Use of GIS technology for epidemiological studies

During 2001 Italian National Research Council (CNR) performed an epidemiological survey with the aim to assess the respiratory health status of people living near a waste incinerator, in the south-east area of Pisa (Tuscany, Italy). By means of GIS tools the subjects were classified on the basis of the houses distance from the incinerator, but the health status resulted not certainly linked with the activity of incinerator; so the subjects were classified again on the basis of the houses distance from the streets. Buffers of 100 metres from the secondary roads and 75 and 150 metres from the main roads were considered. The statistical analyses suggest significant relations between living near main roads and the increase of respiratory symptoms and diseases.