title: Health effects for the population living near a cement plant: an epidemiological assessment.
abstract: Epidemiological studies have shown the association between the exposure to air pollution and several adverse health effects. To evaluate the possible acute health effects of air pollution due to the emissions of a cement plant in two small municipalities in Italy (Mazzano and Rezzato), a case-control study design was used. The risks of hospital admission for cardiovascular or respiratory diseases for increasing levels of exposure to cement plant emissions were estimated, separately for adults (age>34 years) and children (0-14 years). Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using unconditional regression models. Attributable risks were also calculated. Statistically significant risks were found mainly for respiratory diseases among children: OR 1.67 (95% CI 1.08-2.58) for the moderately exposed category (E1), OR 1.88 (95% CI 1.19-2.97) for the highly exposed category (E2), with an attributable risk of 38% of hospital admissions due to the exposure to cement plant exhausts. Adults had a weaker risk: OR 1.38 (95% CI 1.18-1.61) for group E1, OR 1.31 (95% CI 1.10-1.56) for group E2; the attributable risk was 23%. Risks were higher for females and for the age group 35-64. These results showed an association between the exposure to plant emissions and the risk of hospital admission for cardiovascular or respiratory causes; this association was particularly strong for children.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Epidemiology and Cancer Registry Unit, National Cancer Institute, Via G. Venezian 1, 20133 Milano, Italy. martina.bertoldi@istitutotumori.mi.it
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bertoldi
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borgini
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tittarelli
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fattore
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cau
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fanelli
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Crosignani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004782:Environmental Health; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006262:Health; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides / Q000032:analysis; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides