A retrospective study on acute health effects due to volcanic ash exposure during the eruption of Mount Etna (Sicily) in 2002

Background: Mount Etna, located in the eastern part of Sicily (Italy), is the highest and most active volcano in Europe. During the sustained eruption that occurred in October-November 2002 huge amounts of volcanic ash fell on a densely populated area south-east of Mount Etna in Catania province. The volcanic ash fall caused extensive damage to infrastructure utilities and distress in the exposed population. This retrospective study evaluates whether or not there was an association between ash fall and acute health effects in exposed local communities. Methods: We collected the number and type of visits to the emergency department (ED) for diseases that could be related to volcanic ash exposure in public hospitals of the Province of Catania between October 20 and November 7, 2002. We compared the magnitude of differences in ED visits between the ash exposure period in 2002 and the same period of the previous year 2001. Results: We observed a significant increase of ED visits for acute respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and ocular disturbances during the ash exposure time period. Conclusions: There was a positive association between exposure to volcanic ash from the 2002 eruption of Mount Etna and acute health effects in the Catania residents. This study documents the need for public health preparedness and response initiatives to protect nearby populations from exposure to ash fall from future eruptions of Mount Etna.

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A retrospective study on acute health effects due to volcanic ash exposure during the eruption of Mount Etna (Sicily) in 2002

Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine ◽

10.1186/2049-6958-8-51 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 51 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Daniele Lombardo ◽

Nicola Ciancio ◽

Raffaele Campisi ◽

Annalisa Di Maria ◽

Laura Bivona ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

Health Effects ◽

Volcanic Ash ◽

Mount Etna

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Health Effects of Environmental Contamination due to Volcanic Ash from Mount Etna (Sicily, Italy) in Autumn 2002

Epidemiology ◽

10.1097/00001648-200611001-00400 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 17 (Suppl) ◽

pp. S159 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

V Fano ◽

A Cernigliaro ◽

S Scondotto ◽

M Cuccia ◽

F Forastiere ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Effects ◽

Environmental Contamination ◽

Volcanic Ash ◽

Mount Etna

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A Novel Vision-Based Approach for the Classification of Volcanic Ash Granulometry

Engineering Proceedings ◽

10.3390/i3s2021dresden-10088 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 28

Author(s):

Bruno Andò ◽

Salvatore Baglio ◽

Vincenzo Marletta ◽

Salvatore Castorina

Keyword(s):

Volcanic Ash ◽

Road Traffic ◽

Low Cost ◽

Roc Curves ◽

Mount Etna ◽

Image Processing Algorithm ◽

Ash Fall ◽

Time Space ◽

Optimal Thresholds

Volcanic ash fall-out represents a serious hazard for air and road traffic. The forecasting models used to predict its time–space evolution require information about characteristic parameters such as the ash granulometry. Typically, such information is gained by spot direct observation of the ash at the ground or by using expensive instrumentation. A distributed Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) of low-cost monitoring stations would represent a suitable solution in performing continuous and high spatial resolution monitoring. In this paper, a novel low-cost vision-based methodology, together with a dedicated image processing algorithm aimed at the estimation and classification of the ash granulometry, is presented. The first prototype developed to investigate the methodology consists of a light-controlled tank and a camera. The acquired images of the ash samples are transmitted to a PC and processed by a dedicated paradigm developed in LabVIEW™. A threshold algorithm was developed to provide a classification of the detected ash. Optimal thresholds were estimated by using the theory of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The methodology was validated experimentally using real ash erupted from Mount Etna, with three different nominal granulometries: ɸ1 = 0.5 mm, ɸ2 = 1 mm, and ɸ3 = 2 mm. The preliminary results demonstrated the viability of the proposed approach, showing average accuracies in the estimation of the granulometry of 50 µm, suitable for the implementation of a low-cost distributed early warning solution. The main novelties of this work reside in both the low-cost vision-based methodology and the proposed classification algorithm.

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A STUDY ON IMPACTS TO INTERREGIONAL COMMODITY FLOW AND FREIGHT TRANSPORT BY VOLCANIC ASH FALL

Journal of Japan Society of Civil Engineers Ser D3 (Infrastructure Planning and Management) ◽

10.2208/jscejipm.74.i_109 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 74 (5) ◽

pp. I_109-I_115

Author(s):

Tomoki ISHIKURA ◽

Azusa OYAMA

Keyword(s):

Volcanic Ash ◽

Freight Transport ◽

Commodity Flow ◽

Ash Fall

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Metabolic syndrome and endocrine disrupting chemicals: exposure and health effects

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.086 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

E Haverinen ◽

R Lange ◽

H Tolonen

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Bisphenol A ◽

Health Effects ◽

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽

Positive Association ◽

Human Biomonitoring ◽

European Population ◽

Priority Substances ◽

Metabolic Disturbances ◽

Endocrine Disrupting

Abstract Increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is causing significant health burden among the European population. Current knowledge supports the notion that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with human metabolism and hormonal balance, contributing to the conventionally recognized life-style related risk factors for MetS. In relation to the Human biomonitoring initiative (HBM4EU) five priority substances (Bisphenol A, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), Phthalates, Cadmium and Arsenic) and their association with adverse metabolic health effects were examined. A methodological framework for scoping reviews was followed to increase consistency and transparency throughout the process. A literature review was conducted to identify epidemiological studies focusing on the association between MetS or its individual components and the five HBM4EU priority substances. Human biomonitoring studies have been able to present evidence supporting EDC exposure and development of individual MetS components; however the strength of the association varies between the components and EDCs. Most of the identified literature examined Bisphenol A and Phthalate exposure, usually targeting obesity, anthropometrics or glucose metabolism. Evidence suggests a positive association between Bisphenol A and Phthalate exposure and obesity-related components. The substance group of PFASs indicated weakest association, as the results were inconsistent and were suggestive only for a positive association with development of dyslipidaemia. Current evidence on metabolic disturbances and EDCs are inconclusive and fragmented, hence establishing harmonized and standardized human biomonitoring procedures among the European population are needed. Rigorous and ongoing human biomonitoring in combination with health monitoring could provide comprehensive information on EDC exposure and association of metabolic disturbances. Key messages EDC exposure is ubiquitous within European population, hence more human biomonitoring in combination with health surveys is needed to strengthen knowledge on human’s metabolic health. MetS is an increasing global health concern, which requires novel approaches to tackle the challenge.

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Heat Waves and Emergency Department Visits Among the Homeless, San Diego, 2012–2019

American Journal of Public Health ◽

10.2105/ajph.2021.306557 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 112 (1) ◽

pp. 98-106

Author(s):

Lara Schwarz ◽

Edward M. Castillo ◽

Theodore C. Chan ◽

Jesse J. Brennan ◽

Emily S. Sbiroli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

San Diego ◽

Heat Waves ◽

Positive Association ◽

Emergency Department Visits ◽

Psychiatric Consultation ◽

Vulnerability Factors ◽

Exact Matching ◽

Data Set ◽

Ed Visits

Objectives. To determine the effect of heat waves on emergency department (ED) visits for individuals experiencing homelessness and explore vulnerability factors. Methods. We used a unique highly detailed data set on sociodemographics of ED visits in San Diego, California, 2012 to 2019. We applied a time-stratified case–crossover design to study the association between various heat wave definitions and ED visits. We compared associations with a similar population not experiencing homelessness using coarsened exact matching. Results. Of the 24 688 individuals identified as experiencing homelessness who visited an ED, most were younger than 65 years (94%) and of non-Hispanic ethnicity (84%), and 14% indicated the need for a psychiatric consultation. Results indicated a positive association, with the strongest risk of ED visits during daytime (e.g., 99th percentile, 2 days) heat waves (odds ratio = 1.29; 95% confidence interval = 1.02, 1.64). Patients experiencing homelessness who were younger or elderly and who required a psychiatric consultation were particularly vulnerable to heat waves. Odds of ED visits were higher for individuals experiencing homelessness after matching to nonhomeless individuals based on age, gender, and race/ethnicity. Conclusions. It is important to prioritize individuals experiencing homelessness in heat action plans and consider vulnerability factors to reduce their burden. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(1):98–106. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306557 )

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Estimating building vulnerability to volcanic ash fall for insurance and other purposes

Journal of Applied Volcanology ◽

10.1186/s13617-017-0054-9 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

R. J. Blong ◽

P. Grasso ◽

S. F. Jenkins ◽

C. R. Magill ◽

T. M. Wilson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Volcanic Ash ◽

Building Vulnerability ◽

Ash Fall

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A preliminary volcanic ash fall susceptibility map of Canada

10.4095/296973 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

M C Kelman

Keyword(s):

Volcanic Ash ◽

Susceptibility Map ◽

Ash Fall

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Factors associated to the type of childbirth in public and private hospitals in Brazil

Revista Brasileira de Saúde Materno Infantil ◽

10.1590/1806-93042017000300009 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 571-580 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Raphael Mendonça Guimarães ◽

Rafael Leiróz Pereira Duarte Silva ◽

Viviane Gomes Parreira Dutra ◽

Pedro Gomes Andrade ◽

Ana Camila Ribeiro Pereira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

National Health System ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Positive Association ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Cesarean Sections ◽

Public And Private ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Public And Private Hospitals ◽

Pregnancy And Birth

Abstract Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of cesarean sections and factors associated to the type of childbirth in Brazil. Methods: data on childbirths were collected in Brazil in 2014. Demographic characteristics, related to pregnancy and birth hospital regime (public or private) were evaluation. For each hypothesis raised, the variables were modeled by the binary logistic regression, which the outcome was considered in the type of childbirth. Results: the prevalence of the cesarean sections in Brazil in 2014 was 52.8%; that is 38.1% at public hospitals and 92.8% at private ones. The association between cesarean section and the legal regime at the hospital was highlighted in the logistic model which presented a positive association and interaction between age groups (OR = 23.26; 95% CI= 13.39 - 41.79 for women between 20 and 24 years old and OR = 51.04; 95% CI 31.06 - 84.23 for women aged 35 and over). Conclusions: the performance of childbirth in Brazil meets the routines and recommendations regarding women's health and humanized childbirth established by the Brazilian National Health System policies.

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