[The determination of serum amino-terminal procollagen type-III propeptide (PIIINP) in occupational exposure to rock wool fiber].
Fifty-six males workers exposed to rock wool during production, and 20 referents were examined. Exposure, evaluated by personal sampling, ranged from 0.05 to 0.74 fibres/ml (median 0.15). The subjects underwent a medical examination, chest X-ray according to ILO recommendations and pulmonary function tests. In all subjects the serum levels of type III procollagen N-terminal propeptide (PIIINPs) were determined. No evidence of pulmonary fibrosis, nor work-related lung diseases were observed. PIIINPs mean values in the exposed (9.8 ng/ml; 2.8 S.D.) were slightly higher, but not significantly different when compared to referents (8.5 ng/ml; 2.5 S.D.). No significant correlation between PIIINPs and rock wool exposure (both airborne levels and exposure duration) was observed. Furthermore, peptide levels were not related to pulmonary function test results. Our results suggest that occupational exposure to rock wool fibres lower than 0.75 fibres/ml for less than 20 years does not induce definite cases of pulmonary fibrosis nor an increase of type III collagen synthesis in the lung.
Cavalleri
A
A
Dipartimento di Medicina Preventiva, Occupazionale e di Comunità, Università di Pavia.
Gobba
F
F
Ferrari
D
D
Bacchella
L
L
Robotti
M
M
Mineo
F
F
Pedroni
C
C
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011347:Procollagen / Q000097:blood*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011347:Procollagen; C041876:procollagen Type III-N-terminal peptide
Il dosaggio del propeptide aminoterminale del procollagene III sierico (PIIINP) nell'esposizione professionale a fibre di lana di roccia.