Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Health and work among women in Italy: An overview of the epidemiological literature

  • Published:
European Journal of Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to give an overview of the epidemiological studies completed in Italy during the past 25 years, about the role of occupational exposures on the development of adverse health effects on women. The implications for research developments are also discussed. The epidemiological investigations of selected categories of work-related health effects published in Italy in the years 1970–1995 were identified from the medical literature databases. The total number of studies is 142, including cohort mortality studies (n=12), case–control studies of different neoplasms (n=14), investigations of adverse reproductive effects (n=8) and studies of occupational diseases different from the above (n=94). In most investigations, women workers were not the main study objective and hence the number of females under study was small. The conclusions is that in Italy, given the dearth of studies of female workers and the preponderance of women in many economic sectors, i.e. the textile and shoe industry, health care, personal services and schools, there is a need to identify women workers in the above industries and occupations as priorities for epidemiological research and surveillance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Levine M, Walter P, Lee H, Haines T, Holbrook A, Moyer V. Users' guides to the medical literature. JAMA 1994; 271(20): 1615–1619.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Costa G, Faggiano F, Lagorio S, eds. Mortalità per professioni in Italia negli anni '80. Collana Quaderni ISPESL n. 2. Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 1995.

  3. Seniori Costantini A, Pirastu R, Lagorio S, et al. Studying cancer among female workers: Methods and preliminary results from a record-linkage system in Italy. J Occup Med 1994; 36(11): 118–1186.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bertazzi PA, Riboldi L, Pesatori A, et al. Cancer mortality of capacitor manufacturing workers. Am J Ind Med 1987; 11: 165–176.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Tarchi M, Orsi D, Comba P, De Santis M, et al. Cohort mortality study of rock salt workers in Italy. Am J Ind Med 1994; 25: 251–256.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Cocco PL, Carta P, Flore V, et al. Lung cancer mortality among female mine workers exposed to silica. J Occup Med 1994; 36(8): 894–898.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Costa G, Merletti F, Segnan N. A mortality cohort study in a north Italian aircraft factory. Brit J Ind Med 1989; 46: 738–743.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Merler E, Baldasseroni A, Laria R, et al. On the causal association between exposure to leather dust and nasal cancer: Further evidence from a case-control study. Br J Ind Med 1986; 43: 91–95.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Paci E, Buiatti E, Seniori Costantini A, et al. Aplastic anemia, leukemia and other cancer mortality in a cohort of shoe workers exposed to benzene. Scand J Work Environ & Health 1989; 15: 313–318.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Simonato L, Fletcher A, Cherrie J, et al. The man-made mineral fiber European historical cohort study. Extension of the follow-up. Scand J Work Environ & Health 1986; 12(suppl. 1): 34–47.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Belli S, Comba P, De Santis M, et al. Mortality study of workers employed by the Italian National Institute of Health 1960–1989. Scand J Work Environ & Health 1992; 18: 64–67.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Faustini A, Forastiere F, Di Betta L, et al. Cohort study of mortality among farmers and agricultural workers. Med Lav 1993; 84: 31–41.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Merler E, Boffetta P, Masala G, et al. A cohort study of workers compensated for mercury intoxication following employment in the hat manufacturing industry. J Occup Med 1994; 36(11): 1260–1264.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Magnani C, Terracini B, Bertolone GP, et al. Mortalità per tumori e altre malattie del sistema respiratorio tra i lavoratori del cemento-amianto a Casale Monferrato. Uno studio di coorte storico. Med Lav 1987; 78(6): 441–453.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Magnani C, Terracini B, Ivaldi C, et al. A cohort study on mortality among wives of workers in the asbestos cement industry in Casale Monferrato, Italy. Brit J Ind Med 1993; 50: 779–784.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Magnani C, Comba P, Di Paola M. Mesoteliomi pleurici nell'Oltrepo' pavese: Mortalità, incidenza e correlazioni con un insediamento del cemento amianto. Med lav 1994; 85(2): 157–160.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Magnani C, Zanetti R, Schiavo D, et al. Lung cancer mortality in Casale Monferrato (Italy) and attributable risk to occupations in the asbestos-cement production. Epid Prev 1995; 19: 338–341.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Giarelli L, Bianchi C, Grandi G. Malignant mesothelioma of the pelura in Trieste, Italy. Am J Ind Med 1992; 22: 521–530.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Dodoli D, Del Nevo M, Fiumalbi C, et al. Environmental household exposures to asbestos and occurrence of pleural mesothelioma. Am J Ind Med 1992; 21: 681–687.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Bianchi C, Brollo A, Ramani L, et al. Asbestos-related mesothelioma in Monfalcone, Italy. Am J Ind Med 1993; 24: 149–160.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Chellini E, Fornaciai G, Merler E, et al. Pleural malignant mesothelioma in Tuscany, Italy (1970–1988), II. Identification of occupational exposure to asbestos. Am J Ind Med 1994; 2: 577–585.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Di Paola M, Mastrantonio M, Comba P, et al. Distribuzione territoriale della mortalità per tumore maligno della pleura in Italia. Ann Ist Super Sanità 1992; 28(4): 589–600.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Vineis P, Terracini B, Ciccone G, et al. Phenoxy herbicides and soft-tissue sarcomas in female rice weeders. Scand J Work Environ & Health 1986; 13: 9–17.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Serraino D, Franceschi S, La Vecchia C, et al, Occupation and soft-tissue sarcoma in northeastern Italy. CCC 1992; 3: 25–30.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Comba P, Barbieri PG, Battista G, et al. Cancer of the nose and paranasal sinuses in the metal industry: A case-control study. Br. J Ind Med 1992; 49: 193–196.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Comba P, Battista G, Belli S, et al. A case-control study of cancer of the nose and paranasal sinuses and occupational exposures. Am J Ind Med 1992; 22: 511–520.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Donna A, Betta PG, Robutti F, et al. Ovarian mesothelial tumors and herbicides: A case-control study. Carcinogenesis 1984; 5(7): 941–942.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Donna A, Crosignani P, Robutti F, et al. Triazine herbicides and ovarian epithelial neoplasms. Scand J Work Environ & Health 1989; 15: 47–53.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Maffi L, Vineis P. Occupation and bladder cancer in females. Med Lav 1986; 77(5): 511–514.

    Google Scholar 

  30. La Vecchia C, Negri E, D'Avanzo B, et al. Occupation and the risk of bladder cancer. Int J Epidemiol 1990; 19(2): 264–267.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Barbone F, Franceschi S, Talamini R, et al. Occupation and bladder cancer in Pordenone (north-East Italy): A case-control study. Int J Epidemiol 1994; 23(1): 58–65.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Musicco M, Sant M, Molinari S, et al. A case-control study of brain gliomas and occupational exposure to chemical carcinogens: The risk to farmers. Am J Epidemiol 1988; 128(4): 778–785.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Franceschi S, Barbone F, Bidoli E, et al. Cancer risk in farmers: Results from a multi-site case-control study in north-eastern Italy. Int J Cancer 1993; 53: 740–745.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Hatch CA, Stein ZA. Agents in the workplace and effects on reproduction. In: Hatch MA, Stein ZA (eds), State of the Art Reviews: Occupational Medicine. Vol. 1. New York: Hanley & Belfus, 1986: 531–534.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Figà Talamanca I. Spontaneous abortion among industrial workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1984; 54: 163–171.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Battiglioni F, Gori G, Bandi G. Influenza dell'attività lavorativa sulla interruzione non volontaria della gravidanza. Atti del Convegno Aborto non volontario e ambienti di vita. Rome: Istituto Italiano di Medicina Sociale, 1978: 51–82.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Buscaglia M, D'Ambrosio F, Terzian E, et al. Nocività ambientale e gravidanza: Epidemiologia ed etiopatogenesi dell'aborto. Atti del Convegno Aborto non volontario e ambienti di vita. Rome: Istituto Italiano di Medicina Sociale, 1978: 25–50.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Guidetti P. Indagine sulle lavoratrici della ceramica a Sassuolo. Atti del Convegno Aborto non volontario e ambienti di vita. Rome: Istituto Italiano di Medicina Sociale, 1978: 124–129.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Lenzi R. Ambiente di lavoro e interruzione non volontaria di gravidanza: Aspetti metodologici e risultati di ricerche eseguite in fabbriche con manodopera femminile. Atti del Convegno Aborto non volontario e ambienti di vita. Rome: Istituto Italiano di medicina Sociale, 1978: 83–92.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Nannetti F, Buscaglia M, Cipolla L. Analisi dei rischi ambientali prevalenti. Atti del Convegno La salute riproduttiva della donna lavoratrice. Rome: Istituto Italiano di Medicina Sociale, 1984: 35–73.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Figà Talamanca I, Scimmi D, Spinelli A. Esposizioni professionali e fertilità: Il ritardo del concepimento come indicatore di danno riproduttivo da agenti ambientali. Atti del LVI Congresso della Società Italiana di Medicina del Lavoro e Igiene Industriale, Venezia. Padova: SAEditoriali, 1993; 620–622.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Bianchi F, Cianciulli D, Seniori Costantini A, et al. Congential malformations and maternal occupation: A registry based case-referent study. Occup Environ Med 1997; 54: 223–228.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Spagnolo A, Bianchi F, Calabro A, et al. Anophtalmia and benomyl in Italy: A multicenter study based on 940,615 new-borns. Reproductive Toxicology 1994; 8(5): 397–403.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Magnani C, Pastore G, Luzzato L, et al. Risk factors for soft tissue sarcomas in chilhood: A case-control study. Tumori 1989; 75: 396–400.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Magnani C, Pastore G, Luzzato L, et al. Parental occupation and other environmental factors in the aetiology of leukemias and non-Hodgkin lymphomas in childhood: A case-control study. Tumori 1989; 76: 413–419.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Goldberg MS, Labrèche F. Occupational risk factors for female breast cancer: A review. Occup Environ Med 1996; 53: 145–156.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Tomatis L, Aitio A, Wilbourn J, et al. Human carcinogens so far identified. Jpn J Cancer Res 1989; 80: 795–807.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Hoar Zahm S, Pottern LM, Lewis DR, et al. Inclusion of women and minorities in occupational cancer epidemiologic research. J Occup Med 1994; 36(8): 842–847.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Infante PF, Pesak J. A historical perspective of some occupationally related diseases of women. J Occup Med 1994; 36(2): 826–831.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Stewart PA, Blair A. Women in the formaldehyde industry: Their exposures and their jobs. J Occup Med 1994: 36(8) 918–923.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Messing K, Dumais L, Courville J, et al. Evaluation of exposure data from men and women with the same job title. J Occup Med 1994; 36(8): 913–917.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Graham H. Hardship and health in women's lives. New York: Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Kovacs DC, Small MJ, Davidson CI, Fischhoff B. Behavioral factors affecting exposure potential for household cleaning products. J Exp Anal & Environ Epidemiol 1997; 7(4): 505–520.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Cardenas VM, Thun MJ, Austin H, Lally CA, Clark WS, Greenberg RS, et al. Environmental tobacco smoke and lung cancer mortality in the American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study. II. CCC 1997; 8(1): 57–64.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Joffe M. Biases in research on reproduction and women's work. Int J Epidemiol 1985; 14(1): 118–123.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Joffe M. Epidemiology of occupational reproductive hazards. Rev Epidem et Sante Publ 1992; 40: S17-S25.

    Google Scholar 

  57. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Setting priorities in occupational health. IARC Technical Report 1986/001.

  58. Taskinen KH, Olsen J, Bach B. Experiences in developing legislation protecting reproductive health. JOEM 1995; 37(8) 974–979.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Wingard D. The sex differential in morbidity, mortality and lifestyle. Annu Rev Public Health 1984; 4: 433–458.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Saraceno C. Women get ill, men die. Epid Prev 1996; 20: 238–240.

    Google Scholar 

  61. ISTAT Indagine Multiscopo sulle Famiglie. Condizioni di salute e ricorso ai servizi sanitari. Rome: ISTAT, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Hatch M. Women's work and women's health. Epid Prev 1996; 20: 176–179.

    Google Scholar 

  63. IARC Monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans, Vol 38, Tobacco smoking. Lyon: IARC, 1986.

  64. Janghorbani M, Hedley AJ, Jones RB, et al. Gender differential in all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. Int J. Epidemiol 1993; 22(6): 1056–1063.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Henderson M. Priorities for research to meet women's health needs. Ann Epidemiol 1994; 4: 172–173.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Fletcher SW. Summing up epidemiology's effect on women's health — and vice versa. Ann Epidemiol 1994; 4: 174–175.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Hatch M. Women, work, and health. Am J Ind Med 1997; 32: 303–308.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal and Human Biology, Università La Sapienza, Rome, Italy

    Roberta Pirastu

  2. The Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy

    Susanna Lagorio

  3. The Center for Study and Prevention of Cancer, Unit of Occupational Epidemiology, Florence, Italy

    Lucia Miligi & Adele Seniori Costantini

Authors
  1. Roberta Pirastu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Susanna Lagorio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lucia Miligi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Adele Seniori Costantini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pirastu, R., Lagorio, S., Miligi, L. et al. Health and work among women in Italy: An overview of the epidemiological literature. Eur J Epidemiol 15, 51–57 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007522000856

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007522000856

Search

Navigation