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Laser cutting processes entail the cutting of metal sheets by the emission of a laser source that melts the material along defined paths, potentially generating incidental metal nanoparticles (IMNPs). These particles have been associated with genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory responses. However, quantitative data on IMNP emissions remain limited. This study assessed IMNP emissions from CO2 and fiber laser cutting through two monitoring days at a high-precision metalworking facility in Italy. The first day dealt with environmental monitoring, while the second included both personal and environmental monitoring. Personal sampling consistently indicated elevated particle number concentrations and lung-deposited surface area, with average values reaching up to five times the background level (161,960 n/cm3) and peak concentrations as high as 2,781,962 particles/cm3. Environmental concentrations increased significantly only during CO2 stainless steel cutting (95,670 n/cm3). Depending on the process, 73–89% of the emitted particles were <300 nm, with substantial enrichment in the nanoparticle fraction. Emission profiles varied by laser source, metal, and sheet thickness, with the highest concentrations recorded during CO2-laser cutting of stainless steel. These findings provide preliminary evidence of occupational exposure to IMNPs during laser cutting and highlight the need for systematic exposure assessments to quantify the potential occupational health risk.

Purpose Few studies have analyzed the relationship between job satisfaction and return to work (RTW) in cardiac patients. The aim of this paper was to investigate whether job satisfaction predicted early RTW in patients sick listed after cardiac invasive procedures. Methods A 6-month prospective study was carried out in a sample of 83 patients in working age who had recently been treated with angioplasty or cardiac surgery. Job satisfaction was measured using the scale from the Occupational Stress Indicator during cardiac rehabilitation. Time to RTW was assessed at the 6-month occupational physician examination. Logistic regression analyses were used to study the association between job satisfaction at baseline and early RTW at follow-up, adjusted for socio-demographic, medical (type of cardiac intervention, ejection fraction) and psychological (depression, locus of control, illness perception) factors. Results Participants with high job satisfaction were more likely to return early to work, with an odds ratio (OR) of 5.92 (95 % CI, 1.69–20.73) in the most-adjusted model, compared to participants with low job satisfaction. Satisfaction with organizational processes was the job satisfaction component most strongly associated with early RTW (OR, 4.30; 95 % CI, 1.21–15.03). Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first prospective study that investigated whether job satisfaction predicts time to RTW after cardiac interventions. The results suggested that when patients are satisfied with their job and positively perceived their work environment, they will be more likely to early RTW, independently of socio-demographic, medical and psychological factors.

Laser cutting processes entail the cutting of metal sheets by the emission of a laser source that melts the material along defined paths, potentially generating incidental metal nanoparticles (IMNPs). These particles have been associated with genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory responses. However, quantitative data on IMNP emissions remain limited. This study assessed IMNP emissions from CO[sub.2] and fiber laser cutting through two monitoring days at a high-precision metalworking facility in Italy. The first day dealt with environmental monitoring, while the second included both personal and environmental monitoring. Personal sampling consistently indicated elevated particle number concentrations and lung-deposited surface area, with average values reaching up to five times the background level (161,960 n/cm[sup.3]) and peak concentrations as high as 2,781,962 particles/cm[sup.3]. Environmental concentrations increased significantly only during CO[sub.2] stainless steel cutting (95,670 n/cm[sup.3]). Depending on the process, 73–89% of the emitted particles were <300 nm, with substantial enrichment in the nanoparticle fraction. Emission profiles varied by laser source, metal, and sheet thickness, with the highest concentrations recorded during CO[sub.2]-laser cutting of stainless steel. These findings provide preliminary evidence of occupational exposure to IMNPs during laser cutting and highlight the need for systematic exposure assessments to quantify the potential occupational health risk.

Background The attention of international agencies and scientific community on bullying and work-related stress is increasing. This study describes the gender differences found in victims of bullying and work-related stress in an Italian case series and analyzes the critical issues in the diagnostic workup. Methods Between 2001 and 2009 we examined 345 outpatients (148 males, 197 females; mean age: 41 ± 10.49) for suspected psychopathological work-related problems. Diagnosis of bullying was established using international criteria (ICD-10 and DSM-IV). Results After interdisciplinary diagnostic evaluation (Occupational Medicine Unit, Psychology and Psychiatry Service), the diagnosis of bullying was formulated in 35 subjects, 12 males and 23 females (2 cases of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and 33 of Adjustment Disorder). Fifty-four (20 males, 34 females) suffered from work-related anxiety, while work-unrelated Adjustment Disorder and other psychiatric disorders were diagnosed in 7 and 112 subjects, respectively. Women between 34 and 45 years showed a high prevalence (65%) of \"mobbing syndrome\" or other work-related stress disorders. Conclusions At work, women are more subject to harassment (for personal aspects related to emotional and relational factors) than men. The knowledge of the phenomenon is an essential requisite to contrast bullying; prevention can be carried out only through effective information and training of workers and employers, who have the legal obligation to preserve the integrity of the mental and physical status of their employees during work.

Objective: The \"CardioWork\" protocol, for work resumption after invasive heart procedures and subsequent cardiac rehabilitation, is presented. Methods: Over 5 years, 107 consecutive patients of working age were enrolled. Jobs were classified as multiples of basal metabolism according to the entity of physical strain. These data were integrated with instrumental evaluations to provide indications regarding time and modality of work resumption. Results: A total of 89.7% of patients resumed working. Other relevant findings include the correlation of time for work resumption with the kind of treatment and the task energy requirement; the earliness of return to work, even for older people and those performing heavy tasks; and the difficulty of work resumption for those who failed to restart work within 6 months. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary rehabilitative approach to facilitate work resumption, adapting the work tasks to the changed psychophysical capabilities.

Objectives: Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is an uncommon respiratory disease characterized by the paradoxical adduction of vocal cords during inspiration, that may mimic bronchial asthma. The pathogenesis of VCD has not been clearly defined but it is possible to recognize non-psychologic and psychologic causes. The majority of patients are female but, interestingly, a high incidence of VCD has been documented in health care workers. A misdiagnosis with asthma leads to hospitalisation, unnecessary use of systemic steroids with related adverse effects, and sometimes tracheostomy and intubation. In a subset of VCD patients, the disease can be attributed to occupational or environmental exposure to inhaled irritants. Materials and Methods: We report the case of a 45-year-old woman, working as a nurse, who complained of wheezing, cough, dyspnoea related to inhalation of irritating agents (isopropylic alcohol, formaldehyde, peracetic acid). She underwent chest radiography, pulmonary function assessment both in the presence and in the absence of symptoms, bronchial provocation with methacholine and bronchodilation test with salbutamol to recognize asthma's features, allergy evaluation by skin prick tests and patch tests and video-laryngoscopy. Results: VCD diagnosis was made on the basis of video-laryngoscopy, that visualized the paradoxical motion of the vocal cords during symptoms, in the absence of other pathologic processes. Conclusions: This case fulfils the proposed criteria for the diagnosis of irritant VCD (IVCD). This is the first report of VCD onset following exposure to several irritants: formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, isopropylic alcohol, peracetic acid-hydrogen peroxide mixture. These substances are used as cleaning and antiseptic agents in healthcare settings and some ones can also be found in many indoor environments. A correct diagnosis is important both to give the appropriate treatment and for medical legal implications.