[Health effects of environmental contamination due to volcanic ash of Mount Etna in autumn 2002].
OBJECTIVE
During autumn 2002 a large eruption of Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy) occurred. High levels (over 200 microg/m3) of total suspended particles (PM10) were recorded. The aim of the study was to evaluate the acute health effects on mortality and hospital admissions in the area around the volcano.


METHODS
Deaths and hospital admissions occurring during the eruption period were compared with the corresponding figures during the same periods of the previous year (same day of the week). Relative risks, RR, and their 95% confidence intervals, CI, were computed. Variations in daily hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases associated with daily level of PM10 were estimated.


RESULTS
No effects on overall and cause-specific mortality were observed during the eruption period. Increases were observed in hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases (ischemic diseases: RR 1.31, 95% CI 1.10-1.56; myocardial infarction: RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.02-1.76) and for cerebrovascular diseases (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.05-1.47). The excesses were stronger among the elderly. Daily admissions for cardiovascular diseases were not associated to PM10 levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The effects of the eruption of Mount Etna were limited to a temporary increase of cardiovascular morbidity, especially among the elderly, possibly as a consequence of stress.
Fano
Valeria
V
Dipartimento di epidemiologia, ASL Roma E, Roma. fano@asplazio.it
Cernigliaro
Achille
A
Scondotto
Salvatore
S
Cuccia
Mario
M
Forastiere
Francesco
F
Nicolosi
Adriana
A
Oliveri
Carmelo
C
Scillieri
Renato
R
Distefano
Patrizia
P
Perucci
Carlo A
CA
D000367:Age Factors; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D010316:Particle Size; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D012802:Sicily; D018707:Volcanic Eruptions / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000393:Air Pollutants