Traffico veicolare e salute: un'indagine sanitaria con uso di tecnologia GIS

Road traffic is assumed to be a major risk factor for respiratory diseases. CNR performed a project to analyse the effects of traffic on a sample of students of Palermo (Italy). An epidemiological survey was conducted in several schools, also by means of a questionnaire. Information on health status, as well as life style and individual perception of exposure, were gathered. A simulation model to assess road traffic was developed and an estimated mean number of vehicles travelling on each road tract was obtained. Mapping of subjects and of schools was performed by GPS; acquired points were integrated in numeric cartography. Estimated road traffic values around subjects' residences and around schools were then used to compute each subject exposure, taking care of the percentage of time spent at home or at school. Finally, subjects were classified into four classes, depending on individual exposure, and statistical analysis was conducted on main respiratory symptoms and diseases. No statistically significant association was found between traffic exposure and respiratory symptoms or diseases.