Medical monitoring of dioxin clean-up workers.
The effectiveness of the safety measures established to protect clean-up workers from 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD) exposure during clean-up operations of the most highly TCDD-contaminated area following the Seveso accident was evaluated. Clean-up workers (N = 36) and referent subjects (N = 36) underwent a 2-yr prospective controlled study aimed at detecting whether specific clinical and biochemical outcomes differed between the two groups. No cases of overt TCDD-related clinical disease occurred (i.e., chloracne, liver disease, peripheral neuropathy, porphyria cutanea tarda), and no clear-cut differences in biochemical outcomes between clean-up and reference workers were detected. The safety measures that were taken together with worker's compliance during clean-up operations were effective in preventing acute health effects. The safety, industrial hygiene, and health monitoring programs which were established following the Seveso accident should be applied as a minimum in similar situations.
Assennato
G
G
Institute of Occupational Health, University of Bari, Italy.
Cannatelli
P
P
Emmett
E
E
Ghezzi
I
I
Merlo
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods*; D004147:Dioxins / Q000506:poisoning*; D005107:Explosions; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000506:poisoning*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012307:Risk Factors
D004147:Dioxins; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins