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As one of the functions integrating energy management systems, state estimation (SE) is instrumental in monitoring power networks, allowing the best possible use of energy resources. It plays a decisive role in debugging if sufficient data are available, ruined if not. Criticality analysis (CA) integrates SE as a module in which elements of the estimation process—taken one-by-one or grouped (tuples of minimal multiple cardinality)—are designated essential. The combinatorial nature of extensive CA (ExtCA), derestricted from identifying only low-cardinality critical tuples, characterizes its computational complexity and imposes defiant limits in implementing it. This paper presents the methodology for ExtCA and compares algorithms to find an efficient solution for expanding the boundaries of this analysis problem. The algorithms used for comparison are one sequential Branch&Bound (a well-known paradigm for combinatorial optimization recently used in ExtCA) and two new parallels implemented on the central processing unit (CPU) and the graphics processing unit (GPU). The conceived parallel architecture favors evaluating massive combinations of diverse cardinality measuring unit (MU) tuples in ExtCA. The acronym MU refers to the aggregate of devices deployed at substations, such as a remote terminal unit, intelligent electronic device, and phasor measurement unit. The numerical results obtained in the paper show significant speed-ups with the novel parallel GPU algorithm, tested on different and real-scale power grids. Since, the visualization of the ExtCA results is still not a well-explored field, this work also presents a novel way of graphically depicting spots of weak observability using MU-oriented ExtCA.

State estimation (SE) is the most practical way of knowing real-time power system conditions. It retains common and gross measurement errors, providing the most likely system operating state. This paper aims at scholars interested in the principles and ideas underlying SE. The implementation of a friendly educational tool for SE teaching and learning (free and open-source software) is presented. The whole estimation process, modular-structured, contemplates generating a measuring system input data, observability/criticality analysis, weighted least squares state filtering, and estimation residual analysis. Through the Tool's graphical interactive design, the user can easily edit (change) the SE input data and immediately perceive the impact of such changes on the estimation process from the data visualization. Network configuration and branch parameter values, availability of measurements, their values, and standard deviations are among the editable data. The user may gain insight into the problem under study by repeatedly executing the estimation process. Test cases using typical power grids are included. Simulations of gross measurement/topology errors and cyber-attacks illustrate the practical usefulness of this educational Tool.

Purpose: The current and modern electrical distribution networks, named smart grids (SGs), use advanced technologies to accomplish all the technical and nontechnical challenges naturally demanded by energy applications. Energy metering collecting is one of these challenges ranging from the most basic (i.e., visual assessment) to the expensive advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) using intelligent meters networks. The AMIs’ data acquisition and system monitoring environment require enhancing some routine tasks. This paper aims to propose a methodology that uses a distributed and sustainable approach to manage wide-range metering networks, focused on using current public or private telecommunication infrastructure, optimizing the implementation and operation, increasing reliability and decreasing costs. Design/methodology/approach: Inspired by blockchain technology, a collaborative metering system architecture is conceived, managing massive data sets collected from the grid. The use of cryptography handles data integrity and security issues. Findings: A robust proof-of-concept simulation results are presented concerning the resilience and performance of the proposed distributed remote metering system. Originality/value: The methodology proposed in this work is an innovative AMI solution related to SGs. Regardless of the implementation, operation and maintenance of AMIs, the proposed solution is unique, using legacy and new technologies together in a reliable way.

Intelligent electrical power grids, widely referred to as smart grids (SGs), rely on digital technology resources, especially communication and measurement devices, becoming a cyber-physical energy system. Massive data flow between grid elements makes smart grids more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Power system state estimation (SE)—an essential function of energy management systems—is one of these data integrity attacks’ targets. Integrity validation routines can fail when insufficient redundancy levels are reached, and spurious data occur. These levels are associated with critical data, i.e., those whose unavailability makes the grid unobservable. Data redundancy is a metric that gives a precarious indication that SE can run. Alternatively, it is more appropriate to quantify this function strength concerning its results’ reliability, which can be achieved by criticality analysis (CA). This paper proposes a novel approach to visualize the results of an extensive CA through representative graphs; they facilitate understanding the usefulness of CA. Critical sets of measurements are generalized, and several metrics are proposed to reveal measuring system vulnerabilities, assisting the design of protection schemes to resist cyber-attacks. Simulations attained on the IEEE-30bus system evince significant improvements in the interpretation/use of CA.

Background: Nursing home (NH) residents have been dramatically affected by COVID-19, with extremely high rates of hospitalization and mortality. Aims: To describe the features and impact of an assistance model involving an intermediate care mobile medical specialist team (GIROT, Gruppo Intervento Rapido Ospedale Territorio) aimed at delivering “hospital-at-nursing home” care to NH residents with COVID-19 in Florence, Italy. Methods: The GIROT activity was set-up during the first wave of the pandemic (W1, March–April 2020) and became a structured healthcare model during the second (W2, October 2020–January 2021). The activity involved (1) infection transmission control among NHs residents and staff, (2) comprehensive geriatric assessment including prognostication and geriatric syndromes management, (3) on-site diagnostic assessment and protocol-based treatment of COVID-19, (4) supply of nursing personnel to understaffed NHs. To estimate the impact of the GIROT intervention, we reported hospitalization and infection lethality rates recorded in SARS-CoV-2-positive NH residents during W1 and W2. Results: The GIROT activity involved 21 NHs (1159 residents) and 43 NHs (2448 residents) during W1 and W2, respectively. The percentage of infected residents was higher in W2 than in W1 (64.5% vs. 38.8%), while both hospitalization and lethality rates significantly decreased in W2 compared to W1 (10.1% vs 58.2% and 23.4% vs 31.1%, respectively). Discussion: Potentiating on-site care in the NHs paralleled a decrease of hospital admissions with no increase of lethality. Conclusions: An innovative “hospital-at-nursing home” patient-centred care model based on comprehensive geriatric assessment may provide a valuable contribution in fighting COVID-19 in NH residents.

Soybean (Glycine max) is an edible legume belonging to the Fabaceae family. Soybean is a protein source and can be included as ingredient in a wide variety of processed foods. Soy and soy protein formulas can potentially induce food allergies, even though severe and/or fatal anaphylaxis reactions are rare. Soy is also widely consumed by children (soy-based formulas have been introduced in infant nutrition). Furthermore, soy can also be detected in food as an occult contaminant due to cross contamination processes. The aim of the research has been to evaluate the presence of this allergen in products belonging to the category of cereal-based foods, not-declaring presence of soy, using a validated method and proposing an internal quality control material that can be used in the context of control activities. A total of 65 samples belonging to the category of cereals and cereal-based foods (wheat flour, semolina, spelt, rice and pasta): 23 samples for the validation and 42 sample for monitoring were collected at retail stores in the metropolitan Rome area in Italy. Presence of soy in food samples was measured by an immunoenzymatic technique (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, ELISA). The method used was preliminarily verified and validated in accordance with the main harmonized standards. A material for internal quality control was preliminarily designed. Validation confirmed the suitability of the method for official control. Only 3 samples out of a total of 42 (about 7%) were positive in terms of soybean presence. Moreover, a material for internal quality control has been characterized and preliminary results have been encouraging in terms of recovery and repeatability.

ABSTRACTThe decline in children’s vaccination coverage and the resurgence of preventable infectious diseases draw attention to parents’ vaccine hesitancy. Our study introduces two validated tools to independently assess vaccine hesitancy and health literacy among parents with school-age children. We developed a Vaccine Confidence Index (VCI) from 10 Likert items, exploring their relationships through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. We modified the IMETER (Italian medical term recognition test) to measure health literacy. We assessed the internal consistency of the modified IMETER and the 10 Likert items using Cronbach’s alpha test (α) and McDonald’s omega total coefficient (ω) with good results (ω = 0.92, α = 0.90; ω = 0.87, α = 0.82 respectively). We used these tools within a questionnaire conducted on 743 parents recruited from pediatric clinic waiting rooms in Italy, collecting demographic data, information sources on vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases knowledge. The VCI resulting from factor analyses consisted of six items on a ten-point Likert scale, reflecting the ratio of positive to negative items. The survey revealed significant variations in the VCI according to individual features such as education, use of social networks, or Health institutions as sources of information. Multivariate logistic regression identified an association between vaccine intention and the VCI. Health literacy was functional for 91.2% of participants, but knowledge about vaccine-preventable diseases was generally low. The VCI showed no significant association with health literacy and vaccine-preventable diseases knowledge. The VCI and the modified IMETER effectively assess vaccination attitude and health literacy, offering valuable public health tools for tailoring vaccination campaigns to hesitant population subgroups.

Immune function testing (Immuknow) optimizes immunosuppression and significantly improves patient survival and decreases the incidence of infectious complications after liver transplantation.

Quantitative data on volatile compounds have been reported in 16 food items. No publications reporting quantitative data were found for two of these 16 food products, i.e. avocado and jackfruit. About 550 volatile compounds have been assayed globally in the other 14 food products. Mango and raspberry were the products with the greatest number of volatile compounds; the most representative substances were benzaldehyde, ethyl acetate, limonene, and 2-phenylethanol.

In this paper we present a compilation of quantitative literature data on volatile compounds in 15 food items including some brandies, meats, oils as well as vegetables, vinegar and potatoes. Levels of the volatile compounds identified (approximately 900) in this group of food items are generally in the ppm range. Carboxylic acids were present in much higher levels in plum brandy, vinegar, lamb and mutton (heated), whereas alcohols, esters and carbonyls aldehydes are particularly abundant in brandy.

This paper is a compilation of quantitative data available on volatile compounds reported so far in 18 food items including some legumes, cereals, grapes and cheeses as well as crab, lobster, cocoa and chocolate. No publications reporting quantitative data were found for five of these 18 food products, i.e. sultana grape, broad beans, cassava, oat and rye. About 440 volatile compounds have been assayed globally in the other 13 food products and more than 50% of them were found in grape or in grape juice. Levels of these voltatile compounds in the selected foods were generally in the ppb range and less often in the low ppm range. Very high levels were found for some carboxylic acids in cheeses and cocoa and for some alcohols and acids as well as for ethyl acetate in grape juice.

This article presents the new Italian database of physical agents, which is available at http://www.portalea-gentifisici.it. It supports in risk assessment employers who have to comply with Italy’s Legislative Decree 81/2008 (transposing into law European Union Directives 2003/10/EC, 2002/44/EC, 2004/40/EC and 2006/25/EC). The database currently contains measurements and declared European Community (EC) values from over 2540 machines; in particular, the database hosts data on mechanical vibration from over 1430 hand-held power tools (e.g., pneumatic and electric hammers, chainsaws, grinders, drills, sanders and saws) and from over 1020 whole-body machines (e.g., buses, fork lifts and wheel tractors). The database is continuously updated as soon as new experimental and declared data are acquired.

This work presents a methodology for long-term voltage security analysis of large-scale power systems. The proposed approach is based on the combination of different static methods (P–V and Q–V curves) and on the adequate modeling, in power flow studies, of real-time control actions taken by system operators. Tests using real cases, in which the interconnected Brazilian system has experimented operating problems, are employed to illustrate and validate the proposed approach. It can be seen that knowledge representation is essential to foresee adverse operating scenarios and that the combination of different static methods can provide helpful information for decision making in a real-time environment.

This prospective study compared diagnostic and prognostic value of conventional cytologic (CC) examination and flow cytometry (FCM) of baseline samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 174 patients with newly diagnosed aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). FCM detected a neoplastic population in the CSF of 18 of 174 patients (10%), CC only in 7 (4%; P< .001); 11 patients (14%) were discordant (FCM+/CC−). At a median follow-up of 46 months, there were 64 systemic progressions and 10 CNS relapses, including 2 patients with both systemic and CNS relapses. Two-year progression-free and overall survival were significantly higher in patients with FCM−CSF (62% and 72%) compared with those FCM+CSF (39% and 50%, respectively), with a 2-year CNS relapse cumulative incidence of 3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0-7) versus 17% (95% CI, 0-34; P= .004), respectively. The risk of CNS progression was significantly higher in FMC+/CC−versus FCM−/CC−patients (hazard ratio = 8.16, 95% CI, 1.45-46). In conclusion, FCM positivity in the CSF of patients with high-risk NHL is associated with a significantly higher CNS relapse risk and poorer outcome. The combination of IV drugs with a higher CNS bioavailability and intrathecal chemotherapy is advisable to prevent CNS relapses in FCM+patients.

Variant Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome translocations have been reported in 5%-10% of patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Variant translocations may involve one or more chromosomes in addition to 9 and 22, and can be generated by 2 different mechanisms, 1-step and 2-step rearrangements, as revealed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The prognostic significance of the occurrence of variant translocations has been discussed in previous studies. The European LeukemiaNet recommendations do not provide a “warning” for patients with variant translocations, but there is limited information about their outcome after therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. To identify the role of variant translocations in early chronic phase (CP) CML patients treated with imatinib mesylate, we performed an analysis in a large series of 559 patients enrolled in 3 prospective imatinib trials of the Gruppo Italiano Malattie EMatologiche dell'Adulto (GIMEMA) Working Party on CML. Variant translocations occurred in 30 patients (5%). Our data show that the presence of variant translocations has no impact on the cytogenetic and molecular response or on outcome, regardless of the involvement of different mechanisms, the number of involved chromosomes, or the presence of deletions. Therefore, we suggest that patients with variant translocations do not constitute a “warning” category in the imatinib era. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00514488 and NCT00510926.

In chronic myeloid leukemia, different methods are available to monitor the response to therapy: chromosome banding analysis (CBA), interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (I-FISH), and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-Q-PCR). The GIMEMA CML WP (Gruppo Italiano Malattie Ematologiche Adulto Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Working Party) has performed a prospective study to compare CBA and I-FISH for the definition of complete cytogenetic response (CCgR). Samples (n = 664) were evaluated simultaneously by CBA and I-FISH. Of 537 cases in CCgR, the number of positive nuclei by I-FISH was less than 1% in 444 cases (82.7%). Of 451 cases with less than 1% positive nuclei by I-FISH, 444 (98.4%) were classified as CCgR by CBA. The major molecular response rate was significantly greater in cases with I-FISH less than 1% than in those with I-FISH 1% to 5% (66.8% vs 51.6%, P < .001) and in cases with CCgR and I-FISH less than 1% than in cases with CCgR and I-FISH 1% to 5% (66.1% vs 49.4%, P = .004). I-FISH is more sensitive than CBA and can be used to monitor CCgR. With appropriate probes, the cutoff value of I-FISH may be established at 1%. These trials are registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00514488 and NCT00510926.

To evaluate the role of menopause on the regional composition and distribution of fat in women and eventual correlations with the oxidative state.

The Italian vibration database is presented. It is hosted by a web server at the National Institute of Occupational Prevention and Safety (ISPESL) in Rome, Italy (http://www.ispesl.it/vibrationdatabase). It supports in risk assessment employers who have to comply with Legislative Decree 187/05, now replaced by Legislative Decree 81/08, which transposes into law Vibration Directive 2002/44/EC. The database currently contains measurements and EC-declared values from over 980 hand-held power tools (such as pneumatic and electric hammers, chainsaws, grinders, drills, sanders and saws) and from over 420 vehicles (such as buses, forklifts and wheel tractors). The database is continuously updated as soon as new experimental and declared data are acquired.

Most follicular lymphomas (FLs) have a phenotype consistent with the origin from CD5-, CD10+, bcl-6+ follicular center cells and can progress to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). CD5 is expressed in about 10% of DLBCLs, showing prognostic value, whereas expression is rare in FL. We present 6 cases with coexisting features of CD5+ FL and CD5+ DLBCL, supporting a follicular origin for some CD5+ DLBCLs. The follicular areas showed a meshwork of CD21+ follicular dendritic cells that were lacking in the DLBCL areas. All cases showed a clonal CD19+, CD20+, CD5+, and CD10+ population in both follicular and diffuse areas. Molecularly, 4 of 6 cases demonstrated immunoglobulin heavy chain rearrangements and 1 case, a bcl-2/immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement. Somatic hypermutations were high in all 4 cases, in keeping with their germinal center origin. Four of five patients died of disease within 42 months, consistent with the proposed prognostic value of CD5 expression in DLBCL. Our data describe an aggressive variant of CD5+ FL suggesting the follicular origin of some CD5+ DLBCLs.

Even though flow cytometric (FC) analysis of bone marrow aspirates is often performed in hematolymphoid disorders at diagnosis and during disease monitoring, its role has not been defined during the staging of B-non–Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) and B-cell lymphoproliferative diseases. The goal of this study was to provide an objective evaluation of how FC might help in the detection of bone marrow involvement by the different types of B-cell malignant neoplasms. Fifty-four staging and 156 restaging bone marrow biopsies and bone marrow aspirates, obtained from 185 consecutive patients, were analyzed retrospectively. The results of the morphologic examination and FC were reviewed independently, and their ability to detect bone marrow involvement was compared. FC and morphology agreed in 176 cases (83.8%), i.e., both showed 77 positive cases and 99 negative ones. Discrepant results were obtained in 30 cases (14.2%) in which morphologic examination showed 25 (11.9%) positive cases, whereas FC showed no evidence of disease. FC detected involvement in five cases (2.4%) in the presence of a histologically negative bone marrow biopsy. All morphologically undetermined bone marrow cases (four) were negative by FC. Neither morphologic examination nor FC alone is adequate for the detection of all cases of B-lymphoid neoplasm bone marrow involvement. FC failed to detect bone marrow involvement in those B-NHL cases having focal paratrabecular infiltration, but proved to be more sensitive than histology in detecting small clonal B-cells in B-NHL, which demonstrated fewer than 5% neoplastic infiltrates. The clinical relevance of minimal disease detected by FC alone needs further evaluation because staging of lymphomas currently is based only on morphologic data. Cytometry Part B (Clin. Cytometry) 54B:10–18, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Sample contamination as a consequence of abrasion of grinding tools during the homogenization of food materials to be analysed for trace elements was addressed. The possible release of 15 trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, V, Zn) from six different grinding and milling devices, operating either continuously or discontinuously, was evaluated. All the devices were commercially available and were representative of models usually employed in food and agricultural laboratories. Wheat grains belonging to one soft and one durum cultivar were used as test material. The determination of the analyte concentrations in subsamples submitted to the different preparation treatments was performed by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Q-ICPMS). Accordingly, a suitable digestion method was developed and the ArC+ interference affecting Cr determination was evaluated and corrected. Statistical differences with respect to the control were detected for 10 elements (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb) and in most cases contamination of the samples was traced back to the composition of the grinding equipment. None of the investigated devices was contamination-free with respect to all of the quantified elements. Abrasion of the grinding tools was higher with durum wheat than with soft wheat as a consequence of their different hardness.

Recent studies have shown that an increased concentration of environmental particulate matter (PM10) is related to many respiratory diseases. One major issue is whether the toxicity of the particles resides in some particular fraction as defined by chemical composition and size. The overall purpose of this study was to compare the in vitrotoxicity of coarse (PM2.5–10) and fine (PM2.5) particulate matter, collected in an urban area of Rome, in relation to their physicochemical composition as assessed by analytic electron microscopy and atomic absorption spectroscopy. In particular, our aim was to evaluate the importance of particle physicochemical components in the induced toxicity. The in vitrotoxicity assays used included human red blood cell hemolysis, cell viability, and nitric oxide (NO) release in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. The hemolytic potential has been widely used as an in vitrotoxicity screen and as a useful indicator of oxidative damage to biomembranes. We found that human erythrocytes underwent dose-dependent hemolysis when they were incubated with varying concentrations of fine and coarse particles. The hemolytic potential was greater for the fine particles than for the coarse particles in equal mass concentration. However, when data were expressed in terms of PM surface per volume unit of suspension, the two fractions did not show any significant hemolytic differences. This result suggested that the oxidative stress induced by PM on the cell membranes could be due mainly to the interaction between the particle surfaces and the cell membranes. RAW 264.7 macrophage cells challenged with particles showed decreased viability and an increased release of NO, a key inflammatory mediator, and both effects were not dose dependent in the tested concentration range. The fine particles were the most effective and the differences beween the two size fractions in inducing these biological effects remained unchanged when the basis of comparison was changed from weight to surface measures. It seemed therefore that these differences relied on the different physicochemical nature of the particles. The main chemical difference between the two fractions resided in a greater abundance of C-rich particles with S traces in the fine fraction. Therefore, we cautiously suggest a role for these particles in the induction of toxicity.

L. CROCI, P. SERRATORE, L. COZZI, A. STACCHINI, S. MILANDRI, E. SUFFREDINI AND L. TOTI. 2001.

The theoretical risk of exceeding the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for sulphites has mostly been examined on the basis of a worst-case scenario. In order to examine the real situation the determination of residue sulphite levels in ready-to-consume foods is required. The aim of this paper is to assess the actual sulphite content of diets obtained from a combination of realistic meals high in sulphite-containing foods. Food products available in Italy containing added sulphites were identified. Overall, 211 samples of foods and beverages (including 85 samples of wine) were collected. The determination of sulphite residues was carried out on the foods which were prepared according to normal domestic practice. It was shown that the diets obtained from these foods would lead to an intake of 23mg/day in children and 50mg/day in adults (both slightly above the ADI for respectively a 30kg child and a 60kg adult). Among all sulphite-containing foods, the highest contributors to the intake were dried fruit and wine, both ingested without further treatment. The analysis of specific consumption data confirmed the existence of a risk of exceeding the ADI related to sulphite residue levels in wine.

The cadmium content of muscle, liver, kidney and blood samples from 62 horses slaughtered in Italy was investigated. Cadmium was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) after wet digestion of the samples. The mean and median contents of all samples were (on a fresh weight basis) 75 and 41 μgkg-1 for muscle, 2.46 and 2.10 mgkg-1 for liver, 20.0 and 13.5 mgkg-1 for kidney. The cadmium level in blood samples was always below 6 μgl-1. The cadmium concentrations in muscle, liver and kidney were found to be related to the life span of the specimens and increased with age. Females exhibited higher levels than males, but this difference was significant only in the case of muscle tissue. The geographical origin was recognized as the main factor influencing the cadmium content of the equine specimens analysed. The differences between horses coming from the three main breeding countries considered in this study (Poland, Lithuania, Hungary) were marked and statistically significant. The average intake of cadmium from equine meat was estimated for the general population and for population groups resident in areas with high consumption of this food item. While the cadmium intake from equine meat for the average consumer accounts for about 1% of the total cadmium intake estimated for Italy, in the latter case the enhanced consumption of equine muscle is often accompanied with the consumption of substantial quantities of equine liver and this may lead to high cadmium intakes.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the lead intake from crystalware resulting from short-term contacts with beverages, under conditions that are likely to occur to a consumer. The extraction ability of different kinds of beverages was estimated by comparison with 4% acetic acid under conditions of continuous contact for 3h. It was found that lead release increased in the following order: cola drink > HAc> whisky> white wine. Under conditions of repeated use under different scenarios, lead release showed a steep decrease with increasing number of contacts, for both wine and cola drink. The maximum lead intake resulted from the cola drink, corresponding to an ingestion of 14.5 μg Pb for consumption of 350ml beverage. Assuming a fixed contribution from the diet of 71 μg/day, in the six scenarios taken into consideration, total daily lead intake levels ranged from a minimum of about 76 μg up to a maximum of 86 μg lead. As these values, converted on a weekly basis, would correspond to 35% and 40% PTWI respectively, significant health risks resulting from the ingestion of beverages in contact with crystalware can be excluded. Finally it was found that the use of a dishwasher did not affect significantly the release of lead into wine, while release into cola drink was slightly but significantly increased after the third cycle.

This article reports on a general method of evaluating exposure to infrared radiation (IR-A, IR-B, IR-C) from high temperature (T>1000°C) black body sources, simply by performing measurements with a luxometric and/or near IR detector. The method, which may be applied to any black body source, uses the universality of the Planck formula for the black body spectrum, which allows estimation of the radiated power in any wavelength range by measuring the power radiated in another range. This capability may be very useful when the range of interest is one in which radiometers are expensive and difficult to calibrate, as for the IR-B and IR-C ranges, because a more commonly available luxometer can be used instead. The results of measurements and evaluations in two traditional Italian glass factories are reported and compared with the threshold limit value given by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Intense exposures in the IR-B and IR-C ranges has been found for some workers, exceeding the limit by a large factor. This exposure must be reduced, as it has been shown by epidemiologic studies that there is indeed a correlation between cataractogenesis and work with fused glass and metals.