title: Acute effects of urban and industrial pollution in a government-designated "Environmental risk area": the case of Brindisi, Italy.
abstract: Exposure to air pollutants has been associated with increased hospital admissions (HAs) for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. This work describes a short-term epidemiological study in Brindisi, a highly industrialized town in Southern Italy. The effects of daily exposure to PM10 and NO2 on daily HAs for cardiac, respiratory, and cerebrovascular diseases were investigated by means of a case-crossover design in the period 2001-2007. Results showed positive associations between PM10 and HAs for cardiac and respiratory diseases and between NO2 and HAs for all the categories of diseases considered, particularly among females. Although not statistically significant, increased risk was observed for wind blowing from the port and the industrial area. Findings confirm the health risks associated with ambient air pollution exposure, even though NO2 and PM10 concentrations were below the legal limits. This may be due to the complex scenario of emissions in the area, which should be better investigated.
authors: a National Research Council, Institute of Clinical Physiology , Monteroni , Italy.
authors: Emilio Antonio Luca
authors: EA
authors: Gianicolo
authors: Antonella
authors: A
authors: Bruni
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Mangia
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Cervino
authors: Maria Angela
authors: MA
authors: Vigotti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D002947:Cities; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide / Q000633:toxicity*; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000633:toxicity*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors; D014919:Wind
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide