Planning the study design to assess health impacts in areas with potentially polluting plants: drawbacks and specificities in the HIA21 project

Abstract

Background One of the aims of the EU-funded project “HIA21” is to focus the impacts deriving from the incinerator of waste located in the industrial area of San Zeno, Arezzo (Tuscany). The assessment of effects due to the plant is complicated by the contemporary presence in the area of other industrial plants potentially harmful to the environment and the health. Observational studies to define the health status of the general population and monitoring activities have been carried out in the area over past years. Critical issues such as gathering of data, agreement on methodological choices and limited time available, could be supported by the Health Impact Assessment approach. Aim The aim is to plan an epidemiological study to estimate the effect of the environmental exposure considering the project constrains and timelines. Methods Planning of the study has involved all the relevant parties and experts to discuss on: 1. Revision of epidemiological approaches available; 2. Collection of environmental and health reports in the study area; 3. Inventory of personal, environmental and health data 4. Definition of the most suitable study design. Results A workshop with stakeholders, experts and the project partners have been arranged to agree on the planned study design and on general considerations. The analytical model, the selection of tracer pollutants, the geographical boundaries, the extra workload for manual geo-referencing, the definition of the health outcomes, the stakeholders concern are specific issues under discussion. Conclusions Feedback to participants will be provided in a transparent way by the official project website. An inclusive procedure will be piloted for planning of the model of epidemiological analysis in the HIA21 context.