Learning objectives
The student must be able to interpret biological monitoring data in light of the knowledge of metabolism and kinetics of elimination of exogenous substances
Course unit content
The interdisciplinary course in occupational medicine aims to offer students the basics of toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of environmental pollutants.
Full programme
1. Purposes and tasks of Occupational Medicine, Toxicology and industrial hygiene Historical notes; Accidents and occupational diseases; Outline of Occupational Epidemiology; Causality criteria in occupational medicine; Outline of Toxicology and Industrial Hygiene.
2. Working history: relationships between work and health The etiological diagnosis in occupational medicine: process, importance, critical aspects; Classification of the most frequent diseases by chemical, physical, biological and organizational work agents; Information and education on occupational risks (motivating those who work to implement prudent behavior and implement preventive regulations);
3. Risk analysis, assessment and management tools (Concepts and definitions of Danger, Risk, Exposure and Susceptibility; Environmental monitoring; Biological monitoring; Health surveillance; The guiding values for interpreting environmental monitoring data: OEL, TLV, MAK
The guiding values for interpreting biological monitoring: reference values, action levels, limit values that can be used individually or in groups;
4. The principles of environmental and occupational toxicology
Toxicokinetics: absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion;
Toxicodynamics: The main mechanisms of action;
The concepts of dose, effect and response, of dose-effect relationship and dose-response:
Interpretative models (deterministic, multi-factorial, multi-stage);
individual susceptibility and health surveillance.
5. The main physical risk factors Clinical pictures; instrumental assessments; diagnosis; prevention:
to. noise,
b. high and low temperatures,
c. vibrations.
6. Main chemical risk factors Occupational, environmental and individual sources: main clinical pictures, biological monitoring, instrumental and laboratory assessments, diagnosis, prevention and possible therapy for:
to. main toxic metal elements (cadmium, lead, mercury, chromium, manganese)
b. organic solvents: aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons; alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, d. carbon monoxide; carbon disulfide, aromatic amines.
7. Occupational cancer:
a) epidemiology, risk factors, relationship with exposure;
b) pathogenetic theories and the role of occupational factors;
c) diagnosis and legal medical aspects for the main pathognomonic tumors.
8. Main respiratory diseases:
Risk factors, main clinical pictures; instrumental assessments; laboratory assessments; diagnosis; prevention and possible therapy:
a) acute and chronic diseases of the upper airways
b) pneumoconiosis,
c) bronchial asthma, extrinsic allergic alveolitis;
d) chronic obstructive bronchopneumonia;
9. Professional nephropathy
10. Indoor and outdoor pollution
a) Office work
b) occupational risks in the use of equipment with VDTs
c) Tobacco smoke
d) Risks for workers exposed to traffic pollution;
11. Work organization and work station:
a) Stress;
b) Shift and night work;
c) Ergonomic factors (from posture and repeated movements, handling of loads).
d) Risks in driving cars and means of transport
12. Irritative and allergic working dermopathies
occupational, environmental and domestic risk factors; laboratory assessments;
diagnosis, prevention and possible therapy.
13. Professional neuropathies
occupational, environmental and domestic risk factors; laboratory assessments;
diagnosis, prevention and possible therapy.
Bibliography
A. Mutti e M. Corradi: Medicina del Lavoro. Nuova Berti editrice,
Teaching methods
Lectures will be held on-site in compliance with safety standards, provided that further instructions on the ongoing health emergency are not implemented. Supporting material will be available on the specific, student-reserved platform (Elly) and will include slide presentations, audio-video aids or video-recording of the lectures.
