Objectives-To evaluate the contribution of traYc fumes to exposure to benzene in urban workers, an investigation on personal exposure to benzene in traYc police from the city of Rome was carried out. Methods-The study was performed from December 1998 to June 1999. DiVusive Radiello personal samplers were used to measure external exposures to benzene and alkyl benzenes during the workshift in 139 policemen who controlled medium to high traYc areas and in 63 oYce police. Moreover, as biomarkers of internal exposure to benzene, blood benzene, and urinary trans, trans-muconic and S-phenyl mercapturic acids were measured at the beginning and at the end of the workshift in 124 traYc police and 58 oYce police. Results-Time weighted average (TWA) exposure to benzene was consistently higher among traYc police than among indoor workers (geometric mean 6.8 and 3.5 µg/m 3 , respectively). Among the traYc police, the distribution of individual exposures was highly asymmetric, skewed toward higher values. Mean ambient benzene concentrations measured by municipal air monitoring stations during workshifts of traYc police were generally higher (geometric mean 12.6 µg/m 3 ) and did not correlat with personal exposure values. In particular, no association was found between highest personal exposure scores and environmental benzene concentrations. Among the exposure biomarkers investigated, only blood benzene correlated slightly with on-shift exposure to benzene, but significant increases in both urinary trans, trans-muconic and S-phenylmercapturic acids were found in active smokers compared with nonsmokers, irrespective of their job. Conclusion-The exposure to traYc fumes during working activities in medium to high traYc areas in Rome may give a relatively greater contribution to personal exposure to benzene than indoor sources present in confined environments. Smoking significantly contributed to internal exposure to benzene in both indoor and outdoor workers. (Occup Environ Med 2001;58:165-171)

A molecular epidemiological study on Roman policemen is ongoing. The results of a first assessment of the occupational exposure to aromatic compounds of 66 subjects engaged in traffic control and of 33 office workers are presented in this paper. Passive personal samplers and urinary biomarkers were used to assess exposure to benzene and polycyclic hydrocarbons during work shifts. The results obtained indicate that benzene exposure in outdoor workers is about twice as high as in office workers (geometric mean 7.5 and 3.4 micrograms/m3, respectively). The distribution of individual exposure values was asymmetrical and skewed toward higher values, especially among traffic wardens. Environmental benzene levels recorded by municipal monitoring stations during work shifts (geometric mean 11.2 micrograms/m3) were in the first instance comparable to or greater than individual exposure values. However, several outlier values were observed among personal data that greatly exceeded average environmental benzene concentrations. Among the exposure biomarkers investigated, only blood benzene correlated to some extent with previous exposure to benzene, while a seasonal variation in the excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene and trans-muconic acid was observed in both study groups. In conclusion, these results suggest that outdoor work gives a greater contribution than indoor activities to benzene exposure of Roman citizens. Moreover, relatively high-level exposures can be experienced by outdoor workers, even in the absence of large-scale pollution episodes.

The aim of the study was to perform a dimensional assessment of subjective stress in the Municipal Police of the City of Rome. We assessed two random samples of 590 traffic police and 590 clerical police officers of both sexes for subjective stress through the administration of the ‘Rapid Stress‐Assessment Scale’ (RSA), a self‐rated tool; subjects completed the questionnaire during a non‐working day. Subsequently, from each sample we randomly included two subsamples of 115 subjects each, to whom we administered the RSA at the beginning and at the end of their shift. Significant differences between traffic and clerical police officers were found in the RSA total score, which was higher among traffic agents. Traffic police officers were found significantly more often in the ‘high stress class’. Gender differences analysis showed higher scores among women. The analysis of the subsample of 230 persons showed a significantly greater degree of the RSA ‘depression’ cluster at the end of the shift only in traffic police officers. The assessment of over‐the‐counter drug use (NSAID, analgesics, etc.) showed that, among police officers habitually using such drugs, only the traffic police subgroup scored higher on the RSA. Our results could be taken to mean that the stress response of Municipal Police officers who work outdoors is more maladaptive than that of officers working in the office; this could be compatible with the existence of different occupational stressors between the two groups. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Multiple chemical sensitivity, commonly known as environmental illness, is a chronic disease in which exposure to low levels of chemicals causes correlated symptoms of varying intensity. With the continuous introduction of new substances, people with MCS suffer significant limitations to their living environment and frequently to their workplace. This paper describes the current situation as regards MCS and the critical points in its case definition, which is still not generally agreed upon; this makes it difficult to recognize with certainty, especially, its precise relationship with work. Other problems arise in relation to the occupational physician's role in diagnosing and managing the worker with the disorder, the question of low levels of exposure to chemicals, and the best measures possible to prevent it. A diagnostic “route” is proposed, useful as a reference for the occupational physician who is often called in first to identify cases suspected of having this disease and to manage MCS workers. Work-related problems for people with MCS depend not only on occupational exposure but also on the incompatibility between their illness and their work. More occupational physicians need to be “sensitive” to MCS, so that these workers are recognized promptly, the work is adapted as necessary, and preventive measures are promoted in the workplace.