SCC0925 - MANAGEMENT OF HYGIENISTIC AND TOXICOLOGICAL EMERGENCIES

courses

ID:

SCC0925

Duration (hours):

48

CFU:

SSD:

MEDICINA DEL LAVORO

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Secondo Semestre (23/02/2026 - 29/05/2026)

Course Objectives

LEARNING OBJECTIVES The course aims to provide essential knowledge for the identification and characterization of hazards associated with chemical and biological agents, as well as the study of their potential impacts on human health. It intends to briefly illustrate the main categories of health risk agents, with particular reference to chemical risk agents that have potential toxicological effects. The training is designed to develop a critical and thorough understanding of hazard assessment processes, enabling accurate risk evaluation and effective, informed management of hygienic-toxicological emergencies in living and working environments. EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of the course, students will be able to: 1. Identify and classify the main hazards from chemical and biological agents, evaluating exposure routes and possible pathways into the body. 2. Analyze the potential toxicological and health impacts arising from exposure to these agents, focusing on prevention and damage containment. 3. Critically apply risk management principles to consciously address hygienic-toxicological emergencies, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical tools.

Course Prerequisites

No propaedeuticity constraints are present. However, knowledge of Physics and General Chemistry is recommended. Understanding of written English is understood to be assumed.

Teaching Methods

Frontal teaching, supported by power point presentations. Frontal lectures combine a robust theoretical approach with the discussion of real case studies. Throughout the lectures, the lecturer constantly encourages interaction with students, through moments of shared discussion and analysis of the topics presented, in order to stimulate and develop the ability to critically analyze and make interdisciplinary correlations.

Assessment Methods

Final written examination. The examination will cover the topics inherent in the course syllabus to define the level of learning and ability to understand the topics. To pass the test, the student must demonstrate adequate theoretical knowledge of the topics. More specifically, a final written test will be conducted to assess the learning outcomes, which consists of a written test with 30 multiple choice questions, only one of which is the correct one. The questions, are inherent to the program taught in class and allow to assess for 75% of the cases the level of knowledge of the topics and for the remaining 25% the ability to connect different aspects covered during the theoretical lectures and practical exercises. The final grade, expressed in thirtieths (sufficiency = 18/30), will depend on the arithmetic sum of the points obtained with each answer (1 point if it is correct, 0 if incorrect or omitted).

General aspects of risk assessment from hazardous chemical agents and biological agents, legislation regarding prevention in living and working places, and elements of first aid. Application examples from case studies for chemical agents [4 hours]. Hints of toxicology, toxicology of Industrial Processes, potential health impacts from occupational and environmental exposures to chemical agents (occupational diseases) [12 hours] Chemical Agents of Environmental Concern, Exposure and Health Impacts on the General Population [4 hours]. Hazard classification: The fallout in the workplace of the new European directives on chemical and carcinogenic agents [4 hours], with discussion of current cases [ additional 4 hours] Chemical agent hazard assessment: searching information from online sources and SDS, with practical case simulation [ 8 hrs] Emergency Management: COVID-19 (in living and working environments) [4 hours] Emergency Management-Assessment of Risk following Emergencies and Incidents with Release of Chemical Agents into the Environment [4 hours] Presentation and discussion of Case Studies [4 hours]

Course Language

ITALIAN

More information

Prof. Spinazzè is available to receive students in the classroom before and after classes, or in his office (DiSAT, via Valleggio 11, Como; or via Monte Generoso, Varese - Ex Colonia Agricola), by appointment to be requested by e-mail (andrea.spinazze@uninsubria.it).