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During nanomaterial (NM) production, workers could be exposed, particularly by inhalation, to NMs and other chemicals used in the synthesis process, so it is important to have suitable biomarkers to monitor potential toxic effects. Aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the introduction of exposure mitigation measures on workers unintentionally exposed to graphene co-pollutants during production process monitoring the presumable reduction of workplace NM contamination and of early genotoxic and oxidative effects previously found on these workers. We used Buccal Micronucleus Cytome (BMCyt) assay and Fpg-comet test, resulted the most sensitive biomarkers on our first biomonitoring work, to measure the genotoxic effects. We also detected urinary oxidized nucleic acid bases 8-oxoGua, 8-oxoGuo and 8-oxodGuo to evaluate oxidative damage. The genotoxic and oxidative effects were assessed on the same graphene workers (

Starting from an analysis of communication in Italy during the COVID-19 emergency period (February–June 2020), this paper provides an overview of the main challenges and opportunities for communication during pandemics. The purpose of this study is to perform a literature review contributing to the identification of practical recommendations for the improvement of current risk communication strategies. Given the variety of the parties involved in communication and the peculiarity of the theme, an integrated analysis approach was adopted, based on the connections between institutional, scientific and mass communication. On one hand, the “emotional” character of Italian institutional communication aimed at promoting solidarity and unity among citizens. On the other hand, scientific communication played a key role both as a technical and scientific consultation for the policymaker, and as a guide for mass communication. Nevertheless, a lack of awareness emerged from the institutional and scientific side of the importance of an interface between science and effective, transparent policy. It thus becomes necessary to develop new and effective communication strategies aimed at facing uncertainties and the challenges of risk communication in epidemics and pandemics. Such strategies should consider interaction between public health, human and social sciences, political science, law, ethics, communication and media studies, as each of these areas may give an important contribution to the understanding of the context in which communication occurs.

Few-Layers Graphene (FLG) are able to improve the performance of materials, due to their chemical-physical properties. Engineered amorphous silica nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) are among the most widespread nanomaterials (NMs) in the world. Such nanomaterials are two case studies of the research project ‘NanoKey’ that integrated the exposure assessment through personal measurements and sampling in the workplace, as described in the present work (part I), with the biomonitoring of exposed workers (reported in part II). Measurement campaigns were conducted according to OECD and WHO harmonized approach in two production sites. The set of instruments included real-time devices for high-resolution measurements at the nanoscale and time-integrated samplers for the off-line gravimetric analysis and chemical and morphological (SEM-EDS) characterization of exposure in order to identify the contribution of production compared to the background. Values of particle number concentration (PNC) and lung deposited surface area (LDSA) within the FLG production resulted higher than the background far field (FF), even if they are always similar to the near field (NF) ones: the average diameter (Davg) during the production was higher than the NF background but always lower than the FF values. SEM-EDS analysis highlighted the presence of structures comparable to those produced. During the SiO2NPs production, the PBZ values showed PNC and LDSA levels higher than the background, with a decrease in the Davg probably due to NPs emission. SEM-EDS confirms the presence of rare silica nanoparticles. Since the exposure to airborne NMs cannot be excluded in both production sites, a prevention-through-design approach to mitigate the potential risk for workers has been recommended.

IntroductionThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is an impacting challenge for occupational health. Epidemiological surveillance of COVID-19 includes systematic tracking and reporting of the total cases and deaths, but suitable experiences of surveillance systems for identifying the occupational risk factors involved in the COVID-19 pandemic are still missing, despite the interest for occupational safety and health.MethodsA methodological approach has been implemented in Italy to estimate the occupational risk of infection, classifying each economic sector as at low, medium-low, medium-high and high risk, based on three parameters: exposure probability, proximity index and aggregation factor. Furthermore, during the epidemic emergency, the Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority introduced the notation of COVID-19 work-related infection as an occupational injury and collected compensation claims of workers from the entire national territory.ResultsAccording to compensation claims applications, COVID-19 infection in Italy has been acquired at the workplace in a substantial portion of the total cases (19.4%). The distribution of the economic sectors involved is coherent with the activities classified at risk in the lockdown period. The economic sectors mostly involved were human health and social work activities, but occupational compensation claims also include cases in meat and poultry processing plants workers, store clerks, postal workers, pharmacists and cleaning workers.ConclusionsThere is a need to go towards an occupational surveillance system for COVID-19 cases, including an individual anamnestic analysis of the circumstances in which the infection is acquired, for the prevention of occupational infectious risk, supporting insurance system effectiveness and managing vaccination policies.

The IMPAcT-RLS2 survey is part of a larger context of INSuLa2 research program; its first edition was conducted in 2014 and targeted to all prevention professionals, investigating occupational health and safety (OSH) protection issues perceived by the various professionals' point of view. The survey addressed to Health and Safety Representatives (HS reps.), focused on three regional contexts, was further implemented in 2016 through the IMPAcT-RLS survey, which involved a sample representative at national level, by company size and economic activity sector consisting of about 2,100 subjects. The survey highlighted the importance of having ever more in-depth information on the role of HS reps. and monitoring their evolution over time. This study arises from the need to create periodic and replicable surveys, aimed at increasing knowledge and awareness of prevention systems and promoting increasingly targeted interventions for improving the protection of OSH.L’Indagine IMPAcT-RLS2 si inserisce nel pi ampio programma di ricerca INSuLa2, la cui prima edizione, condotta nel 2014 e rivolta a tutti gli attori della prevenzione, ha approfondito aspetti della tutela della salute e sicurezza sul lavoro (SSL) secondo il punto di vista delle varie figure intervistate. La survey indirizzata ai Rappresentanti dei lavoratori per la sicurezza (RLS), focalizzata inizialmente su tre contesti regionali, stata implementata grazie all’indagine IMPAcT-RLS, realizzata nel 2016, che ha coinvolto un campione di circa 2.100 soggetti, rappresentativo a livello nazionale, per dimensione aziendale e settore di attivit economica. L’indagine ha evidenziato l’importanza di disporre di informazioni sempre pi approfondite sul ruolo dei RLS e di monitorarne l’andamento nel tempo. Il presente studio ribadisce l’importanza di istituire rilevazioni periodiche e replicabili, finalizzate ad aumentare le conoscenze e la consapevolezza sui sistemi di prevenzione e promuovere interventi sempre pi mirati per il miglioramento della tutela della SSL.

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) represent a frequent complication for hospitalized patients and more rarely for workers. In recent years, substantial scientific evidence has been reached regarding the role played by the inanimate surfaces, especially those touched in patient-care areas, in the transmission of nosocomial pathogens. Therefore, it is essential to find new collective protective measures to minimize microbial contamination in healthcare facilities, thereby preventing the spread of multi-drug resistant bacteria. We present an overview of the major nano-enabled AntiMicrobial Coatings (AMCs) which may be used as collective protective measures in healthcare setting, discussing also some aspects related to their effectiveness and safety. AMCs may be classified within three groups on base of their mechanism of action: surfaces releasing active compound, contact-killing surfaces and anti-adhesive surfaces. To date, little information is available on the effectiveness of AMCs to reduce the risk of HAIs since the most of studies do not reach conclusive results on their beneficial effects. Moreover, the lack of standard protocols for assessing antimicrobial efficacy and poor data about the interaction between AMCs and disinfectants prevent their placing on the market. Further studies are needed for assessing risks and benefits of AMCs as collective protective measures in healthcare setting.

Silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs), due to their chemical-physical properties, are among the most widely produced nanomaterials (NMs) in the world, and therefore used in a wide range of industries. Such widespread use, however, draws attention to the health of workers during the production of such NMs and the need for techniques to assess occupational exposure. In the present study, laboratory simulation techniques were used to reproduce a critical work activity in a controlled environment in order to identify emission profiles useful for studying exposure during NM handling in the workplace. Weighing activity inside a glove box isolated from the external environment background and any pollutants was simulated. Real-time instrumentation was used to calculate the concentration, size distribution and surface area of the particles generated during the simulation, and time-integrated instrumentation was used to collect dust for off-line analysis.

The aim of this study is to map the coverage of occupational safety and health (OSH) rules and provisions and their enforcement at a country level worldwide. Members’ participation in the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) activities was also investigated. We used a questionnaire-based survey to collect data. An online questionnaire was administered from February 14 to March 18, 2018 to all ICOH members for the triennium 2015 to 2017 (n = 1929). We received 384 completed questionnaires from 79 countries, with a 20% response rate. To synthesize information about the coverage of OSH rules and provisions and their level of enforcement, a synthetic coverage index was calculated and combined with country, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and the human development index (HDI). We used multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) to analyze the members’ participation in ICOH activities. More than 90.0% of the sample declared that in their own country there is a set of rules and provisions regulating OSH in the workplace, and training procedures and tools to improve workers’ awareness. However, these rules and training procedures are mainly “partially” enforced and utilized (39.0% and 45.4%). There was no statistically significant association between country and GDP per capita and the synthetic coverage index, whilst controlling for HDI. The level of engagement in ICOH activities is higher in senior members (aged 65 years or older), coming from high-income countries, having held a position within ICOH, with a higher level of education and a researcher position. An integrated and multidisciplinary approach, which includes research, education and training, is needed to address OSH issues and their impact both at global and country level.

Significance We use a mathematical model to evaluate the Italian exit strategy after the lockdown imposed against the COVID-19 epidemics, comparing it to a number of alternative scenarios. We highlight that a successful reopening requires two critical conditions: a low value of the reproduction number and a low incidence of infection. The first is needed to allow some margin for expansion after the lifting of restrictions; the second is needed because the level of incidence will be maintained approximately constant after the reproduction number has grown to values close to one. Furthermore, we suggest that, even with significant reductions of transmission rates, resuming social contacts at prepandemic levels escalates quickly the COVID-19 burden., After the national lockdown imposed on March 11, 2020, the Italian government has gradually resumed the suspended economic and social activities since May 4, while maintaining the closure of schools until September 14. We use a model of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission to estimate the health impact of different exit strategies. The strategy adopted in Italy kept the reproduction number Rt at values close to one until the end of September, with marginal regional differences. Based on the estimated postlockdown transmissibility, reopening of workplaces in selected industrial activities might have had a minor impact on the transmissibility. Reopening educational levels in May up to secondary schools might have influenced SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility only marginally; however, including high schools might have resulted in a marked increase of the disease burden. Earlier reopening would have resulted in disproportionately higher hospitalization incidence. Given community contacts in September, we project a large second wave associated with school reopening in the fall.

Graphene is a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb pattern and its unique and amazing properties make it suitable for a wide range of applications ranging from electronic devices to food packaging. However, the biocompatibility of graphene is dependent on the complex interplay of its several physical and chemical properties. The main aim of the present study is to highlight the importance of integrating different characterization techniques to describe the potential release of airborne graphene flakes in a graphene processing and production research laboratory. Specifically, the production and processing (i.e., drying) of few-layer graphene (FLG) through liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite are analysed by integrated characterization techniques. For this purpose, the exposure measurement strategy was based on the multi-metric tiered approach proposed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) via integrating high-frequency real-time measurements and personal sampling. Particle number concentration, average diameter and lung deposition surface area time series acquired in the worker's personal breathing zone (PBZ) were compared simultaneously to background measurements, showing the potential release of FLG. Then, electron microscopy techniques and Raman spectroscopy were applied to characterize particles collected by personal inertial impactors to investigate the morphology, chemical composition and crystal structure of rare airborne graphene flakes. The gathered information provides a valuable basis for improving risk management strategies in research and industrial laboratories.

In the last years nanotechnologies and nanoproducts are constantly growing up thanks to their promising benefits for social and economic development. Nanomaterials are increasingly used in our daily life, finding application in many sectors such as textile, automotive, electronic, food, etc. In 2012, the European Commission included nanotechnologies among the Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), which provide the basis for innovation in the present century. In parallel to the growing interest at industrial and production level (estimated at about 11 million of tons per year) the number of workers potentially exposed in all nanomaterials life cycle has increased. Concurrently, concerns about the potential effects on human health arose, attracting the attention by the scientific community, in particular on health and safety issues in workplaces. In Italy the industrial market has evolved in the same direction with important economic investments both public and private. Consequently, numerous research groups belonging to the University, Institutions and Research Centers were involved in the study of the main issues to promote a responsible development of nanomaterials. In this framework, the main aim of this study is to highlight the commitment of Italian research in the field of health and safety of engineered nanomaterials, through the initiatives of Italian Workers Compensation Authority (INAIL) for sustainable development of nanotechnologies.Le nanotecnologie sono in costante evoluzione e grazie alle loro enormi potenzialità i prodotti che le utilizzano sono in continuo aumento. Sono sempre più frequentemente impiegate nella nostra vita quotidiana, trovando applicazione in molteplici settori come quelli rappresentati dal mercato tessile, automobilistico, elettronico, alimentare, ecc. Nel 2012 la Commissione Europea ha incluso le nanotecnologie nelle cinque Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), che forniscono la base per l’innovazione e la creazione di nuovi prodotti. Il crescente interesse industriale e produttivo ha portato inevitabilmente ad un incremento del numero di lavoratori esposti, nelle fasi di sintesi e produzione fino alle fasi di smaltimento o recupero del rifiuto. Contemporaneamente alla crescita della produzione globale stimata in circa 11 milioni di tonnellate annue, sono cresciute anche le preoccupazioni riguardo i possibili effetti negativi sulla salute umana, focalizzando l’attenzione della comunità scientifica, in particolare sul tema della salute e sicurezza negli ambienti di lavoro. Anche in Italia il mercato industriale si è evoluto nella stessa direzione con importanti investimenti economici sia pubblici che privati ed un conseguente coinvolgimento di numerosi gruppi di ricerca afferenti ad Università, Istituti ed Enti di Ricerca nello studio delle principali tematiche relative allo sviluppo responsabile dei nanomateriali. In tale contesto, il presente studio intende evidenziare l’impegno della ricerca Italiana nell’ambito della salute e sicurezza dei nanomateriali ingegnerizzati, attraverso il contributo e le iniziative dell’INAIL per promuovere lo sviluppo sostenibile delle nanotecnologie.

BackgroundThe World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are developing joint estimates of the work-related burden of disease and injury (WHO/ILO Joint Estimates), with contributions from a large network of individual experts. Evidence from mechanistic data and prior studies suggests that exposure to long working hours may cause stroke. In this paper, we present a systematic review and meta-analysis of parameters for estimating the number of deaths and disability-adjusted life years from stroke that are attributable to exposure to long working hours, for the development of the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates.ObjectivesWe aimed to systematically review and meta-analyse estimates of the effect of exposure to long working hours (three categories: 41–48, 49–54 and ≥55 h/week), compared with exposure to standard working hours (35–40 h/week), on stroke (three outcomes: prevalence, incidence, and mortality).Data sourcesA protocol was developed and published, applying the Navigation Guide to systematic reviews as an organizing framework where feasible. We searched electronic databases for potentially relevant records from published and unpublished studies, including Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, CISDOC, PsycINFO, and WHO ICTRP. We also searched grey literature databases, Internet search engines, and organizational websites; hand-searched reference lists of previous systematic reviews; and consulted additional experts.Study eligibility and criteriaWe included working-age (≥15 years) individuals in the formal and informal economy in any WHO and/or ILO Member State but excluded children (aged < 15 years) and unpaid domestic workers. We included randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies and other non-randomized intervention studies with an estimate of the effect of exposure to long working hours (41–48, 49–54 and ≥55 h/week), compared with exposure to standard working hours (35–40 h/week), on stroke (prevalence, incidence or mortality).Study appraisal and synthesis methodsAt least two review authors independently screened titles and abstracts against the eligibility criteria at a first review stage and full texts of potentially eligible records at a second stage, followed by extraction of data from qualifying studies. Missing data were requested from principal study authors. We combined relative risks using random-effects meta-analysis. Two or more review authors assessed the risk of bias, quality of evidence and strength of evidence, using the Navigation Guide and GRADE tools and approaches adapted to this project.ResultsTwenty-two studies (20 cohort studies, 2 case-control studies) met the inclusion criteria, comprising a total of 839,680 participants (364,616 females) in eight countries from three WHO regions (Americas, Europe, and Western Pacific). The exposure was measured using self-reports in all studies, and the outcome was assessed with administrative health records (13 studies), self-reported physician diagnosis (7 studies), direct diagnosis by a physician (1 study) or during a medical interview (1 study). The outcome was defined as an incident non-fatal stroke event in nine studies (7 cohort studies, 2 case-control studies), incident fatal stroke event in one cohort study and incident non-fatal or fatal (“mixed”) event in 12 studies (all cohort studies). Cohort studies were judged to have a relatively low risk of bias; therefore, we prioritized evidence from these studies, but synthesised evidence from case-control studies as supporting evidence. For the bodies of evidence for both outcomes with any eligible studies (i.e. stroke incidence and mortality), we did not have serious concerns for risk of bias (at least for the cohort studies).Eligible studies were found on the effects of long working hours on stroke incidence and mortality, but not prevalence. Compared with working 35–40 h/week, we were uncertain about the effect on incidence of stroke due to working 41–48 h/week (relative risk (RR) 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94–1.14, 18 studies, 277,202 participants, I2 0%, low quality of evidence). There may have been an increased risk for acquiring stroke when working 49–54 h/week compared with 35–40 h/week (RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.00–1.28, 17 studies, 275,181participants, I2 0%, p 0.04, moderate quality of evidence). Compared with working 35–40 h/week, working ≥55 h/week may have led to a moderate, clinically meaningful increase in the risk of acquiring stroke, when followed up between one year and 20 years (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.61, 7 studies, 162,644 participants, I2 3%, moderate quality of evidence).Compared with working 35–40 h/week, we were very uncertain about the effect on dying (mortality) of stroke due to working 41–48 h/week (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.91–1.12, 12 studies, 265,937 participants, I2 0%, low quality of evidence), 49–54 h/week (RR 1.13, 95% CI 0.99–1.29, 11 studies, 256,129 participants, I2 0%, low quality of evidence) and 55 h/week (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.89–1.31, 10 studies, 664,647 participants, I2 20%, low quality of evidence).Subgroup analyses found no evidence for differences by WHO region, age, sex, socioeconomic status and type of stroke. Sensitivity analyses found no differences by outcome definition (exclusively non-fatal or fatal versus “mixed”) except for the comparison working ≥55 h/week versus 35–40 h/week for stroke incidence (p for subgroup differences: 0.05), risk of bias (“high”/“probably high” ratings in any domain versus “low”/“probably low” in all domains), effect estimate measures (risk versus hazard versus odds ratios) and comparator (exact versus approximate definition).ConclusionsWe judged the existing bodies of evidence for human evidence as “inadequate evidence for harmfulness” for all exposure categories for stroke prevalence and mortality and for exposure to 41–48 h/week for stroke incidence. Evidence on exposure to 48–54 h/week and ≥55 h/week was judged as “limited evidence for harmfulness” and “sufficient evidence for harmfulness” for stroke incidence, respectively. Producing estimates for the burden of stroke attributable to exposures to working 48–54 and ≥55 h/week appears evidence-based, and the pooled effect estimates presented in this systematic review could be used as input data for the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates.

Despite the progress made in recent years, reliable modeling of indoor air quality is still far from being obtained. This requires better chemical characterization of the pollutants and airflow physics included in forecasting tools, for which field observations conducted simultaneously indoors and outdoors are essential. The project &ldquo, Integrated Evaluation of Indoor Particulate Exposure&rdquo, (VIEPI) aimed at evaluating indoor air quality and exposure to particulate matter (PM) of humans in workplaces. VIEPI ran from February 2016 to December 2019 and included both numerical simulations and field campaigns carried out in universities and research environments located in urban and non-urban sites in the metropolitan area of Rome (Italy). VIEPI focused on the role played by micrometeorology and indoor airflow characteristics in determining indoor PM concentration. Short- and long-term study periods captured diurnal, weekly, and seasonal variability of airflow and PM concentration. Chemical characterization of PM10, including the determination of elements, ions, elemental carbon, organic carbon, and bioaerosol, was also carried out. Large differences in the composition of PM10 were detected between inside and outside as well as between different periods of the day and year. Indoor PM composition was related to the presence of people, to the season, and to the ventilation regime.

Exposure to ultrafine particles has been associated with short- and long-term effects on human health. The object of this paper was to assess Particle Number Concentration (PNC) and size distribution in a university environment and study the indoor/outdoor relationships. Measurements were carried out using co-located (indoor/outdoor) condensation particle counters and size spectrometers during two seasonal periods characterized by different meteorological conditions at five selected classrooms different for size, capacity, floor and use destination. PNC was dominated by particles in the ultrafine mode both indoor and outdoor. The indoor/outdoor ratios were on average between 1 and 1.2 in the summer and between 0.6 and 0.9 in the winter. Mostly the differences found among classrooms could be related to the condition of use (i.e., crowding, natural air exchange, air conditioning, seasonality). Only little differences were found among PNC measured immediately outside the classrooms. Based on information taken during the measurement campaigns, on the classrooms condition of use, it was possible to assess as a source of indoor particles in the coarse mode, the presence of students and teachers.

Nanotechnology offers many opportunities but there is still considerable uncertainty about the health risks and how to assess these.In the field of risk analysis for workers potentially exposed to nano-objects and their agglomerates and aggregates (NOAA) different methodological approaches to measure airborne NOAA have been proposed.This study proposes a systematic review of scientific literature on occupational exposure to NOAA in the workplace with the aim to identify techniques of exposure measurement to be recommended in low- and medium-income countries.We gathered scientific papers reporting techniques of NOAA exposure measurements in the workplace, we summarized the data for each eligible technique according to PRISMA guidelines, and we rated the quality of evidence following an adapted GRADE approach.We found 69 eligible studies to be included in qualitative synthesis: the majority of studies reported a moderate quality and only two studies demonstrated the use of a high quality exposure measurement technique.The review demonstrates that a basic exposure measurement, i.e. evidence for the presence or absence of NOAA in the workplace air, can be achieved with moderate (40 techniques) to high (2 techniques) quality; comprehensive exposure measurement, that allow the quantification of NOAA in the workplace, can be achieved with moderate (11 techniques) to high (2 techniques) quality.The findings of the study also allowed to finalize a list of requirements that must be fulfilled by an effective measurement technique (either basic or comprehensive) and to highlight the main weaknesses that need to be tackled for an effective affordability evaluation of measurement techniques to be recommended in low- and medium-income countries.

In the past years, the development of nanotechnologies has growing up; worldwide estimates of nanomaterial (NM)-related products on the market and as a consequence, workers involved in research and industrial processes are increasing. Workers could be exposed in each step of NM life cycle; furthermore, NMs can be much more reactive than bulk materials and produce harmful effects on human health and environment. The increased number of studies published on nano-objects exposure in the workplace demonstrated a growing scientific interest in this field. In addition, different characterization techniques and measurement strategies of exposure to airborne NMs have been proposed and recently harmonized in an OECD document. This chapter will be focused on techniques and instruments available for monitoring airborne engineered NMs in the workplace, with the aim to highlight the need to conduct an occupational exposure measurement as a contribution to the risk analysis. We will emphasize currently available instruments and we will conduct some considerations related to their pros and cons. We will include also some information on developing prototype devices. Instruments and techniques for exposure monitoring are strictly related to the applied measurement strategy that will be described according to the recent updated literature. In this framework, specific attention will be paid to the distinction of engineered NMs from the background nanoparticles and pollutants dispersed in workplace atmosphere.

Exposure to ultrafine particles (UFPs size &lt, 100 nm) in life and work environments can contribute to adverse health effects also in terms of health burden of related diseases over time. The choice of parameters which better characterize UFPs is challenging, due to their physical-chemical properties and their variable size. It is also strictly related to the availability of different instrumental techniques. In the present study we focus on real time high frequency (1 Hz) UFPs particle size distribution (PSD) and their relationship with total particle number concentration (TPNC) and mean particle diameter (Davg) as a contribution characterizing by size the human exposure to UFPs in an indoor site of the University of Rome “Sapienza” (Italy). Further considerations about UFPs contribution to nucleation mode (NM) and accumulation mode (AM) have been highlighted, also in order to investigate the contribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) surface-adsorbed on indoor air particles (pPAHs). High indoor TPNC values were registered during the rush hours (early morning and mid/late afternoon) according to the outdoor influences originated from anthropogenic activities. AM mainly contribute to the indoor TPNC during working days showing high correlation with pPAHs. These findings may provide useful indications in terms of occupational exposure to UFPs since there are many evidences that indoor exposures to such pollutants may be associated with adverse health effects also in working environments.

Objectives: The Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL) carried out a national survey to investigate the employer’s perception and awareness about Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) implementation. The aim of this study is to point out if there is any difference in employer’s perceptions on OHS management with respect to different firms sizes. Methods: The study has been conducted on a sample of 1010 employers. All measures were self-reported through a computer-assisted-telephone-interview (CATI). Results: Employers of microenterprises resulted less persuaded of the usefulness of occupational risk assessment and management activities. Employers of microenterprises more often perceived OHS as a law duty than an added value if compared with large ones (OR = 7.09, CI 95%: 1.80–27.95). About 56% of employers in our sample found the levels of OHS increased after the enforcement of Legislative Decree n. 81/2008, even if micro and small businesses more frequently than others reported it to be unchanged (OR = 2.07, CI95%: 1.19–3.58). Conclusions: These findings may drive policy implementation at national level in order to improve OSH in SMEs, taking into account their structural, economic and productive characteristics.

The growing development of emerging and enabling technologies, including nanotechnologies, calls for a responsible approach to identify, evaluate, prevent and communicate health and safety (H&S) concerns related to them. This study proposes a methodology to manage the potential risks related to research and development (R&D) activities on nanomaterials (NMs), combining qualitative risk evaluation, on-site exposure assessment and communication tools. This methodology gives an example of an evidence-based approach to address uncertainties related to workers’ exposure in NMs use and production. It originates from a standardized Control Banding (CB) approach, in which the hazard bands are combined with the exposure potential, in order to define the level of control measures required in the workplace. Field measurements, data collection and off-line analysis have been employed to integrate the CB model and to obtain an improved risk management tool. It has been tested in a R&D laboratory in which NMs with different dimensionalities were manufactured and used: graphene, nanowires and nanoparticles. The final outcome is a risk analysis included in a pictogram (NanoLabel) associated to each process phase and laboratory, indicating the specific level of risk and primary management measures, addressed to R&D personnel, H&S players and other workers involved. It is a dynamic system that can be adapted to the different R&D activities and to the different competences and skills of target personnel. Results shows the approach address workers’ exposure to NMs with promising applications also in industrial contexts.

Widespread production and use of engineered nanomaterials in industrial and research settings raise concerns about their health impact in the workplace. In the last years, graphene-based nanomaterials have gained particular interest in many application fields. Among them, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) showed superior electrical, optical and thermal properties, low-cost and availability. Few and conflicting results have been reported about toxicity and potential effects on workers’ health, during the production and handling of these nanostructures. Due to this lack of knowledge, systematic approaches are needed to assess risks and quantify workers’ exposure to GNPs. This work applies a multi-metric approach to assess workers’ exposure during the production of GNPs, based on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) methodology by integrating real-time measurements and personal sampling. In particular, we analyzed the particle number concentration, the average diameter and the lung deposited surface area of airborne nanoparticles during the production process conducted by thermal exfoliation in two different ways, compared to the background. These results have been integrated by electron microscopic and spectroscopic analysis on the filters sampled by personal impactors. The study identifies the process phases potentially at risk for workers and reports quantitative information about the parameters that may influence the exposure in order to propose recommendations for a safer design of GNPs production process.

Introduction Inail has for a long time been active in the recovery, valorization and sharing of the heritage of knowledge relating to health and safety at work, both at a national and international level. Among the activities of the triennial research plan, it is also included the creation of a repository of the ICOH Congress proceedings, starting from its foundation to the present time, with the aim of presenting the available documentation in an organised and interrelated system. Methods The series of ICOH international congresses begins in Milan in 1906, in connexion with the foundation of ICOH. To date, 31 international congress have been held. On the occasion of the centenary Congress in 2006, a first catalogue and digitalization of the proceedings was created, with an index by author, title keywords, etc., by the Clinica del Lavoro of Milan, under the direction of P.A. Bertazzi. The aim of the project is to complete the digital version of the single proceedings for the realisation of a web edition of the complete corpus of the ICOH Congresses, along with the development of organised metadata useful for semantic research. Result The result will be the realisation of a critical review in order to level out all the previous experiences of digitalization of the proceedings of the ICOH Congresses, including the various forms of indexing now existing, along with the creation of a thesaurus of keywords for occupational medicine, in digital format and with links to the entries. Research output will include the creation of a structured Repository containing a series of shared metadata in open access and with tools for semantic research. Discussion The Repository will be released at the ICOH 2018 Congress and will constitute an important research tool not only for the history of prevention and health and safety at workplaces, but also for the current research activities in OHS.

Introduction The International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) is an international professional organisation dedicated to scientific progress, knowledge, and development of occupational health and safety. Founded in 1906 in Milan, Italy, ICOH currently has over 2000 members in 96 countries. The 37 Scientific Committees provide a forum for members and associated experts to meet in order to promote, share and discuss progress relating to the OSH topics. The aim of this study is to develop a survey on ICOH contribution to OSH at national and international level. Methods The survey project will consist of the following phases: first draft of the questionnaire shared with ICOH Officers, members of the Task Group on Membership and National Secretaries; second draft based on the suggestions and inputs received; pilot test; questionnaire administration; data elaboration and analysis; dissemination of results. The questionnaire will be administered to ICOH members in good standing through the dedicated web-based platform SurveyMonkey. The language selected for the questionnaire will be English. The questionnaire will be structured along different sections investigating ICOH contribution to OSH at national and international level, activities carried out by Scientific Committees and National Secretaries, results visibility and dissemination at International Congresses, effectiveness of ICOH communication tools. Data will be analysed using SPSS Statistics V.22. Results and Conclusion Preliminary results will be presented at ICOH 2018 Congress. This study will be, for the first time in ICOH history, addressed to the whole active membership. It might become the starting point for a systematic monitoring survey on needs and perceptions of members with respect to ICOH commitment in the OSH sector. The outputs will also contribute to the improvement of ICOH scientific activities and identification of the new OSH priorities at national and international level.

International audience; Background The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are developing a joint methodology for estimating the national and global work-related burden of disease and injury (WHO/ILO joint methodology), with contributions from a large network of experts. In this paper, we present the protocol for two systematic reviews of parameters for estimating the number of deaths and disability-adjusted life years from stroke attributable to exposure to long working hours, to inform the development of the WHO/ILO joint methodology. Objectives We aim to systematically review studies on occupational exposure to long working hours (called Systematic Review 1 in the protocol) and systematically review and meta-analyse estimates of the effect of long working hours on stroke (called Systematic Review 2), applying the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology as an organizing framework, conducting both systematic reviews in tandem and in a harmonized way. Data sources Separately for Systematic Reviews 1 and 2, we will search electronic academic databases for potentially relevant records from published and unpublished studies, including Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, CISDOC and PsychINFO. We will also search electronic grey literature databases, Internet search engines and organizational websites; hand-search reference list of previous systematic reviews and included study records; and consult additional experts. Study eligibility and criteria We will include working-age (>= 15 years) workers in the formal and informal economy in any WHO and/or ILO Member State, but exclude children (< 15 years) and unpaid domestic workers. For Systematic Review 1, we will include quantitative prevalence studies of relevant levels of occupational exposure to long working hours (i.e. 35-40, 41-48, 49-54 and >= 55 h/week) stratified by country, sex, age and industrial sector or occupation, in the years 2005-2018. For Systematic Review 2, we will include randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies and other non-randomized intervention studies with an estimate of the relative effect of a relevant level of long working hours on the incidence of or mortality due to stroke, compared with the theoretical minimum risk exposure level (i.e. 35-40 h/week). Study appraisal and synthesis methods At least two review authors will independently screen titles and abstracts against the eligibility criteria at a first stage and full texts of potentially eligible records at a second stage, followed by extraction of data from qualifying studies. At least two review authors will assess risk of bias and the quality of evidence, using the most suited tools currently available. For Systematic Review 2, if feasible, we will combine relative risks using meta-analysis. We will report results using the guidelines for accurate and transparent health estimates reporting (GATHER) for Systematic Review 1 and the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines (PRISMA) for Systematic Review 2.

With the increasing interest in the potential benefits of nanotechnologies, concern is still growing that they may present emerging risks for workers. Various strategies have been developed to assess the exposure to nano-objects and their agglomerates and aggregates (NOAA) in the workplace, integrating different aerosol measurement instruments and taking into account multiple parameters that may influence NOAA toxicity. The present study proposes a multi-metric approach for measuring and sampling NOAA in the workplace, applied to three case studies in laboratories each dedicated to materials with different shapes and dimensionalities: graphene, nanowires, and nanoparticles. The study is part of a larger project with the aim of improving risk management tools in nanomaterials research laboratories. The harmonized methodology proposed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has been applied, including information gathering about materials and processes, measurements with easy-to-use and hand-held real-time devices, air sampling with personal samplers, and off-line analysis using scanning electron microscopy. Significant values beyond which an emission can be attributed to the NOAA production process were identified by comparison of the particle number concentration (PNC) time series and the corresponding background levels in the three laboratories. We explored the relations between background PNC and microclimatic parameters. Morphological and elemental analysis of sampled filters was done to identify possible emission sources of NOAA during the production processes: rare particles, spherical, with average diameter similar to the produced NOAA were identified in the nanoparticles laboratory, so further investigation is recommended to confirm the potential for worker exposure. In conclusion, the information obtained should provide a valuable basis for improving risk management strategies in the laboratory at work.

Despite all the emphasis laid today on the green economy, occupational health and safety (OHS) issues have still been talked only limitedly, as already noted in previous studies and literature reviews. The Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene of the Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL) has conducted a survey among some Italian stakeholders, social partners, institutions and "green" businesses to gather their perceptions of the potential effects of green jobs on OHS, particularly in the renewable energy sector. The survey involved a sample of 61 stakeholders in the following categories: institutions (11), trade unions (11), employers' organizations (13), businesses (11), research (15). Participation in this survey of national stakeholders who have a central role in the development and management of policies on renewable energy and OHS, allowed to analyze in depth the fundamental aspects for a fair transition towards green economy. Also, the good agreement among respondents brought to light quite clearly the main critical points as regards the OHS implications of green work in Italy, and pointed to the principal policies to be adopted to safeguard workers' health and safety.

This study explores the way the publication of a National White Book on health and safety risks that affect workers in jobs involving Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials influenced the key Italian stakeholders attitude toward this issue and identifies the standpoints and priorities shared among researchers and stakeholders to develop a policy framework to address this issue. The study not only highlights some important assumptions (i.e. the acknowledgment by the key stakeholders of the need for actions and the identification of objectives which can gain a wide consensus) for the establishment of a policy community that sustains the development of a policymaking process on the issue but, through the interaction between stakeholders and OSH researchers, it also identifies some in nuce proposals that represent the starting point for policy interventions aimed at meeting the needs of both stakeholders and scientific community. Results obtained in terms of clarification of interests at stake, identification of potential areas of consensus and level of key national actors' engagement achieved, show the potentialities of adopting a knowledge based and inclusive approach to policy-making to address the issue of prevention and management of health and safety risks related to technological innovation within a framework of scientific uncertainty.

Responsible development of any technology, including nanotechnology, requires protecting workers, the first people to be exposed to the products of the technology. In the case of nanotechnology, this is difficult to achieve because in spite of early evidence raising health and safety concerns, there are uncertainties about hazards and risks. The global response to these concerns has been the issuance by authoritative agencies of precautionary guidance to strictly control exposures to engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). This commentary summarizes discussions at the "Symposium on the Health Protection of Nanomaterial Workers" held in Rome (25 and 26 February 2015). There scientists and practitioners from 11 countries took stock of what is known about hazards and risks resulting from exposure to ENMs, confirmed that uncertainties still exist, and deliberated on what it would take to conduct a global assessment of how well workers are being protected from potentially harmful exposures.

The development and spread of nanotechnologies in manufacturing work worldwide calls for close attention to the potential health risks for workers who might be exposed to nanometer-scale materials. Our limited knowledge of exposure assessment means that further research in this field is urgently needed. This paper focuses on the potential occurrence of nanoparticles in some economic sectors and proposes an estimate of the number of workers involved. This is a basic step in the general process of risk analysis in order to establish the size and impact of the hazard. As the first phase in a project to define ways of assessing the risk of occupational exposure to nanomaterials in Italy we developed a method for identifying the industrial sectors involved and the numbers of workers potentially exposed to manufactured nanoparticles. Substantial numbers are potentially involved. The model proposed could also be tested for application on unintentionally produced nanoparticles, and – in general – on populations exposed to other specific risks.

The INSuLa project consisted of a national survey on health and safety at work involving all the relevant actors such as workers, employers, occupational physicians (MC), worker safety representatives (RLS), prevention and safety service in the workplace (SPSAL). The survey aimed, on one hand, at investigating workers' risk perceptions at the workplace and, on another hand, at exploring the general level of awareness about the enforcement of the Legislative Decree 81/2008 and subsequent amendments. The survey was conducted on a stratified sample of8000 workers representative of the national situation taking into consideration some of the most important socio-demographic and occupational variables, such as gender, geographic area, age, type of contract and sector of activity. The analysis of the results presented here and the subsequent secondary analyses will contribute to identify the needs and critical issues for implementing preventive interventions at the workplaces, also in consideration of the emerging risks and changes in the world of work.

The newly fledged nanotechnologies offer opportunities for social development, but uncertainties prevail about their impact on human and environmental health. There is still a huge gap between technological progress and research into the health and safety aspects of nanomaterials. This is clear from the quantity of nanoproducts already on the market — more than 600 — and the public and private funds dedicated to the development of nanotechnologies, which are almost a hundred times those available for research into their effects on health and safety. Estimates have it that by 2014, nanotechnologies will be widely used in our society and ten million new jobs will be created. Therefore, it becomes essential to plan an integrated approach to specific risk analysis at work. The following gaps and needs come to light: limited information, difficulties in relating nanotechnologies and production of nanomaterials to specific areas of application, efforts required to assess the hazards posed by nanomaterials in realistic exposure conditions, ethical issues about nanotechnology in the workplace likely to arise from today’s knowledge about the hazards of nanomaterials and the risks they may pose to workers. An integrated approach to research, cooperation, and communication strategies is essential if we are to direct our efforts toward responsible and sustainable growth of nanotechnologies.