[Cardiopathy caused by physical or chemical agents].
BACKGROUND
Occupational cardiovascular diseases do not possess any specific clinical and physiopathogenetic features.


OBJECTIVE
The paper summarizes the results of the most recent studies on chemical and physical cardiovascular risks, and assesses the current degree of risk for occupational cardiovascular disease.


METHODS
Scientific literature and medline databases on this topic were carefully considered.


CONCLUSIONS
The scientific literature often provides interesting information on the cardiotoxicity of chemical and physical agents in workplaces; however, a large amount of data refers to high-dose exposures. On the contrary, nowadays exposure conditions have progressively improved and toxic concentrations in air in most cases are below the environmental threshold limit values. In workplaces multiple exposures to different cardiovascular risks, both occupational and non-occupational, are often present simultaneously and these cardiovascular diseases have not been adequately studied in comparison to other occupational organic and systemic diseases. Moreover, possible interferences between occupational cardiotoxic substances and cardiological therapy are still poorly investigated, even though such situations frequently occur.
Crippa
Michela
M
Cattedra, U.O. di Medicina del Lavoro, Università, Spedali Civili di Brescia. medlav@med.unibs.it
Balbiani
Lara
L
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology*; D015984:Causality; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals / Q000009:adverse effects; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000009:adverse effects; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D011848:Radioactive Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D013696:Temperature; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D008670:Metals; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D010575:Pesticides; D011848:Radioactive Pollutants