OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE
Learning outcomes of the course unit
The concepts of dose, effect, toxicokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) toxicodynamics (tissue / target organ, metabolic activation, mechanism of action, latency period) of industrial pollutants. Role of individual susceptibility in chemical risk. The meaning and use of the Biological Exposure Indices (EIB, internal dose, etc.).
Course contents summary
Role of the Occupational Health and relationships with other medical and social services. Elements of psychology of work. Risk factors and activities' work: the concept of danger and risk, risks associated with exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents present in the workplace.
Course contents
Mechanism of action and effects of the following toxic substances: solvents (aliphatic, aromatic, chlorinated), metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, manganese, lead), pesticides (organophosphates, organochlorines, pyrethroids). Acute and chronic poisoning by heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Mn). Mechanisms of chemical carcinogenesis and identification of the main occupational cancer. Mechanisms of neurotoxicity and main toxic neuropathies (central and peripheral). Illness and work-related illness at work, and the role concasuale ACTIVITY working in the genesis of common diseases such as pulmonary, osteoarthropathies, heart disease. Organ diseases: (i) broncopmeumopatie: allergic asthma, extrinsic allergic alveolitis, chronic obstructive bronchitis, pneumoconiosis, (ii) nephropathy, (iii) liver (direct and immunotoxic), (iv) blood dyscrasias (v) osteoarthropathies. Industrial noise and hearing loss; characteristics of hearing loss from noise. Control of the state of health of workers: health surveillance. The periodic preventive health assessments. The occupational history.
Recommended readings
Alessio & Apostoli
Teaching methods
Lectures
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination
