scholarly journals The Health Profile of Populations Living in Contaminated Sites: Sentieri Approach

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Pirastu ◽  
Roberto Pasetto ◽  
Amerigo Zona ◽  
Carla Ancona ◽  
Ivano Iavarone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Exposure ◽  
Environmental Remediation ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Deprivation Index ◽  
Contaminated Sites ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
National Priority ◽  
Standardized Mortality Ratios ◽  
Municipal Level

SENTIERI project (Epidemiological Study of Residents in Italian Contaminated Sites) studied mortality in the sites of national interest for environmental remediation (National Priority Contaminated Sites—NPCSs). SENTIERI described mortality of residents in NPCSSs, and it specifically focused on causes of death for which environmental exposure is suspected or ascertained to play an etiologic role. The epidemiological evidence of the causal association was classifieda prioriinto one of these three categories: Sufficient (S), Limited (L), and Inadequate (I). Mortality in the period 1995−2002 was studied for 63 single or grouped causes at the municipal level by computing: crude rate, standardized rate, standardized mortality ratios (SMR), and SMR adjusted for anad hocdeprivation index. Regional populations were used as references for SMR calculations and 90% CI accompanied SMR values. The deprivation index was constructed using 2001 national census variables for the following socioeconomic domains: education, unemployment, dwelling ownership, and overcrowding. SENTIERI results will allow the priorities setting in remediation intervention so as to prevent adverse health effects from environmental exposure. This paper’s objective is to present the rationale, methods, advantages, and limitations underlying SENTIERI project and to describe data and resources required to apply a similar approach in other countries.

scholarly journals Environment and Health in Contaminated Sites: The Case of Taranto, Italy

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Pirastu ◽  
Pietro Comba ◽  
Ivano Iavarone ◽  
Amerigo Zona ◽  
Susanna Conti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Remediation ◽  
Respiratory Diseases ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Industrial Area ◽  
Contaminated Sites ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk Reduction ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Environment And Health ◽  
National Priority ◽  
Study Results

The National Environmental Remediation programme in Italy includes sites with documented contamination and associated potential health impacts (National Priority Contaminated Sites—NPCSs). SENTIERI Project, an extensive investigation of mortality in 44 NPCSs, considered the area of Taranto, a NPCS where a number of polluting sources are present. Health indicators available at municipality level were analyzed, that is, mortality (2003–2009), mortality time trend (1980–2008), and cancer incidence (2006-2007). In addition, the cohort of individuals living in the area was followed up to evaluate mortality (1998–2008) and morbidity (1998–2010) by district of residence. The results of the study consistently showed excess risks for a number of causes of death in both genders, among them: all causes, all cancers, lung cancer, and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, both acute and chronic. An increased infant mortality was also observed from the time trends analysis. Mortality/morbidity excesses were detected in residents living in districts near the industrial area, for several disorders including cancer, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases. These coherent findings from different epidemiological approaches corroborate the need to promptly proceed with environmental cleanup interventions. Most diseases showing an increase in Taranto NPCS have a multifactorial etiology, and preventive measures of proven efficacy (e.g., smoking cessation and cardiovascular risk reduction programs, breast cancer screening) should be planned. The study results and public health actions are to be communicated objectively and transparently so that a climate of confidence and trust between citizens and public institutions is maintained.

Malignant mesotheliomas in residents in the National Priority Contaminated Sites in Tuscany

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Chellini ◽  
A Martini
Keyword(s):  
Malignant Mesothelioma ◽  
Environmental Remediation ◽  
Asbestos Exposure ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Contaminated Sites ◽  
Incidence Data ◽  
National Priority ◽  
Standard Population ◽  
Sentinel Event ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Background Asbestos is a well-known carcinogen. A law banning asbestos is active in Italy since 1992. A surveillance system on malignant mesothelioma is ongoing in Tuscany since 1988. The aim is to describe mesothelioma incidence in the specific regional areas defined as National Priority Contaminated Sites in order to have suggestions on specific environmental remediation activities focused on asbestos. Methods Malignant mesotheliomas diagnosed in residents during 1988-2019 in the above cited areas are extracted from the specific regional registry. Standardized incidence rates are calculated by area and gender using 2013 European as standard population. Standardized incidence ratios are also calculated by area in the whole period, using the regional rates as reference. The distribution of cases by exposure and areas are analyzed. Results In the examined areas 510 cases are registered (423 in men and 87 in women). Male incidence rates are 10.0 (IC90% 8.4-11.6), 5.8 (IC90%3.2-8.3), 5.5 (IC90% 4.1-6.9) and 1.7 (IC90% 0.0-3.9) respectively in Livorno, Piombino, Massa and Orbetello. Female incidence rates are far below than those observed for men. The highest standardized incidence ratio is observed in Livorno (3.1, IC90% 2.6-3.6). The vast majority of cases (no.393) are related to occupational asbestos exposure, mainly occurred in the same residence area. Asbestos familial and environmental exposure was attributed respectively to 22 and 4 cases. Conclusions The availability of a long series of incidence data on malignant mesotheliomas allowed to evaluate the asbestos impact among residents in Tuscan contaminated areas. The results obtained show the great importance of past occupational asbestos exposure. Key messages Malignant mesothelioma is a sentinel event of past asbestos exposure. The mesothelioma burden in the contaminated area is helpful to prioritise specific environmental remediation activities.

scholarly journals Influence of expertise on rockfall hazard assessment using empirical methods

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1657-1672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeline Delonca ◽  
Thierry Verdel ◽  
Yann Gunzburger
Keyword(s):  
Hazard Assessment ◽  
Significant Influence ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Statistical Treatment ◽  
Test Site ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Hazard Mapping ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Rockfall Hazard

Abstract. To date, many rockfall hazard assessment methods still consider qualitative observations within their analysis. Based on this statement, knowledge and expertise are supposed to be major parameters of rockfall assessment. To test this hypothesis, an experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the influence of knowledge and expertise on rockfall hazard assessment. Three populations were selected, having different levels of expertise: (1) students in geosciences, (2) researchers in geosciences and (3) confirmed experts. These three populations evaluated the rockfall hazard level on the same site, considering two different methods: the Laboratoire des Ponts et Chaussées (LPC) method and a method partly based on the "slope mass rating" (SMR) method. To complement the analysis, the completion of an "a priori" assessment of the rockfall hazard was requested of each population, without using any method. The LPC method is the most widely used method in France for official hazard mapping. It combines two main indicators: the predisposition to instability and the expected magnitude. Reversely, the SMR method was used as an ad hoc quantitative method to investigate the effect of quantification within a method. These procedures were applied on a test site divided into three different sectors. A statistical treatment of the results (descriptive statistical analysis, chi-square independent test and ANOVA) shows that there is a significant influence of the method used on the rockfall hazard assessment, whatever the sector. However, there is a non-significant influence of the level of expertise of the population the sectors 2 and 3. On sector 1, there is a significant influence of the level of expertise, explained by the importance of the temporal probability assessment in the rockfall hazard assessment process. The SMR-based method seems highly sensitive to the "site activity" indicator and exhibits an important dispersion in its results. However, the results are more similar with the LPC qualitative method, even in the case of sector 1.

Data Highways

2012 ◽  
pp. 223-241
Author(s):  
Karina Mabell Gomez ◽  
Daniele Miorandi ◽  
David Lowe
Keyword(s):  
Network Topology ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Reaction Diffusion ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Ad Hoc Wireless Networks ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Wireless Sensor ◽  
A Priori Knowledge ◽  
Reaction Diffusion Model

The design of efficient routing algorithms is an important issue in dense ad hoc wireless networks. Previous theoretical work has shown that benefits can be achieved through the creation of a set of data “highways” that carry packets across the network, from source(s) to sink(s). Current approaches to the design of these highways however require a–priori knowledge of the global network topology, with consequent communications burden and scalability issues, particularly with regard to reconfiguration after node failures. In this chapter, we describe a bio–inspired approach to generating these data highways through a distributed reaction–diffusion model that uses localized convolution with activation–inhibition filters. The result is the distributed emergence of data highways that can be tuned to provide appropriate highway separation and connection to data sinks. In this chapter, we present the underlying models, algorithms, and protocols for generating data highways in a dense wireless sensor network. The proposed methods are validated through extensive simulations performed using OMNeT++.

scholarly journals Three contaminated sites in southern Italy. The Neonatal Environment and Health Outcomes cohort: protocol for a longitudinal birth cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. e029471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Ruggieri ◽  
Gaspare Drago ◽  
Paolo Colombo ◽  
Alessio Alesci ◽  
Pasquale Augello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Ethics Committee ◽  
Contaminated Sites ◽  
Birth Cohort Study ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Environment And Health ◽  
National Priority

IntroductionExposure to environmental contaminants during pregnancy is one of the determinants of child’s future health outcomes. The effect of environmental pollution on pregnant women living in heavily polluted areas is of special interest and, in this context, the Neonatal Environment and Health Outcomes (NEHO) cohort will focus on the investigation of (1) toxicants transferred from the environment to the mother and from the mother to the developing fetus and (2) the influence of toxicants on pregnancy outcomes, fetal development and health status during infancy. Because the human placenta is positioned at the interface between the maternal/external environment and the embryo, it can be considered a highly informative matrix regarding many key pregnancy events that can shape infant’s future health.Methods and analysisThe NEHO cohort will enrol an estimated total of 800 pregnant women in three selected National Priority Contaminated Sites in southern Italy. Epidemiological data, concerning maternal health status, lifestyle and pregnancy, are obtained through questionnaires provided to the mother starting from the last 2 months of pregnancy. At delivery, maternal blood, umbilical cord blood and placenta tissue are collected to assess contaminant levels and to clarify how toxicants interact with the placental domain. Furthermore, placental transcriptome is studied in order to explore the interferences of toxicants on the role of the placenta in maternal/fetal interplay. Regular follow-up is planned at 6, 12 and 24 months.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by all the Ethics Committees of the three National Priority Contaminated Sites involved: the Ethics Committee of the University Hospitals of Messina (18 September 2017, n. 9/2017); the Ethics Committee ‘Catania 2’ (11 July 2017, n. 38/2017/CECT2); the Ethics Committee of the Region of Calabria (20 July 2017, n. 173). Findings will be disseminated in the scientific community and on a regional basis for appropriate policy actions.

Poor Interoperability of the Adams-Harbertson Method for Analysis of Anthocyanins: Comparison with AOAC pH Differential Method

2013 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry M Brooks ◽  
Benjamin J Kuhlman Kuhlman ◽  
Doug W McKesson ◽  
Leo McCloskey
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Collaborative Study ◽  
Maximum Error ◽  
Differential Method ◽  
Pinot Noir ◽  
Cabernet Sauvignon ◽  
Official Method ◽  
Standard Curve ◽  
Aoac Official

Abstract The poor interoperability of anthocyanin glycosides measurements by two pH differential methods is documented. Adams-Harbertson, which was proposed for commercial winemaking, was compared to AOAC Official MethodSM 2005.02 for wine. California bottled wines (Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon) were assayed in a collaborative study (n = 105), which found mean precision of Adams- Harbertson winery versus reference measurements to be 77 ± 20%. Maximum error is expected to be 48% for Pinot Noir, 42% for Merlot, and 34% for Cabernet Sauvignon from reproducibility RSD. Range of measurements was actually 30 to 91% for Pinot Noir. An interoperability study (n = 30) found Adams-Harbertson produces measurements that are nominally 150% of the AOAC pH differential method. Large analytical chemistry differences are: AOAC method uses Beer-Lambert equation and measures absorbance at pH 1.0 and 4.5, proposed a priori by Flueki and Francis; whereas Adams-Harbertson uses “universal” standard curve and measures absorbance ad hoc at pH 1.8 and 4.9 to reduce the effects of so-called co-pigmentation. Errors relative to AOAC are produced by Adams-Harbertson standard curve over Beer-Lambert and pH 1.8 over pH 1.0. The study recommends using AOAC Official Method 2005.02 for analysis of wine anthocyanin glycosides.

Patient satisfaction of telephone or video interpreter services compared with in-person services: a systematic review

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey Joseph ◽  
Marie Garruba ◽  
Angela Melder
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Consumer Satisfaction ◽  
English Language ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Interpreter Services ◽  
Interpreter Service ◽  
Google Search

Objective This review was conducted to identify and synthesise the evidence around the use of telephone and video interpreter services compared with in-person services in healthcare. Methods A systematic search of articles published in the English language was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Library, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), Joanna Briggs, Google Scholar and Google. Search terms included ‘interpreter’, ‘patient satisfaction’, ‘consumer satisfaction’ and ‘client satisfaction’. Any study that did not compare in-person interpreter services with either telephone or video interpreter services was excluded from analysis. Studies were screened for inclusion or exclusion by two reviewers, using criteria established a priori. Data were extracted via a custom form and synthesised. Results The database search yielded 196 studies, eight of which were included in the present review. The search using an Internet search engine did not identify any relevant studies. Of the studies included, five used telephone and three used video interpreter services. All studies, except one, compared levels of satisfaction regarding in-person interpretation and telephone or video interpretation. One study compared satisfaction of two versions of video interpretation. There is evidence of higher satisfaction with hospital-trained interpreters compared with ad hoc (friend or family) or telephone interpreters. There is no difference in satisfaction between in-person interpreting, telephone interpreting or interpretation provided by the treating bilingual physician. Video interpreting has the same satisfaction as in-person interpreting, regardless of whether the patient and the physician are in the same room. Higher levels of satisfaction were reported for trained telephone interpreters than for in-person interpreters or an external telephone interpreter service. Conclusions Current evidence does not suggest there is one particular mode of interpreting that is superior to all others. This review is limited in its translational capacity given that most studies were from the US and in a Spanish-speaking cohort. What is known about the topic? Access to interpreters has been shown to positively affect patients who are not proficient in speaking the local language of the health service. What does this paper add? This paper adds to the literature by providing a comprehensive summary of patient satisfaction when engaging several different types of language interpreting services used in healthcare. What are the implications for practitioners? This review provides clear information for health services on the use of language interpreter services and patient satisfaction. The current body of evidence does not indicate a superior interpreting method when patient satisfaction is concerned.

Application of an Environmental Remediation Methodology: Theory vs. Practice—Reflections and Two Belgian Case Studies

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Blommaert ◽  
K. Mannaerts ◽  
S. Pepin ◽  
B. Dehandschutter
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Environmental Remediation ◽  
Waste Treatment ◽  
Stakeholder Involvement ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Contaminated Sites ◽  
Contaminated Site ◽  
Chemical Contamination ◽  
First Case ◽  
The Impact

Like in many countries, polluted industrial sites also exist in Belgium. Although the contamination is purely chemical in most cases, they may also contain a radioactive component. For chemically contaminated sites, extensive regulations and methodologies were already developed and applied by the different regional authorities. However and essentially because radioactivity is a federal competence, there was also a necessity for developing a legal federal framework (including an ER-methodology [1]) for remediation of radioactive contaminated sites. Most of the so-called radioactive contaminated sites are exhibiting a mixed contamination (chemical and radiological), and hence the development of such methodology had to be in line with the existing (regional) ones concerning chemical contamination. Each authority having their own responsibilities with regard to the type of contamination, this makes it more complicated and time-consuming finding the best solution satisfying all involved parties. To overcome these difficulties the legal framework and methodology — including the necessary involvement of the stakeholders and delineation of each party’s responsibilities — has to be transparent, clear and unambiguous. Once the methodology is developed as such and approved, the application of it is expected to be more or less easy, logic and straightforward. But is this really true? The aim of this document is to investigate as well the impact of factors such as the type of radioactive contamination — levels of contamination, related to NORM activity or not, homogeneous or heterogeneous, the differences in licensing procedures,… — on the application of the developed methodology and what could be the consequences in the long run on the remediation process. Two existing case studies in Belgium will be presented ([2]). The first case deals with a historical radium contaminated site, the second one with a phosphate processing facility still in operation, both with (very) low levels of radioactivity but containing very large volumes of contaminated materials. These case studies will demonstrate that, although the applied methodology will be the same in both cases, the impact of e.g. sampling strategy, scenario definitions, modelisations, final destination of the land, presence of chemotoxic components, dose or risk assessments, uncertainties, derivation of clean-up radionuclide guidelines, stakeholder involvement and waste treatment could be important on licensing, cost-estimate, planning and final outcome of the environmental remediation activities to be executed.

Determinants of Environmental Clean-up in Estonia

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 679-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew R Auer ◽  
Anto Raukas
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Aid ◽  
Hot Spots ◽  
Environmental Remediation ◽  
Contaminated Sites ◽  
Environmental Cooperation ◽  
Current Form ◽  
The Government ◽  
High Level ◽  
Private Actors ◽  
External Actors

In the early 1990s, the government of Estonia determined that it possessed neither the technical nor the financial resources to clean up Estonia's Soviet-era pollution satisfactorily. Yet data reveal that, during the 1990s, Estonia was relatively adept at cleaning up old contamination. In this paper we identify the key determinants of Estonia's relatively high level of success at environmental remediation. Content analyses of clean-up experiences were performed for three main categories of contaminated sites: ex-military, industrial, and municipal. All analyzed sites were identified by the government of Estonia as priority environmental hot spots in the early 1990s. The most successfully remediated sites were recipients of foreign direct investment or foreign aid, or both, and particularly aid from international financial institutions (IFIs). IFIs and foreign private actors were persuaded to act because of their confidence in the income-generating potential of the projects. In light of this finding, revisions must be made to an oft-cited model of ‘institutions for international environmental cooperation’. In its current form, this model downplays external actors' market-oriented motives.

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