Exposure to low levels of hydrogen sulphide and its impact on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung function in the geothermal area of Mt. Amiata in Italy: The cross-sectional InVETTA study.

Background: The geothermal power plants for electricity production currently active in Italy are all located in Mt. Amiata area in the Tuscany region. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the framework of the regional project "InVETTA-Biomonitoring Survey and Epidemiological Evaluations for the Protection of Health in the Amiata Territories", using objective measures of lung function to investigate the role of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in affecting the respiratory health of the population living in this area.

Long-term exposure to low-level arsenic in drinking water is associated with cause-specific mortality and hospitalization in the Mt. Amiata area (Tuscany, Italy).

Background: Arsenic in drinking water is a global public health concern. This study aims to investigate the association between chronic low-level exposure to arsenic in drinking water and health outcomes in the volcanic area of Mt. Amiata in Italy, using a residential cohort study design.

Levels and determinants of urinary and blood metals in the geothermal area of Mt. Amiata in Tuscany (Italy).

Natural sources and anthropogenic activities are responsible for the widespread presence of heavy metals in the environment in the volcanic and geothermal area of Mt. Amiata (Tuscany, Italy). This study evaluates the extent of the population exposure to metals and describes the major individual and environmental determinants.

Community Concern about the Health Effects of Pollutants: Risk Perception in an Italian Geothermal Area.

Geothermal fluids for electricity and heat production have long been exploited in the Mt. Amiata area (Tuscany, Italy). Public concern about the health impact of geothermal plants has been present from the outset.

Thallium Contamination of Drinking Water: Health Implications in a Residential Cohort Study in Tuscany (Italy).

In 2014-2015, concentrations of thallium above the recommended reference value (EPA: 2 µg/L) were measured in some parts of the drinking water distribution system in the municipality of Pietrasanta (Tuscany, Italy). An extensive campaign of water samples and human biomonitoring surveys were implemented to quantify the exposure of population. A residential cohort epidemiological study was carried out on the population of the municipality of Pietrasanta, aimed at comparing the health status of residents in the areas affected by thallium contamination with residents living in the rest of the municipality.

[Epidemiological study on the population resident in the neighbourhood of an incinerator in Tuscany Region (Central Italy)].

Objectives: to evaluate the health impact of the emissions of two waste incinerators located in the same area in Pietrasanta (Tuscany Region, Central Italy) at the border with the municipality of Camaiore, especially for diseases suggested in previous studies to be related to those emissions.

Design: epidemiological geographic study.

Setting And Participants: the study population was defined on the basis of residence in the two municipalities and in the areas characterized by Particulate Matter with diameter equal or less than 2.

Human biomonitoring to assess exposure to thallium following the contamination of drinking water.

In 2014, in some parts of the water distribution system of the municipality of Pietrasanta (Tuscany, Italy), thallium (Tl) levels above the recommended limits were measured and some restrictions to water usage for drinking and food preparation were imposed. The study aimed to assess Tl exposure and possible health effects by means of a human biomonitoring survey. In the 2014-2016 time frame, 2154 urine and 254 hair samples were taken from different population groups and from a control group.

Health effects associated with short-term exposure to hydrogen sulfide from geothermal power plants: a case-crossover study in the geothermal areas in Tuscany.

Objective: Thirty-four geothermal power plants for the production of electricity are currently active in the geothermal areas in Tuscany. The present study aimed to investigate the association between short-term exposure to hydrogen sulfide (HS) and acute health outcomes.

Methods: This study used individual data on non-accidental, cardiovascular and respiratory mortality, urgent hospital admissions (HA) and emergency department (ED) visits for cardiorespiratory diseases occurring from 2000 to 2017.

The health of communities living in proximity of geothermal plants generating heat and electricity: A review.

Since the 1990s, in areas with natural geothermal manifestations studies on the association between exposure to pollutants and health effect have become increasingly relevant. These emissions consist of water vapor mixed with carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide (HS), methane and, to a lesser extent, rare gases and trace elements in volatile forms. Considering the indications of the World Health Organization and the growth in the use of geothermal energy for energy production, this review aims to report studies exploring the health status of the populations living in areas where geothermal energy is used to produce heat and electricity.

Health effects associated with chronic exposure to low-level hydrogen sulfide from geothermoelectric power plants. A residential cohort study in the geothermal area of Mt. Amiata in Tuscany.

Background: Geothermal power plants for the production of electricity are currently active in Mt. Amiata, Italy. The present study aimed to investigate the association between chronic low-level exposure to HS and health outcomes, using a residential cohort study design.

Health effects among a cohort exposed to low-level arsenic in a geothermal area of Tuscany, Italy.

Background: Studies on low-level As exposure have not found an association with cancer, while increased risks were reported for skin lesions, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and reproductive outcomes. Prospective observational studies with individual exposure measures are needed to study low-level As exposure effects. In a geothermal area in Southern Tuscany (Italy), characterized by a natural presence of As in drinking water (< 50 µg/l), As urinary concentrations were measured in a survey in 1998 and cohort members were followed to evaluate the effects on health.

Mortality of populations residing in geothermal areas of Tuscany during the period 2003-2012.

Introduction: The limited scientific knowledge on the relationship between exposure and health effects in relation to geothermal activity motivated an epidemiologic investigation of Tuscan geothermal area.

Aim: This study aims at describing mortality of populations living in Tuscan municipalities in the period 2003-2012.

Method: Sixteen municipalities were included in the study area: eight in the northern and eight in the southern area.

The effects of ozone on human health.

Ozone is a highly reactive, oxidative gas associated with adverse health outcome, including mortality and morbidity. Data from monitoring sites worldwide show levels of ozone often exceeding EU legislation threshold and the more restrictive WHO guidelines for the protection of human health. Well-established evidence has been produced for short-term effects, especially on respiratory and cardiovascular systems, associated to ozone exposure.

[Impacts of geocoding quality in environmental epidemiology studies: two case-studies in Tuscany Region (Central Italy)].

Objectives: Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are widely used in environmental epidemiology studies to locate study population by geocoding addresses and to evaluate exposures and relationship with health outcomes. Despite this, Italian environmental epidemiologists poorly discuss quality of address geocoding results.

Design: two case-studies have been carried out in Tuscany Region (Central Italy): one in the mountain area in the Municipality of Piancastagnaio (Siena Province) and one in the urban area around the airport of Florence.

[Policies for the promotion of sustainable mobility and the reduction of traffic-related air pollution in the cities participating in the EpiAir2 project].

Objective: to describe transport policies adopted in recent years (2006-2010) by some Italian municipalities and their effectiveness.

Design And Setting: survey data refer to fifteen cities participating in the EpiAir2 project: Torino, Milano, Venezia, Bologna, Firenze, Pisa, Roma, Taranto, Palermo, Cagliari, Trieste, Genova, Ancona, Napoli, and Bari.

Results: this survey revealed strengths and weaknesses of the way in which these Italian cities address the promotion of sustainable mobility.

Ozone short-term exposure and acute coronary events: a multicities study in Tuscany (Italy).

Objective: Many studies have investigated the potential role of ozone exposure in cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. The effects on specific cardiovascular outcome and the role of individual susceptibility are less studied. This paper focuses on the short-term effects of ozone on acute coronary events and it investigates comorbidities as indicators of personal susceptibility.

[State of health of populations residing in geothermal areas of Tuscany].

Objective: The limited scientific knowledge on relationship between exposure and health effects in relation to geothermal activity motivated an epidemiologic investigation in Tuscan geothermal area. The study aims to describe the health status of populations living in Tuscany municipalities where concessions for exploitation of geothermal resources were granted.

Design: This is an ecological study, so it is not useful to produce evidence to sustain a judgment on the cause-effect link.

Body composition variables and leptin levels in functional hypothalamic amenorrhea and amenorrhea related to eating disorders.

The purpose of the study was to identify diagnostic criteria that can distinguish between subjects with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea largely related to minimal energy deficiency and those in whom failure of adaptive response to stress prevails. We studied 59 young women with secondary amenorrhea related to modest eating disorders and 58 who complained of stressful events in their history. We assessed anthropometric measurements, body composition using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and basal endocrine profile.

Short-term association between ambient air pollution and risk of hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction: results of the cardiovascular risk and air pollution in Tuscany (RISCAT) study.

Air pollutant levels have been widely associated with increased hospitalizations and mortality from cardiovascular disease. In this study, the authors focused on pollutant levels and triggering of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Data on AMI hospitalizations, air quality, and meteorologic conditions were collected in 6 urban areas of Tuscany (central Italy) during 2002-2005.

Geographical information system and environmental epidemiology: a cross-sectional spatial analysis of the effects of traffic-related air pollution on population respiratory health.

Background: Traffic-related air pollution is a potential risk factor for human respiratory health. A Geographical Information System (GIS) approach was used to examine whether distance from a main road (the Tosco-Romagnola road) affected respiratory health status.

Methods: We used data collected during an epidemiological survey performed in the Pisa-Cascina area (central Italy) in the period 1991-93.

[Traffic patterns regulations to reduce air pollution in the Italian cities participating in the EpiAir Project].

Objective: to provide an overview of the mobility policies implemented by local administrations participating in the EpiAir Project in recent years (2001-2007).

Design And Setting: data on the resident population, housing density, and composition and evolution of vehicular fleet were collected from Istat and ACI databases. A questionnaire on the general urban circumstances and on mobility policies that have direct and indirect effects on air quality was submitted to local administrations.

Polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescence.

The definition of polycystic ovary syndrome in very young girls is complicated by the fact that many features typical of the syndrome can also be seen as physiological stages in the maturation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis. The role of reduced insulin sensitivity in the pathogenesis and evolution of the disorder has gained more importance over recent years: both elevated androgen levels and being overweight may influence the impairment of glucose metabolism. Our study focused on 250 girls in the first 8 years of gynecological age.

[Assessing the effectiveness of local transport policies for improvements in urban air quality and public health: a review of scientific literature].

Objective: to provide a synthesis of the state of the art on the effectiveness of local transport policies on improvements in air quality and public health.

Design And Setting: we searched published scientific articles focused on the evaluation of the accountability of local transport policies on emissions levels, on air pollutants concentrations, on air pollution-related health outcomes (respiratory and cardiovascular health).

Results: we selected 19 articles and reviews; authors used different methods to define and to monitor environmental and health indicators and data analyses are conducted on different spatio-temporal scales.