Wind days in Taranto (Southern Italy): a public health intervention between technical and social contradictions. Lessons learned

Abstract

Public health interventions in the context of environmental crisis are necessary and desirable for the protection of public health. This manuscript highlights the critical aspects and potentials of a public health intervention by reconstructing the most relevant stages of the case study called 'Precautionary measures during wind days in Taranto'. Under particular weather conditions, the 'wind days' intervention includes prescriptions to companies and recommendations to the public. The latter has been found to be scientifically inconsistent, as highlighted by studies published over the years. The case-study analysis showed that any public health measure must include: a timed evaluation of the measure effectiveness and consider the possibility of its revision; involvement of the population at all stages.