Initial Results from BIGEPI Project: Analyzing the Health and Mortality Effects of Short-Term Pollution Exposure Across Italy
The detrimental effects of pollution on health have been known for some time. The BIGEPI project, led by the Institute of Clinical Physiology of the CNR in collaboration with INAIL and various Italian agencies involved in epidemiology and environmental protection, is now providing a detailed analysis of the associations between the health of individuals living in different Italian regions—stratified by gender and age—the levels of various pollutants, the weather conditions they are exposed to, and the diseases they suffer from.
This project is somewhat pioneering as it correlates a broad range of health conditions and mortality with environmental and atmospheric factors, with a national detail of just 1 km.
BIGEPI used pollutant concentration maps, collected from the previous INAILBEEP project, and cross-referenced them with ISTAT data on causes of death. Preliminary scientific results show that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) increases the risk of short-term mortality from various conditions: natural causes, cardiovascular problems, heart issues, respiratory and neurological diseases.
In areas with one of the 61 environmentally significant industrial facilities identified in the country—such as production sites with chimneys—the risk of death and hospitalization for respiratory issues increases, particularly in municipalities adjacent to pollutant sources. Even those living in rural areas are not spared from dust pollution, facing similar risks as urban or peripheral area residents.
Exposure to nitrogen dioxide, a gas produced by high-temperature combustion from vehicles and industries, is associated with an increased risk of mortality from respiratory and metabolic problems. Researchers also found that mortality rates rise for those exposed to very low or very high temperatures, leading to an increase in deaths from natural causes or related to heart disease, vascular issues, respiratory conditions, mental health disorders, neurological problems, metabolic conditions, and even diabetes. These effects are more pronounced at higher temperatures, particularly for respiratory, neurological, and mental health issues. This is an unsettling perspective, considering that we will face increasingly variable and rising temperatures due to climate change.
In the upcoming year of study, further investigation will focus on the details of pollution at industrial sites, clarifying both the specific areas and types of territory affected by pollutant emissions and the zones with higher exposure risks.
For more information, you can read the project’s second newsletter or visit the website: https://bigepi.it.