Vigilance on health surveillance in wood sector
Bevilacqua, L.; Magnavita, N.; Becchetti, G.; De Matteis, B.; Giunta, G.; Lancia, F.; Mammi, F.; Pisciottano, V.; Roccia, K.; Pupp, N.
Giornale Italiano di Medicina del Lavoro Ed Ergonomia 29(3 Suppl): 794-795
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 1592-7830 PMID: 18409965 Document Number: 605479
A program to promote occupational health among wood dust workers in the district of Civitavecchia. In recent years, occupational health physicians charged of medical surveillance of wood workers (Competent Physicians, CPs) had been invited to perform a peer-review of their methods and activities. In the present phase, CPs have been invited to show the result of their medical surveillance. One hundred forty seven wood workers were submitted to rhinoscopic examination. The prevalence of woodwork-related rhinitis and other pathologic signs, including nasal adenocarcinoma (one case), was 32.7%. The prevalence of rhinitis in woodworkers increased with years of working as a woodworker. Wood dust and chemical exposures in wood workers represent a serious risk of disease for the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.