Priority needs in research

As far as the emission-to-health characterization is concerned, the recently suggested environmental public health continuum seems a very useful reference model (Albertini et al., 2006). The process source/stressor formationtransport/transformation-exposure-dose/early biological effect-altered structure/function-disease is adequate for application in waste treatment and in management settings. Different types of environmental and health hazard are present in each step of the waste cycle: production (domestic, industrial)-separate collection (different strategies)-recovering/recycling of primary raw materials (for example, glass, paper, metals, drugs, batteries, etc.)(recycling industry)-pre-selection (by hand or machine) and recovering (industry or disposal)-composting (agriculture)-disposal, plus transportation.