Association between daily levels of air pollution and school absences in the proximity of a cement plant in Italy

Background: Emission of dust represents the main hazard associated with cement production and may cause adverse respiratory health effects to the population living nearby. Aim: To evaluate the association between daily levels of PM10 and a morbidity indicator (school absenteeism) in children aged 7-14 years attending a school within 2km from a cement plant in Fumane (Northern Italy). Methods: Data on absences of students (average: 461 students/year) and daily concentrations of PM10 from a fixed monitoring station placed in the schoolyard were collected for 3 school years (541 school days from November 2007 to June 2010). The association between pollution in the same day (Lag 0) and in the previous 4 days (Lag 1 to 4) and school absenteeism was studied using generalized additive Poisson regression models, adjusting for short-term trend, day of the week, flu epidemics and daily temperature. Results: During the considered period, the daily average concentration of PM10 was 34.8 µg/m³. An increase of 10 µg/m³ of PM10 was associated with a significant increase of 2.2% in school absences (RR:1.022; 95%CI: 1.007-1.037) two days after (lag2). The association between average level of pollutants from Lag 0 to Lag 4 and school absences confirmed the presence of a statically significant association with PM10 levels (RR:1.016; 95%CI:1.003-1.029 for each + µg/m³ of PM10). Conclusions: Daily PM10 levels are associated with school absences, a proxy indicator of short-term morbidity, in children who attend schools in proximity to a cement plant. Primary prevention interventions aimed at reducing air pollution in the area are recommended

Association between PM10 concentrations and school absences in proximity of a cement plant in northern Italy

Dusts are one of the main air pollutants emitted during cement manufacturing. A substantial part of these are breathable particles that are less than 10 μm in diameter (PM10), which represent a potential threat for the health of the exposed population. This study aimed at evaluating the short-term effects of PM10 concentrations on the health of children, aged 6–14 years, who attended the schools in Fumane (Italy), in proximity (1.2 km) to a large cement plant. School absenteeism was used as a proxy indicator of child morbidity. Time series of daily school absences and PM10 concentrations were collected for 3 school-years from 2007 to 2010 (541 school-days, 462 children on average). The associations between PM10 concentrations and school absence rates in the same day (lag0) and in the following 4 days (lag1 to lag4) were evaluated using generalised additive models, smoothed for medium/long term trends and adjusted for day of the week, influenza outbreaks, daily temperature and rain precipitations. The average concentration of PM10 in the period was 34 (range: 4–183) μg/m3. An average 10 μg/m3 increase of PM10 concentration in the previous days (lag0–4) was associated with a statistically significant 2.5% (95%CI: 1.1–4.0%) increase in the rate of school absences. The highest increase in the absence rates (2.4%; 95%CI: 1.2–3.5%) was found 2 days after exposure (lag2). These findings provide epidemiological evidence of the acute health effects of PM10 in areas with annual concentrations that are lower than the legal European Union limit of 40 μg/m3, and support the need to establish more restrictive legislative standards

Rapid HIA to support decision making in the Public Administration in Italy THE Vispa PROJECT

Since a decade HIA background and practice is growing up in Italy. The Ministry of Health endorsed the promotion and development of HIA practice funding the VISPA project to adapt HIA processes and tools in Public Administration (PA) activities and to prepare recommendations in view of national guideline. Methods/approaches. The feasibility of a rapid HIA protocol for plans and projects embedded in the PA decision-making process was tested involving 34 trained operators in six different Italian Regions. Twenty-eight casestudies regarding waste, city planning, energy, industrial districts and farms, were selected by a screening-scoping exercise. The developed toolkit supported the involved Public Officials during the phases of assessment, appraisal and reporting of results. Results. The proposed rapid HIA was always feasible with few exceptions. Positive outputs were achieved in terms of capacity building, identification of relevant subject, integration with other assessment tools. A final step-by-step procedure was validated and actors, tools and timing were identified. An audio-video guide was released to facilitate the use and transferability of the products. Conclusions. The experimental approach adopted highlighted a positive feedback. The burdensome of the application was recognised and critical issues appeared the citizen participation and the inter-departments cooperation