Epidemiological analysis of possible environmental-related health problems in two small towns of the Italian Region Umbria
Journal Title: Biomedicine & Prevention - Year 2017, Vol 2017, Issue 1
Abstract
The recent increasing attention of public opinion and politicians to the impact of air pollution on human health has certainly led to a raise in surveillance measures concerning environment health, as well as higher media pressure on the issue, with consequent risk of misinterpretation of scientific evidence. This is the background of the case of Piegaro and Panigale, two small towns in the Province of Perugia, central Italy. Here it has been hypothesized a link between a supposed increased incidence of leukemia and the presence of an ash deposit, in the area where a thermoelectric plant and a mining of lignite, in activity from 1958 to 2001, stood on. Aim of this study is to assess whether there is scientific evidence of an increased risk of neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases in the area. This purpose has been fulfilled comparing the incidence of selected diagnoses for residents in Piegaro and Panigale with those of all residents in Italy during the same time-period. Hospital discharge data concerning 39 main diagnoses –ICD9 codes 045, 151, 153, 154, 155, 157, 162, 172, 174, 179, 185, 188, 189, 201, 202, 204, 205, 250, 309, 331, 332, 342, 344, 345, 401, 402, 410, 414, 427, 428, 430, 491, 493, 518, 532, 571, 585, 695, 710, 714, 784, V56- from 2001 to 2013 were collected. During the investigated period no clear trend was identified. The only differences in risk –in excess or in defect- were almost equivalent, suggesting the absence of local factors impacting on the health status of residents. Only for incidence of “Chronic intermittent dialysis treatment” an exceeding risk was detected in both towns and in the surrounding area, but only for male and female population considered together, and with no concomitant increase in the rate of chronic renal failure, probably reflecting the impact of an agent no more active at the moment. Concerning leukemia, a slight excess in the incidence of myeloid leukemia for the whole population (male and female) was detected in the city of Piegaro. The most plausible environmental factors for this association are smoking and exposure to benzene. A search for the presence of these risk factors might be useful in order to implement effective preventive measures.
Authors and Affiliations
Antonio Pietroiusti, Francesca Lucaroni, Nicola Toschi, Andrea Duggento, Leonardo Palombi
Keywords
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