GIS technology for the analyses of the effects of traffic-related air pollution on the respiratory health of a general population sample in central Italy

Objective: traffic-related air pollution is considered to be a potential risk factor for respiratory health. To examine whether distance from main roads has an effect on the incidence of respiratory symptoms/diseases, an approach based on Geographical Information System (GIS) was applied to the epidemiological survey conducted in Pisa-Cascina area (Tuscany) in 1991-93 (2062 subjects, aged 8-97 years).