A wide body of evidence indicates that
environmental and occupational risk factors are associated with the
development of pathological disorders. The pathogenic role of many
environmental pollutants or occupational contaminants is already
known and has been extensively investigated. However, the molecular
mechanisms of action and the pathogenic effects of many substances
remain unknown. Therefore, there is a need to better investigate
the role of new environmental and occupational risk factors that
may cause the development of several diseases.
The association between occupational risk factors
and diseases has been studied since 1700. Percivall Pott was the
pioneer of observational studies on occupational risk factors and
tumor development. In the second half of the 18th century, Pott
demonstrated how the rate of incidence of testicular cancer was
higher in London chimney sweepers compared to the general
population. These findings were explained by the poor hygienic
conditions of these workers; following persistent exposure to ash,
they developed tumors (1).
Subsequently, with the advances of scientific knowledge on the role
of the environment in public health, other risk factors have been
identified and well characterized, in fact, several premature
deaths are due firstly to ischemic heart disease and stroke caused
by outdoor air pollution, secondly are due to chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease or acute lower respiratory tract infections and,
finally, lung cancer (2). Some air
pollutants, such as heavy metals or polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs), have been considered certain risk factors for
the development of a number of pathologies (3), including neoplastic diseases
(4,5) but also the excess of classic
pollutants such as NOx, PM10, PM2.5 and SO2 are related to high
mortality in particular also in urban environment (6,7).
Different molecular mechanisms induced by such
environmental and occupational risk factors have been identified.
In the case of heavy metals, one of the main mechanisms of action
is represented by the interaction between these elements and
enzymatic activities involved in cell functioning (8). Other substances, such as PAHs,
mineral fibers, biological agents (viruses and bacteria),
pesticides, air pollutants (PM10 particulates, radon gas and
chlorofluorocarbons) are able to directly interact with DNA and
determine driver mutations that lead to neoplastic transformation
(9–19).
The Special Issue entitled ‘Environmental and
occupational risk factors associated with different pathological
conditions’ aims to provide a broad overview of the gained
knowledge about the interaction between environmental and
professional risk factors during disease development. The exact
characterization of these factors, and their roles in human
diseases, may prove to be useful in the identification of novel
strategies aimed at reducing such risk factors and, in turn, the
disease rate. Accordingly, the issue contains original data and an
extensive analysis of the literature, emphasizing the molecular
actions of various pollutants at the cellular and systemic level.
The roles of heavy metals in deep vein thrombosis, including
modifications of oxidative stress markers, kidney failure and
cancer are also discussed. In this context, the treatment with
propionyl L-carnitine may induce the reduction of such oxidative
parameters (20,21). Furthermore, the pathogenic role of
volcanic dust and mineral fibers in the context of lung diseases is
shown. The toxic effects of lead, benzene and pesticide exposure in
workers are also discussed. Such effects may comprise the
occurrence of immunologic reaction including the hypersensitivity
that can be modulate with different immunosuppressive treatments
(22,23). Finally, among the biological
occupational risk factors, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is
also described as one of the main factors responsible for
extrahepatic manifestations.
According to the contents of this issue, it is clear
that in addition to the already known lifestyle habits (24), the environmental and occupational
exposure to several hazardous compounds is also linked to the
development of several chronic degenerative diseases, including
cancer. The pathogenic mechanisms of oncogenic transformation are
often caused by the activation of several pathways, such as p53,
Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT (21–25).
Based on these data, additional studies are required in order to
determine and characterize the type of contaminants and the
estimated exposure values that lead to the development of
pathologies. Epidemiological registries and environmental data on
the association between specific risk factors and the development
of diseases may be of utmost importance, ensuring a better health
surveillance and a more effective evaluation of the risks in
exposed individuals.
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1
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