title: [Atmospheric pollution. Biological aspects and role of meteorologic factors in the distribution of respiratory hazards in the environment and relative prognostic and preventive measures].
abstract: The biometeorological factors underlying atmospheric pollution are discussed, together with its biological effects and its direct and indirect damage to human health. Damage is particularly likely when particularly adverse ambient and climatological conditions result in a massive and persistent concentration of contaminants in the ambient air. In this case, since the highly biologically interesting phenomenon of physicochemical reaction between pollutants and atmospheric components prevails over that of the dilution and dispersion of such contaminants, nature's major processes of removal and self-purification may be rendered nugatory and insufficiently prompt. The effects of atmospheric pollution, primarily with respect to urban background pollution, on human health make their appearance in the respiratory system, where there is a continuous relation between man and his environment throughout his life, in the form of immediate or short, medium and long-term damage. The desirability of preparing a meteorological map showing the distribution of the risk of atmospheric pollution is discussed. For this purpose, use could be made of meteorological data, and the hi-tech observations now made possible, inter alia, by the employment of satellites and aerospace data. A map of this kind would give more precise information concerning the part played by the weather in distributing the risk of respiratory damage caused by environmental pollution. It would also provide the knowledge required for the purpose of prediction and prevention in an organised struggle against such pollution. This would be of great social significance and value. Its practical applications could be enormous consequence to humanity.
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008685:Meteorological Concepts; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants
vernacular_title: Inquinamento atmosferico. Aspetti biologici e ruolo dei fattori meteorologici nella distribuzione del rischio respiratorio da ambiente, e relativi mezzi predittivi e preventivi.