Metodologia nell'epidemiologia occupazionale ed ambientale

The close links between environment and health have long been known. The methodological bases for this study were especially developed in the occupational settings, and notably so in the study of occupational carcinogens. Many pollutants recently spread from the confined work places to the general environment (e.g., lead, benzene, PAHs, asbestos, noise) either as effluents of industrial sites or as exhausts of diverse environmental combustion sources (e.g., traffic, heating). The methodologies developed in the occupational settings proved extremely useful in addressing these new environmental problems. Main experiences in Italy include the study of a large residential population exposed to dioxin; the study of benzene and PHA's exposure in the city environment; the effect of point industrial pollution sources on the surrounding territory; the short and long term effect on respiratory and cardiovascular health outcomes and functions after exposure to PM10 and 2.5 in large cities.