In NICU, systematic exposure to sound pressure levels above the recommended can affect both ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 2 neonates and staff. This study aimed to evaluate the sound pressure levels in three Portuguese NICU and the noise perception of staff. The measurements were performed with a sound level meter, considering the location of the main sources of noise and the layout of the units. A questionnaire was applied to assess noise perception of professionals. The staff classified the environment (regarding noise) as -slightly uncomfortable‖ (41.1%) and 48.4% considered it as -acceptable‖. In addition, the majority (55.5%) considered -equipment‖ as the most annoying source of noise. The results showed that noise levels were excessive in all the evaluated areas of the NICUs, exceeding international guidelines, with the levels ranging between 48.7 dBA to 71.7 dBA. Overall, there is a need for more research in order to verify the effectiveness of some actions and strategies to reduce the impact of noise in NICU.

Strategies for incorporating proper training in occupational safety at secondary schools are important, since young workers are more likely to be injured at work. However, for a successful educational intervention, an effective Occupational Safety Programme (OSP) with appropriate training methods should be designed and implemented. This study intends to analyze and compare the effects of an OSP in students from diverse school settings, when different training methods are applied. An OSP was designed focusing on the risks related to handling machinery and maintenance tasks and delivered to 301 students from two secondary schools and two vocational schools from the North of Portugal. The sample was divided into three groups, and for each group, a different training method was applied: theory-based; demonstration-based or testimonies-based. To assess its effectiveness, a questionnaire was developed for evaluating the following dimensions: risk acceptance, safety commitment, intended safety behaviors and safety knowledge. The questionnaire was applied two weeks before and after the OSP. A significantly positive effect of the OSP was identified in all dimensions. Comparisons between the three methods showed a greater effect of the testimonies-based intervention in risk acceptance and intended safety behaviors; however, for safety knowledge and safety commitment this was the least effective method. The influence of school type was observed for the safety behaviors and safety commitment dimensions. In conclusion, this study's results suggested that more engaging methods had larger effects on student risk acceptance and intended safety behaviors, while expositive and demonstrative methods were more suitable to improve safety knowledge and commitment.

Children's play paints are widely used as didactic products in preschool activities. Besides direct skin contact, a great risk of oral exposure exists during its normal and foreseeable use. Due to the ubiquitous nature of most metals, their presence as impurities in all products is recognized as unavoidable. However, the toxic potential of most of them requires that their levels are kept as low as possible. The present study aimed to assess the content of selected heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Co, Ni, Mn, Cu and Zn) in "artist paints" (n=54) and "face paints" (n=12) commonly used in preschool establishments and available at low cost stores. Determinations were carried out by GFAAS (for Pb, Cd, Co, Cr and Ni) and FAAS (for Mn, Cu and Zn). The levels obtained [mean±SD (maximum)] were: 0.48±0.44 (1.98) µg g-1 for Pb; 0.04±0.04 (0.30) µg g-1 for Cd; 0.17±0.20 (1.47) µg g-1 for Co; 1.36±2.18 (9.40) µg g-1 for Cr; 0.63±0.56 (3.10) µg g-1 for Ni; 19.8±88.2 (718) µg g-1 for Mn; 108±260 (1458) µg g-1 for Cu; 130±564 (3478) µg g-1 for Zn. A safety assessment considering the estimated potential exposure and health-based limits (tolerable daily intakes) was performed. Overall, the results showed no reasons for safety concerns regarding the studied elements.Dear Editor, I am submitting the article titled: "Chemical safety of children's play paints: focus on selected heavy metals" for publication in Microchemical Journal.

No abstract