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The aim of the present study was to investigate the environmental and healthy aspects from a representative sample of indoor swimming pools located in the Emilia Romagna region. During the sampling sessions, the occupational environment was evaluated in terms of microclimate parameters and thermal comfort/discomfort conditions. Moreover the chemical risk was assessed by analyzing from the pool water the presence of disinfection by-products (DBPs), such as: trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs), chlorite, chlorate and bromate. The analytical results are in agreement with the Italian legislation (Accordo Stato-Regioni; 2003) even if in some of the sampled indoor swimming pools, the dosed combined chlorine levels, were greater than the Italian limit. With the regard to the microclimate conditions evaluation, the considered thermal indices, Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied (PPD%), described a satisfactory occupational environment. Among DBPs, the THMs mean levels (41.4 +/- 30.0 microg/l) resulted close to the values of the current Italian drinking water legislation, and seem to not represent an health issue. The pool waters chlorate levels (range: 5 - 19537 microg/l) need further investigations as recent epidemiological studies on drinking water hypothesized a potential genotoxicity effect of these compounds which are involved in cellular oxidative processes.

This study investigated the exposure to organohalogens compounds in drinking water from 9 Italian towns (Udine, Genova, Parma, Modena, Siena, Roma, L'Aquila, Napoli and Catania). Overall, 1199 samples collected from 72 waterworks were analyzed. THMs, trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene were evaluated using the head-space gas chromatographic technique (detection limit of 0.01 microg/l; chlorite and chlorate analysis was performed by ion chromatography (detection limit of 20 microg/l). THMs were evidenced in 925 samples (77%) (median value: 1.12 micro/l; range: 0.01-54 mciro/l) and 7 were higher than the THMs Italian limit of 30 microg/l. Chlorite and chlorate levels were higher than the detection limit in 45% for chlorite and in 34% for chlorate samples; median values were 221 microg/l and 76 microg/l, respectively. Chlorite values were higher than the chlorite Italian limit (700 microg/l) in 35 samples (8.7%). Trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene were measured in 29% and 44% of the investigated samples and showed values lower than the Italian limit (highest levels of 6 microg/l and 9 microg/l, respectively). The low levels detected of THMs, trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene have no potentials effects on human health, whereas, the levels of chlorite and chlorates should be further evaluated and their potential effects for the populations using these drinking waters, better understood.

74 mineral natural water samples and 56 samples of different commercial drinks have been analysed by head-space chromatography in order to evidence the presence of volatile halogenated organic compounds (VHO). Trihalomethanes (THM) as drinking water chlorination by-products and trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene as ubiquitarious substances have been investigated. The presence of VHO has been evidenced in 20,3% of mineral natural water samples and in the 58,9% of the commercial soft drinks: this latest group has usually shown higher levels of the investigated compounds. The results of the present study has been compared with a similar study performed in 1991 in the same area: the VHO values observed in the present study appear to be lower than those obtained in the previous study.

Chlorination By Products (CBPs) in drinking water have been associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as small term birth (STB) and preterm delivery. Up to date epidemiological evidence is weakened by a generally inaccurate exposure assessment, often at an ecological level: in this study the exposure is evaluated at the individual level. A case control study with incident cases was performed in Modena between October 1999-September 2000. 332 subjects were enrolled: 93 preterm births (26th-37th week of pregnancy), 73 STB (from 38th week, and weight less than the lowest 10th percentile) and 166 controls. Exposure was assessed both by applying a questionnaire on personal habits and by personal water sampling directly at subjects' home. THMs were analysed in all samples, chlorite and chlorate in water samples treated with chlorine dioxide. Subjects usually drinking tap water were few (5.2%): most of them were living in areas supplied by water treated with chlorine dioxide (87%). Levels of THMs were low (mean: 0.73 microgram/l), while chlorite and chlorate concentrations were relatively high (mean: 217.8 microgram/l for chlorites and 95.2 microgram/l for chlorates). Preterm birth did not show any significant association with CBPs, while STB appeared significantly associated, after adjusting for many potential confounders, with CBPs induced by chlorine dioxide treatment, especially with levels of chlorate higher than 200 microgram/l (OR: 4.7; 95%CI: 1.15-19.72). The association between STB and chlorate must be investigated further as the number of water utilities applying chlorine dioxide as disinfection treatment is increasing.

Work related injuries, above all those involving young people, are an important health and social issue, even though up to now small attention has been deserved in spite of the presence of about 68 workers per 1000 young people and the occurrence of 27400 injures in young people in 2000 in Italy. This study was aimed at improving the knowledge on work related injures occurring in Modena in 14-17 year old subjects in the period January-June 2000. A descriptive epidemiological study was carried out. Information was collected at the two emergency departments operating in Modena by checking hospital and INAIL records. Injures were defined as events caused by a violent external cause producing one or more lesions. Injuries were defined as work related when occurring during working activities or "in itinere". Work related injures and other injures were compared using the different statistical methods. Work related injuries occurring in young people during January-June 2000 in Modena were 76 (6-month incidence: 1.5 per 100 subjects of the same age) and represent 8.5% of all injuries. The most involved subjects were 17 year old males working in the industrial field, and in most cases prognoses were lasting less than 8 days. A Cluster Analysis identified two types of injures: the "in itinere" ones which resulted similar to the road accidents, both for body sites involved and for the way of occurrence and the injuries occurring at the working place characterised by a high frequency of lesions concerning hand, head, above all eyes. The study showed a remarkable incidence of work related injuries among 14-17 year old subjects in Modena in the first 6 months of 2000. Nevertheless many difficulties in finding information raised during the survey: a higher accuracy and completeness in collecting and recording of the data is needed to better define the epidemiological aspects of this issue.

Authors report data about microbiological characterization of solid wastes and aerosol in the municipal solid waste landfill site in Poiatica (RE). In solid waste samples high values of total coliform and fecal coliform were observed (10(5)-10(6) CFU/g): total bacterial counts at 22 degrees, at 36 degrees and at 44 degrees ranged from 10(7) to 10(9) CFU/g. Aerosol samples collected during waste movement in the landfill site showed values of total and fecal bacterial ranging from 10(3)-10(4) CFU/m3. Staphylococci and fungi reported the same values while streptococci, total and fecal coliform and spore evidenced lower values. Municipal solid wastes and aerosol have to be considered as an infective substrate: it is necessary to adopt protective barriers in occupationally exposed subjects.

The Authors report data about the presence of Disinfection By-Products (DBPs) and other halogenated compounds in drinking water samples collected in the areas of Modena and Parma (20 water supplies). Trihalomethanes, chlorite and chlorate (only in water samples treated with chlorine dioxide), and halogenated compounds were investigated. On the whole, trihalomethanes were evidenced in the 85% of the samples (n. 285) at low levels, while chlorite and chlorate were present in the 67% and 63% of the treated samples with chlorine dioxide (257 samples). Chlorite mean and median values were 225.70 microg/l and 136.75 microg/l respectively, ranging from 20 to 2000 microg/l. Chlorate concentrations were lower than chlorite: the mean value was 102.93 mg/l, while median level was 50 microg/l (range: 20-1500 microg/l). The high concentrations of chlorite and the wide range of values within each municipality plant in Modena and Parma suggest to investigate further in order to evaluate the human exposure in drinking water thoroughly.

Exposure to chloroform (CHCl3) in indoor swimming pool swimmers. CHCl3 presence has been evidenced many times in water and air of indoor pools as a consequence of water chlorination with sodium hypochlorite or other chlorinated disinfectants. In previous studies CHCl3 in environmental air appeared at a high concentration within one meter over the surface of the water and was correlated to the number of swimmers inside the pool. CHCl3 has also been evidenced in blood serum samples of people present at the swimming pool, at different levels depending on: the concentration in the environmental air, the intensity and the length of the sport activity and the number of swimmers in the pool. At the end of the swimming session CHCl3 concentration tends to lower quickly and usually is no longer detectable within half an hour. Other studies have evidenced CHCl3 in breath samples (alveolar air) of a volunteer subject who swam one hour every day in an indoor pool in Modena. The spirometric parameters of the same subject were evaluated in order to estimate his CHCl3 uptake during time spent at the swimming pool, both resting and swimming in different modes. In the present paper the A.A. report data about CHCl3 exposure, intake and uptake bin five agonistic swimmers (three males and two females), members of the same sport association, and regularly attending the same indoor swimming pool in Modena. The five subjects have been examined during four different sessions. Within every session the samples were collected in five different moments according to the following scheme: 1) Hygiene Institute: samples of blood, alveolar air, environmental air. 2) Swimming pool, after 1 hour sitting near the pool edge: samples of alveolar air, environmental air (within 1 m on the water surface). 3) Swimming pool, after 1 hour swimming: samples of blood, alveolar air, environmental air (within 1 m on the water surface). 4) Hygiene Institute, 1 hour after the end of the swimming time: samples of alveolar air, environmental air. 5) Hygiene Institute, 30 min after the previous sampling: samples of alveolar air, environmental air. Spirometric parameters have been evaluated in every subject, after resting and swimming (point 2 and 3). CHCl3 uptake has been calculated using the following formula: U = V(CI--CA)t where: U = uptake (microgram/h) V = pulmonary ventilation (l/min) CI = inspired (environmental) concentration (microgram/m3) CA = alveolar concentration (microgram/m3) t = exposure time (min) CHCl3 levels after swimming always appeared quite high; however low levels were evidenced also before exposure (point 1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

There is a general agreement that children are a population at increased risk with respect to lead and cadmium exposure and to adverse health effects resulting from increased exposure. Different biological indicators such as blood hair and teeth have been used to evaluate lead and cadmium exposure in humans. However, up to date, it has not been established which is the best indicator to provide an assessment of internal exposure. The aim of the present study was to examine the levels of lead and cadmium in hair, blood and teeth of children living from birth in an industrialized area near Modena. The relationship between these indicators of exposure and children characteristics such as sex, weight, height, blood pressure and smoking habits of parents was also examined. 142 children (71 males and 71 females) representing 20.8% of those aged 6-7 years living in Sassuolo (Modena) have been included in the study. The geometric means of lead in blood, hair and teeth were 11.2 micrograms/dl, 7.24 micrograms/g and 6.16 micrograms/g, respectively. Hair lead were significantly related to both blood and teeth values (r = 0.226, p = 0.007 and r = 0.186, p = 0.027, respectively). Mean cadmium concentrations were 0.47 mu/l in blood, 0.17 micrograms/g in hair and 47.9 ng/g in teeth and no significant correlation was observed between the three biological matrixes examined. Significant correlations were found between lead and cadmium in both hair (r = 0.427, p = 0.000) and teeth (r = 0.224, p = 0.007). In addition, for lead content in teeth, a significant difference between boys and girls was observed; females showed higher values than males (6.77 micrograms/g vs 5.61 micrograms/g; t = 2.23 p = 0.028). Taking into account the individual characteristics of children, a negative relationship was found between Pb levels in teeth and height (r = -0.217, p = 0.024). Systolic blood pressure values were positively associated to cadmium hair levels in males but not in females (r = 0.281; p = 0.053). From the results of the present study it appears that blood, hair and teeth provide different information to predict lead and cadmium exposure of children. Hair seem to be a useful global indicator of total environmental pollution.