Biomonitoring of the general population living near a modern solid waste incinerator: a pilot study in Modena, Italy.

Background And Goals: As part of the authorization process for the solid waste incinerator (SWI) in Modena, Italy, a human biomonitoring cross-sectional pilot study was conducted to investigate the degree to which people living and working in the proximity of the plant were exposed to SWI emissions.

Methods: Between May and June 2010, 65 subjects living and working within 4km of the incinerator (exposed) and 103 subjects living and working outside this area (unexposed) were enrolled in the study. Blood, serum and urinary metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Hg, Mn, Ni), urinary benzene, toluene, xylene (BTEX), S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA), and urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analysed.

Mortality and morbidity among people living close to incinerators: a cohort study based on dispersion modeling for exposure assessment.

Background: Several studies have been conducted on the possible health effects for people living close to incinerators and well-conducted reviews are available. Nevertheless, several uncertainties limit the overall interpretation of the findings. We evaluated the health effects of emissions from two incinerators in a pilot cohort study.

[Efficacy evaluation of preventive interventions: experience and proposal for road accident prevention strategies].

Objective: To supply the local administrators with a tool for a preventive evaluation of the improvements in road safety brought about by specific interventions which are planned. It is one of the first Italian experiences in the area.

Study Design: The database consists of the accidents occurring in three municipalities of the province of Modena characterized by accidents of high severity.