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Presents a study dealing with the developments in societal responses and treatment systems in relation to alcoholism in Italy that have occurred in five years prior to 1996. Self-help associations; Producers of alcoholic beverages; Insurance companies.

Dock workers ( n = 218) occupationally exposed to green coffee beans (GCB) were studied, using a specific questionnaire for allergic symptoms and skin tests for common and occupational allergens. Thirty-one workers (14.3%) complained of allergic symptoms of the eye, nose and bronchial system at the workplace. The prick tests, using both commercial allergens and specific extracts prepared from the most common types of coffee and their corresponding sacks, confirmed a sensitization in 21 workers (9.6%). A positive skin reaction to castor beans (CB) was found in nearly all these cases; in ten workers there was also a positive reaction to GCB allergens and in 14 cases prick tests were positive to extracts of sacks. There was a good concordance between prick tests and specific IgE for CB (95.0%) and also, but to a lesser extent, for GCB. The authors concluded that there is a significant risk of sensitization to CB and GCB allergens in dock workers occupied in handling green coffee bean, despite the fact that the exposure is not continuous. CB emerged as a common contaminant of GCB from various countries. For effective prevention, a modification of the methods of transport is required to avoid CB contamination to other products. Eliminating environmental dust during shipping operations is the most important preventive measure and it can be achieved by the use of containers, as some exporting countries are already doing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air-lead levels (PbA) and biological indices were studied in three ceramic factories (185 workers altogether). A difference in the pattern of lead exposure was found in the largest factory (A) and the other two smaller factories (B and C). PbA never exceeded 67 μg/m in factory A, but reached values as high as 378 μg/m in factory B. 19% of PbB values were higher than 40 μg/100 ml in factory A, 63% in factory B and 35% in factory C. As was expected, a closer analysis of the jobs confirmed a higher exposure level in people directly in contact with lead glazes (glazers and kiln operators). In factories B and C, however, there was also a significant lead uptake in selection and maintenance staff, who worked in areas at some distance from the glazing lines. This may be due in part to pollution spread over all departments, but also to the lack of hygiene and washing facilities whose importance is stressed for effective prevention. Biological monitoring is suggested as being useful for all workers, whatever the lead-air level, bearing in mind the possibility of lead intake orally through soiling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a case report discussing occupational airborne allergic contact dermatitis due to 3-amino-methyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylamine. A 53-year-old man had been employed for 4 years as an impermeable-floor layer. He mixed epoxy components (Araldit GY 289 and Chemammina 931 74) with quartz powder for coating the floor. Araidit GY 289 is a stan- dard bisphenol-A-typc epoxy resin; Chemammina 93 I 74 is composed of benzyl alcohol and 3-amino- methyl-3,5,5-trirnethylcyclohexylamine.

This article presents a case of hand dermatitis due to Loctite. Loctite is the trade name of an anaerobic acrylic scalant series widely used in the mechanics industry. A man had worked for 7 years in fastening bolts in the assembly line of motorsaws. He used Loctite 221 and 270 both to seal and fasten bolts. He developed a left-hand contact dermatitis characterized by erythema, scaling and lichenification. It regressed when he stopped work for a few days and recurred with re-exposure. The dermatitis began 5 years ago, gradually changing from slight itching into dermatitis.