Carboxyhemoglobin Levels in Blood between Grilled and Non-grilled Food Vendors in Medan, Indonesia

BACKGROUND: Carbon monoxide (CO) is air pollutants that have continued to increase in level. It might affect the body through the binding of CO with hemoglobin (Hb) in blood to form carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). In addition to cigarettes, another pollutant that might affect the COHb levels in the blood is the smoke produced from grilled food. AIM: Thus, this research was done to identify the difference in COHb levels in blood between grilled and non-grilled food vendors. METHODS: A comparative analysis study with a cross-sectional design was done between October and November 2020 at Jalan Dr. Mansyur, Medan. The sample for the measurement of COHb levels of each subject was taken from blood plasma. COHb levels were measured with Human COHb Elisa Kit, Size 96 Wells, Brands Bioassay TL at the integrated research laboratory of Universitas Sumatera Utara. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 24.0. Normality test of COHb levels in blood between grilled and non-grilled food vendors was done using Shapiro–Wilk test, where p > 0.05 indicated a normal distribution of data. RESULTS: A total of 50 subjects (25 from grilled food vendors and 25 from non-grilled food vendors) met the research criteria. Thirty-two subjects (64%) aged 20–30 years, where 19 of them were grilled food vendors (59.4%) and 13 (40.6%) were non-grilled food vendors. COHb levels were 500.22 ng/ml with minimum and maximum levels of 106.21 ng/ml and 1204.14 ng/ml observed, respectively. The median of COHb levels in grilled food vendors (352.81 ng/ml) was found to be lower than that in non-grilled (513.58 ng/ml). Comparative analysis results showed p = 0.204 (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was no significant differences in COHb levels in blood between grilled and non-grilled food vendors in Medan.

Assessing BTEX exposure among workers of the second largest natural gas reserve in the world: a biomonitoring approach

Urinary benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) can be used as a reliable biomarker of exposure to these pollutants. This cross-sectional study aimed to employ biomonitoring to assess BTEX exposure among South Pars Gas Field (SPGF) workers in Assaluyeh, Iran. Forty employees who were working on the site were recruited as the case group. Besides, 31 administrative employees were recruited as the control group. Pre-shift and post-shift spot urine samples were collected from the subjects in the case group, while the subjects in the control group provided mid-morning urine samples. Overall, 111 urine samples, including 80 samples from the case group and 31 samples from the controls, were collected. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to determine the urinary levels of BTEX compounds. The median urinary levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylene, and o-xylene in the post-shift samples of the exposed group were 1.24, 2.28, 0.5, 1.32, and 1.5 μg/l, respectively. Significant differences were observed in urinary BTEX levels among smokers and non-smokers in both studied groups (p < 0.05). Accordingly, the median urinary BTEX concentrations in smokers were 2 to 6.5 times higher than the corresponding values in non-smoker subjects. Smoking status was the only predictor of the urinary BTEX concentration. Our findings revealed that refinery workers are exposed to significant levels of BTEX compounds. Considering the health risks associated with BTEX exposure for refinery workers, implementation of suitable control strategies, such as using appropriate personal protective equipment and improving on-site ventilation systems, are recommended reducing their exposure to BTEX via the inhalation.

Indoor air pollution from cook-stoves during Injera baking in Ethiopia, exposure, and health risk assessment

This study was undertaken to assess indoor air pollution and potential exposure to particulate matters (PMs-PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₄, PM₇, PM₁₀), and total suspended particles [TSP] and total volatile organic compounds [TVOCs] during baking of Ethiopian traditional staple food, Injera using different types of stoves at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The geometric mean (GOM) of PMs pollutant using clean, improved, and traditional stoves were ranged 10.8-235, 23.6-462, and 36.4-591 µg/m³, respectively. The GOM of TVOCs in the wet and dry season using the clean, improved, and traditional stoves were 1,553, 2,234, 4,421, and 845, 1,214, and 2,662 µg/m³, respectively. The health risk of an exposed person to PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and TSP during baking of Injera was characterized and the results showed only baking of Injera using any of the stove types does not cause health problems to the baker. However, the percent contribution to the total chronic intake is high up to 38%.

Multilevel Analysis of 24-Hour Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, and Associated Factors among Police Officers in Hanoi, Vietnam

Background

Due to long-hour outdoor working environment, policemen have been subjected to tremendous health risks including blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). In tropical countries, the temperature is extremely harsh which may get peak at above 40 Celsius degrees or drops under 8 Celsius degrees. However, the existing data on the effects of weather variation on BP and HR among police task force has been scarce in Vietnam.

Aims

This study aimed to describe the variation of 24-hour BP and HR and identify factors associated with BP and HR for further appropriate interventions in order to reduce health risks from occupational exposure.

Methods

Multilevel regression analysis (MLRA) was applied with two levels of influent factors. 24-hour holter measured systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and HR values were the first level which should then be nested in the second level (individual). 24-hour temperature and humidity variations were extracted, respectively, from Hanoi Hydrometeorology Department. All individual characteristics and risk behaviours were measured within 24 studying hours.

Results

Temperature and humidity were major factors that influenced (74%-78%) the variation of BP and HR among the policemen population. When each of the Celsius degree temperature or percentage humidity increases, the SBP goes down by 0.44 (0.11-0.77) and by 0.2 (0.33-0.77), respectively, and the DBP goes down by 0.21 (-0.05-0.48) and by 0.12 (0.02-0.22), respectively, and vice versa. Interaction between temperature and humidity was significantly influent to SBP. The farther the time section from the first time section (0-6AM) the more the variation of the BP and HR. Transition from winter to summer made SBP and DBP decrease and vice versa. Individual characteristics including body mass index (BMI), bad life styles, and stress contributed 22% to 26% to the variation of BP and HR. Traffic policemen were at the greatest risks of the outdoor ambient variation in comparison with the firefighters and office-based policemen.

Conclusion

Designing and equipping appropriate uniform and outdoor facilities could help to reduce influence of temperature and humidity variation in the outdoor workplace. Besides, training and educating programs that aimed at controlling BMI, risk behaviours, and stress for police taskforce, especially the traffic policemen, should be implemented.

Levels of trace elements in PM10 collected at roadsides of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and exposure risk assessment

Estimation of personal exposure to air pollution is needed to identify high-risk population and to develop mitigation strategies. In this study, an assessment of the potential effects of short-term exposure to PM₁₀ and the elements bound within PM₁₀ was conducted. Samples were obtained from the ten sub-cities of Addis Ababa (three sampling points from each) during the commuting time (traffic congestion and taxi queues). A particle counter consisting of a portable sampling unit with multi-fraction dust samplers was used for sample collection. The elemental composition was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The mean concentrations of PM₁₀ ranged from 206 to 308 μg m^-3. The highest concentrations of pollutants were found in the major open-market part of the city, Addis Ketema. The lowest concentrations were found at the old-town, Arada sub-cities. The concentration of trace elements (Fe, Cd, As, Cr, Pb, B, Ni, Co, Sn, Cu, and Zn) bound in PM₁₀ ranged from below detectable limit to 0.981 μg m^-3. Regardless of the sampling sub-city, the overall patterns of the mean concentration of elements bound in PM₁₀ were found in the following increasing order of Cr < Cd < As < Co < Ni < Cu < Fe < Pb < Sn < B < Zn < Mn. The results showed that the primary source of Zn, Cr, and Cd may be emissions from on-road vehicles, tire and brake wear. Pb originates mainly from industries and suspended soil dust at the roadside, whereas As, Mn, and B are associated with dust resuspension and biomass and biofuel combustion, respectively. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks due to chronic exposure to trace elements bound in PM₁₀ at the roadside were assessed in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) guidelines. It was determined that Mn, As, and Cd contributed substantially to the inducement of non-carcinogenic health problems to children and adults as a result of exposure while in close proximity to the roadsides.

Exposure to outdoor air pollution and its human health outcomes: A scoping review

Despite considerable air pollution prevention and control measures that have been put into practice in recent years, outdoor air pollution remains one of the most important risk factors for health outcomes. To identify the potential research gaps, we conducted a scoping review focused on health outcomes affected by outdoor air pollution across the broad research area. Of the 5759 potentially relevant studies, 799 were included in the final analysis. The included studies showed an increasing publication trend from 1992 to 2008, and most of the studies were conducted in Asia, Europe, and North America. Among the eight categorized health outcomes, asthma (category: respiratory diseases) and mortality (category: health records) were the most common ones. Adverse health outcomes involving respiratory diseases among children accounted for the largest group. Out of the total included studies, 95.2% reported at least one statistically positive result, and only 0.4% showed ambiguous results. Based on our study, we suggest that the time frame of the included studies, their disease definitions, and the measurement of personal exposure to outdoor air pollution should be taken into consideration in any future research. The main limitation of this study is its potential language bias, since only English publications were included. In conclusion, this scoping review provides researchers and policy decision makers with evidence taken from multiple disciplines to show the increasing prevalence of outdoor air pollution and its adverse effects on health outcomes.

Chemical characterization and source apportionment of PM2.5 personal exposure of two cohorts living in urban and suburban Beijing

In the study, personal PM_2.5 exposures and their source contributions were characterized for 159 subjects living in the Beijing Metropolitan area. The exposures and sources were examined as functions of residential location, season, vocation, cigarette smoking, and time spent outdoors. Sampling was performed for two categories of volunteers, guards and students, that lived in urban and suburban areas of Beijing. Samples were collected using portable PM_2.5 monitors during summer and winter. Exposure measurements were supplemented with a questionnaire that tracked personal activity and time spent in microenvironments that may have impacted exposures. Simultaneously, ambient PM_2.5 data were obtained from national network stations located at the Gucheng and Huairouzhen sites. These data were used as a comparison against the personal PM_2.5 exposures and produced poor correlations between personal and ambient PM_2.5. These results demonstrate that individual behavior strongly affects personal PM_2.5 exposure. Six primary sources of personal PM_2.5 exposure were determined using a positive matrix factorization (PMF) source apportionment model. These sources included Roadway Transport Source, Soil/Dust Source, Industrial/Combustion Source, Secondary Inorganic Source, Cd Source, and Household Heating Source. Averaged across all subjects and seasons, the highest source contribution was Secondary Inorganic Source (24.8% ± 32.6%, AVG ± STD), whereas the largest primary ambient source was determined to be Roadway Transport (20.9% ± 13.6%). Subjects were classified according to the questionnaire and were used to help understand the relationship between personal activity and source contribution to PM_2.5 exposure. In general, primary ambient sources showed only significant spatial and seasonal differences, while secondary sources differed significantly between populations with different personal behavior. In particular, Cd source was found to be related to smoking exposure and was the most unpredictable source, with significant differences between populations of different sites, vocations, smoking exposures, and outdoor time.

Advancing the framework for considering the effects of climate change on worker safety and health

In 2009, a preliminary framework for how climate change could affect worker safety and health was described. That framework was based on a literature search from 1988-2008 that supported seven categories of climate-related occupational hazards: (1) increased ambient temperature; (2) air pollution; (3) ultraviolet radiation exposure; (4) extreme weather; (5) vector-borne diseases and expanded habitats; (6) industrial transitions and emerging industries; and (7) changes in the built environment. This article reviews the published literature from 2008-2014 in each of the seven categories. Additionally, three new topics related to occupational safety and health are considered: mental health effects, economic burden, and potential worker safety and health impacts associated with the nascent field of climate intervention (geoengineering). Beyond updating the literature, this article also identifies key priorities for action to better characterize and understand how occupational safety and health may be associated with climate change events and ensure that worker health and safety issues are anticipated, recognized, evaluated, and mitigated. These key priorities include research, surveillance, risk assessment, risk management, and policy development. Strong evidence indicates that climate change will continue to present occupational safety and health hazards, and this framework may be a useful tool for preventing adverse effects to workers.

Particulate Matter Exposure in a Police Station Located near a Highway

People living or working near roadways have experienced an increase in cardiovascular or respiratory diseases due to vehicle emissions. Very few studies have focused on the PM exposure of highway police officers, particularly for the number concentration and size distribution of ultrafine particles (UFP). This study evaluated exposure concentrations of particulate matter (PM) in the Sinying police station near a highway located in Tainan, Taiwan, under different traffic volumes, traffic types, and shift times. We focused on periods when the wind blew from the highway toward the police station and when the wind speed was greater than or equal to 0.5 m/s. PM2.5, UFP, and PM-PAHs concentrations in the police station and an upwind reference station were measured. Results indicate that PM2.5, UFP, and PM-PAHs concentrations in the police station can be on average 1.13, 2.17, and 5.81 times more than the upwind reference station concentrations, respectively. The highest exposure level for PM2.5 and UFP was observed during the 12:00 PM–4:00 PM shift while the highest PAHs concentration was found in the 4:00 AM–8:00 AM shift. Thus, special attention needs to be given to protect police officers from exposure to high PM concentration.

Global review of studies on traffic police with special focus on environmental health effects

Since occupation is a major determinant of health, traffic police personnel face multiple occupational hazards. They are continuously exposed to vehicular emissions and work in a noisy and polluted environment. The objective of the present review is to explore the impact of occupational health hazards on the health of traffic police personnel. Published research papers on traffic police reporting occupational health issues were accessed and reviewed. Attempts were made to access papers that reported negative associations in order to present a balanced review. The majority of the studies have reported a decrease in the lung function and increased respiratory morbidity. The research on the cytogenetic abnormalities or genotoxic effect of vehicular emissions arising due to long-term exposure to benzene and other polyaromatic hydrocarbons has provided conflicting results, since more or less equal numbers of studies have given evidence for and against the causal association. There is a vast accumulation of epidemiological evidence on the casual association between vehicular pollution and its carcinogenic effect. Multiple studies have concluded that traffic police are highly stressed. A number of occupational factors have been attributed to stress among traffic police. Occupational health studies help us to understand the effects of vehicular pollution and its adverse influence on workers. They also provide opportunity for defined exposures measurements and precise risk assessment. The findings from these studies are easily generalizable and can help us understand the impact of air pollution on the general population.

New approach for particulate exposure monitoring: determination of inhaled particulate mass by 24 h real-time personal exposure monitoring

The objectives of this study were to measure particulate pollution (PM(10), PM(2.5), and PM(1.0)) continuously (24 h/day for 7 day) using real-time exposure monitoring and to estimate total inhalation mass using breathing rate and time-activity. Breathing rates were calculated from measured heart rates. Participants were asked to record a time-activity diary every 15 min. Five microenvironments were defined based on the time-activity diary: home, workplace/school, other indoor, outdoor, and transportation. The average masses of inhaled PM(10) were 530, 316, and 280 μg/day for two office workers, a housewife, and three students, respectively; those of PM(2.5) were 316, 279, and 210 μg/day; and those of PM(1.0) were 251, 264, and 187 μg/day, respectively. We found that home and office/school microenvironments were the main contributors of PM(10), PM(2.5), and PM(1.0) inhaled mass during weekdays and weekends because dwelling time was a determinant factor for inhaled mass. Considering microenvironmental concentration, breathing rate, and dwelling time in each microenvironment, indoor home microenvironments were the largest source of particulate inhalation, followed in order by workplace, transportation, other indoor, and outdoor microenvironments. 34.6% and 69.6% of PM(10) inhalation mass were accumulated in home microenvironments during weekdays and weekends, respectively. The inhaled mass of particulate <1.0 μm (PM(1.0)) in size occupied largest, followed in order by particulate 10-2.5 μm (coarse particle) and 2.5-1.0 μm in size for all occupations.

Environmental and biological monitoring of benzene in traffic policemen, police drivers and rural outdoor male workers

To evaluate exposure to benzene in urban and rural areas, an investigation into personal exposure to benzene in traffic policemen, police drivers and rural (roadmen) male outdoor workers was carried out. Personal samples and data acquired using fixed monitoring stations located in different areas of the city were used to measure personal exposure to benzene in 62 non-smoker traffic policemen, 22 police drivers and 57 roadmen. Blood benzene, urinary trans-trans muconic acid (t,t-MA) and S-phenyl-mercapturic acid (S-PMA) were measured at the end of work shift in 62 non-smoker traffic policemen, 22 police drivers and 57 roadmen and 34 smoker traffic policemen, 21 police drivers and 53 roadmen. Exposure to benzene was similar among non-smoker traffic policemen and police drivers and higher among non-smoker urban workers compared to rural workers. Blood benzene, t,t-MA and S-PMA were similar among non-smoker traffic policemen and police drivers; blood benzene and t,t-MA were significantly higher in non-smoker urban workers compared to rural workers. Significant increases in t,t-MA were found in smokers vs. non-smokers. In non-smoker urban workers airborne benzene and blood benzene, and t,t-MA and S-PMA were significantly correlated. This study gives an evaluation of the exposure to benzene in an urban area, comparing people working in the street or in cars, to people working in a rural area. Benzene is a certain carcinogen for humans. The results we showed should lead to more in-depth studies about the effects on health of these categories of workers.

Assessment of occupational exposure to benzene, toluene and xylenes in urban and rural female workers

OBJECTIVES

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.

METHODS

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.

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSIONS

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.

Increased mitochondrial DNA copy number in occupations associated with low-dose benzene exposure

BACKGROUND

Benzene is an established leukemogen at high exposure levels. Although low-level benzene exposure is widespread and may induce oxidative damage, no mechanistic biomarkers are available to detect biological dysfunction at low doses.

OBJECTIVES

Our goals were to determine in a large multicenter cross-sectional study whether low-level benzene is associated with increased blood mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn, a biological oxidative response to mitochondrial DNA damage and dysfunction) and to explore potential links between mtDNAcn and leukemia-related epigenetic markers.

METHODS

We measured blood relative mtDNAcn by real-time polymerase chain reaction in 341 individuals selected from various occupational groups with low-level benzene exposures (> 100 times lower than the Occupational Safety and Health Administration/European Union standards) and 178 referents from three Italian cities (Genoa, Milan, Cagliari).

RESULTS

In each city, benzene-exposed participants showed higher mtDNAcn than referents: mtDNAcn was 0.90 relative units in Genoa bus drivers and 0.75 in referents (p = 0.019); 0.90 in Milan gas station attendants, 1.10 in police officers, and 0.75 in referents (p-trend = 0.008); 1.63 in Cagliari petrochemical plant workers, 1.25 in referents close to the plant, and 0.90 in referents farther from the plant (p-trend = 0.046). Using covariate-adjusted regression models, we estimated that an interquartile range increase in personal airborne benzene was associated with percent increases in mtDNAcn equal to 10.5% in Genoa (p = 0.014), 8.2% (p = 0.008) in Milan, 7.5% in Cagliari (p = 0.22), and 10.3% in all cities combined (p < 0.001). Using methylation data available for the Milan participants, we found that mtDNAcn was associated with LINE-1 hypomethylation (-2.41%; p = 0.007) and p15 hypermethylation (+15.95%, p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Blood MtDNAcn was increased in persons exposed to low benzene levels, potentially reflecting mitochondrial DNA damage and dysfunction.

Particulate matter (PM) exposure assessment--horizontal and vertical PM profiles in relation to agricultural activities and environmental factors in farm fields

Reports profiling airborne particulate matter (PM) in farm fields, especially during a Class B biosolids land-injection process, are scarce. Thus, this study characterized PM in such a farm field located in northwest Ohio. For comparison, a control farm field with no biosolids application history was also monitored. During 11 days of varied agricultural activities, the concentrations of particle mass and number (count) and also metal content were monitored in the study field, and their interactions with environmental factors were examined. The monitoring was performed across the farm field at four heights of 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 m from the ground. The overall mean (SD) concentration (μg/m(3)) of respirable suspended particulate matter (RPM) was 30.8 (23.1) with means ranging from 15.9 (3.80) during post-tilling Event 1, 19.9 (12.4) during biosolids application to 56.1 (11.7) during post-harvest (including baling) activity. The maximum concentration of RPM (μg/m(3)) was 43 during biosolids application, 90 during post-harvest, and 183 during post-tilling Event 2 activities. Overall, 93.7% (8.98%) of the total suspended particulate matter (TPM) was respirable. The levels of RPM significantly (p < 0.01) correlated with TPM and particle counts of ultrafine particles (UFP) and 0.3 μm particle size. Ambient temperature showed no effect, whereas wind speed and relative humidity had an inverse effect on RPM concentration. Particle concentrations changed minimally during each set of monitoring across the field, except during major activities or sudden weather changes. For particles with sizes of 2, 5, and 10 μm, the counts decreased with increasing height from the ground and were significantly (p < 0.05) higher at 0.5 m than at other heights. The levels of nine metals within particles monitored were well below current recommended occupational exposure criteria. These results suggest that injection of the biosolids into agricultural land provides significant protection against exposure to biosolids particles.

Follicle-stimulating hormone levels in female workers exposed to urban pollutants

The aim of this study was to evaluate if there were alterations in FSH plasma levels in female outdoor workers (traffic policewomen and drivers) exposed to chemical urban stressors vs. control group. After excluding subjects with main confounding factors, traffic policewomen, drivers and indoor workers were matched by age, working life, socioeconomic status, marital status, menstrual cycle day, age of menarche, habitual consumption of Italian coffee and soy. A total of 129 female subjects were included in the study: some 63 workers studied during proliferative phase and 66 during secretory phase of menstrual cycle. Proliferative phase of menstrual cycle: FSH mean values were significantly higher in traffic policewomen compared to controls (p < 0.05). Results suggest that in outdoor workers exposed to urban chemical stressors there are alterations in FSH levels; therefore FSH may be used as an early biological marker, valuable for the group, used in occupational set.