[Promoting the quality of health surveillance of workers exposed to wood dust, with particular care to NPSC, in the territory of the Health Agency of Florence]

G Ital Med Lav Ergon. 2012 Jul-Sep;34(3 Suppl):617-20.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

Wood dust can cause occupational-related naso-sinusal cancer, characterized by a latency period of about 40 years. The Tuscany Cancer Registry estimates that cases of NPSC are from 20-25 per year into the Region (33% related to wood dust). These neoplasms are surgically treatable at early-stage and, for this reason, a rapid endoscopic diagnosis is considered to be reasonably useful for prognostic issues. We used a questionnaire to investigate nasal symptoms and NOSQ and SOLAR questionnaires to highlight respiratory/skins diseases, and a spirometry for each worker. Subjects with a working-age of more than 15 years, and those that were positive to the questionnaire and/or to the medical history were were referred to a specialist in otolaryngology. The prevalence of endoscopic positive findings--detected especially in subjects with a working age of more than 15 years--confirms the significance of the problem.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dust*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Population Surveillance*
  • Quality Control
  • Wood*

Substances

  • Dust