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F. Minichilli
Unit of Environmental Epidemiology and Disease Registries, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56123 Pisa, Italy

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Journal article
Published: 20 July 2020 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Chronic arsenic (As) exposure is a critical public health issue. The As metabolism can be influenced by many factors. The objective of this study is to verify if these factors influence As metabolism in four Italian areas affected by As pollution. Descriptive analyses were conducted on 271 subjects aged 20–49 in order to assess the effect of each factor considered on As methylation. Percentages of metabolites of As in urine, primary and secondary methylation indexes were calculated as indicators for metabolic capacity. The results indicate that women have a better methylation capacity (MC) than men, and drinking As-contaminated water from public aqueducts is associated with poorer MC, especially in areas with natural As pollution. In areas with anthropogenic As pollution occupational exposure is associated with a higher MC while smoking with a poorer MC. Dietary habits and genetic characteristics are probably implicated in As metabolism. BMI, alcohol consumption and polymorphism of the AS3MT gene seem not to influence As MC. Arsenic metabolism may be affected by various factors and in order to achieve a comprehensive risk assessment of As-associated disease, it is crucial to understand how these factors contribute to differences in As metabolism.

ACS Style

Elisa Bustaffa; Francesca Gorini; Fabrizio Bianchi; Fabrizio Minichilli. Factors Affecting Arsenic Methylation in Contaminated Italian Areas. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 5226 .

AMA Style

Elisa Bustaffa, Francesca Gorini, Fabrizio Bianchi, Fabrizio Minichilli. Factors Affecting Arsenic Methylation in Contaminated Italian Areas. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (14):5226.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elisa Bustaffa; Francesca Gorini; Fabrizio Bianchi; Fabrizio Minichilli. 2020. "Factors Affecting Arsenic Methylation in Contaminated Italian Areas." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 14: 5226.

Review
Published: 10 December 2019 in Science of The Total Environment
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Since the 1990s, in areas with natural geothermal manifestations studies on the association between exposure to pollutants and health effect have become increasingly relevant. These emissions consist of water vapor mixed with carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methane and, to a lesser extent, rare gases and trace elements in volatile forms. Considering the indications of the World Health Organization and the growth in the use of geothermal energy for energy production, this review aims to report studies exploring the health status of the populations living in areas where geothermal energy is used to produce heat and electricity. Studies on the health effects of the general population exposed to emissions from both natural geothermal events and plants using geothermal energy at domestic or commercial level have been considered between 1999 and 2019. Studies were classified into those based on health indicators and those based on proxy-individual level exposure metrics. Both statistically significant results (p<0.05) and interesting signals were commented. The 19 studies selected (New Zealand, Iceland and Italy) provide heterogeneous results, with an increased risk for several tumor sites. Exposure to H2S low concentrations is positively associated with an increment of respiratory symptoms, anti-asthma drugs use, mortality for respiratory diseases and lung cancer. Exposure to H2S high levels is inversely related to cancer mortality but associated with an increase in hospitalization for respiratory diseases, central nervous system disorders and cardiovascular diseases. The results indicate that the health of populations residing in areas rich in geothermal emissions presents some critical elements to be explored. The two major limitations of the studies are the ecological design and the inadequate exposure assessment. The authors suggested the prosecution and the systematization of health surveillance and human biomonitoring activities associated with permanent control of atmospheric emissions from both industrial and natural plants.

ACS Style

Elisa Bustaffa; Liliana Cori; Adele Manzella; Daniela Nuvolone; Fabrizio Minichilli; Fabrizio Bianchi; Francesca Gorini. The health of communities living in proximity of geothermal plants generating heat and electricity: A review. Science of The Total Environment 2019, 706, 135998 .

AMA Style

Elisa Bustaffa, Liliana Cori, Adele Manzella, Daniela Nuvolone, Fabrizio Minichilli, Fabrizio Bianchi, Francesca Gorini. The health of communities living in proximity of geothermal plants generating heat and electricity: A review. Science of The Total Environment. 2019; 706 ():135998.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elisa Bustaffa; Liliana Cori; Adele Manzella; Daniela Nuvolone; Fabrizio Minichilli; Fabrizio Bianchi; Francesca Gorini. 2019. "The health of communities living in proximity of geothermal plants generating heat and electricity: A review." Science of The Total Environment 706, no. : 135998.

Journal article
Published: 10 August 2019 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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In the present research, we evaluated the health effects of exposure to the municipal waste incinerator (MWI) in Pisa, Italy, through a population-based cohort design. The individual exposure pattern in the area was estimated through CALPUFF dispersion models of NOχ (developed by Atmospheric Studies Group Earth Tech, Lowell, Massachusetts), used as pollution proxies of the MWI and the relevant industrial plant, and through land-use regression for NOχ due to traffic pollution. Using Cox regression analysis, hazard ratios (HR) were estimated adjusting for exposure to other sources of pollution, age, and socioeconomic deprivation. An adjusted linear trend of HR (HRt) over the categories of exposure, with the relative 95% CI and p-value, was also calculated. Mortality and hospital discharge were studied as impact outcomes. Mortality analysis on males showed increased trends of mortality due to natural causes (HRt p < 0.05), the tumor of the lymphohematopoietic system (HRt p = 0.01), cardiovascular diseases (HRt p < 0.01); in females, increased trends for acute respiratory diseases (HRt p = 0.04). Morbidity analysis showed a HRt for lymphohematopoietic system tumor in males (HRt p = 0.04). Some of the excesses are in agreement with previous evidence on the health effects of MWIs, although the observation in males but not in females, suggests a cautious interpretation. Confounding due to other sources of exposure cannot be ruled out. The evidence was considered important in the decision-making process of the waste cycle.

ACS Style

Anna Maria Romanelli; Fabrizio Bianchi; Olivia Curzio; Fabrizio Minichilli. Mortality and Morbidity in a Population Exposed to Emission from a Municipal Waste Incinerator. A Retrospective Cohort Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2019, 16, 2863 .

AMA Style

Anna Maria Romanelli, Fabrizio Bianchi, Olivia Curzio, Fabrizio Minichilli. Mortality and Morbidity in a Population Exposed to Emission from a Municipal Waste Incinerator. A Retrospective Cohort Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16 (16):2863.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Maria Romanelli; Fabrizio Bianchi; Olivia Curzio; Fabrizio Minichilli. 2019. "Mortality and Morbidity in a Population Exposed to Emission from a Municipal Waste Incinerator. A Retrospective Cohort Study." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 16: 2863.

Journal article
Published: 03 August 2019 in Science of The Total Environment
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Coal-fired thermal power plants represent a significant source of air pollutants, especially sulfur dioxide (SO2) that has been associated with an increased risk of mortality and morbidity for respiratory and cardiovascular disease. A coal power plant in Vado Ligure (Italy) (CPPVL) started in 1970 was stopped in 2014 by the Prosecutor's Office on the grounds of environmental and health culpable disaster. To investigate the association between the exposure of residents to atmospheric pollutants emitted by CPPVL and the risk of mortality and hospitalization, considering both cancer and non-cancer causes in a population-based cohort study. SO2 and nitrogen oxides (NOx), estimated using the ABLE-MOLOCH-ADMS-Urban dispersion model, were selected as representative surrogates of exposure to CPPVL emissions (SO2-CPPVL) and cumulative emissions from other sources of pollution (NOx-MS), respectively. The relationship between each health outcome and categories of exposure to SO2-CPPVL was estimated by the Hazard Ratio (HR) using multiple sex-specific Cox regression models, adjusted for age, exposure to NOx-MS, and socio-economic deprivation index using SO2-CPPVL first quartile as a reference. 144,019 individuals were recruited (follow-up 2001–2013). An excess of mortality was found for all natural causes (men: 1.49; 95% CI 1.38–1.60; women: 1.49; 95% CI 1.39–1.59), diseases of the circulatory system (men: 1.41; 95% CI 1.24–1.56; women: 1.59; 95% CI 1.44–1.77), of the respiratory system (men: 1.90; 95% CI 1.47–2.45; women: 1.62; 95% CI 1.25–2.09), and of the nervous system and sense organs (men: 1.34; 95% CI 0.97–1.86; women: 1.38; 95% CI 1.03–1.83), and in men for trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers (1.59; 95% CI 1.26–2.00). Results of hospitalization analysis were consistent with those of mortality. Results obtained, also when considering multiple sources of exposure, indicate that exposure to CPP emissions represents a risk factor for selected health outcomes as well as the urgently adoption of primary prevention measures and of a specific surveillance programme.

ACS Style

Fabrizio Minichilli; Francesca Gorini; Elisa Bustaffa; Liliana Cori; Fabrizio Bianchi. Mortality and hospitalization associated to emissions of a coal power plant: A population-based cohort study. Science of The Total Environment 2019, 694, 133757 .

AMA Style

Fabrizio Minichilli, Francesca Gorini, Elisa Bustaffa, Liliana Cori, Fabrizio Bianchi. Mortality and hospitalization associated to emissions of a coal power plant: A population-based cohort study. Science of The Total Environment. 2019; 694 ():133757.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fabrizio Minichilli; Francesca Gorini; Elisa Bustaffa; Liliana Cori; Fabrizio Bianchi. 2019. "Mortality and hospitalization associated to emissions of a coal power plant: A population-based cohort study." Science of The Total Environment 694, no. : 133757.

Journal article
Published: 25 November 2018 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Exposure to air pollution has been shown to increase the risk of developing chronic respiratory diseases. The largest crude oil first treatment plant in Italy emits harmful polluting substances. This cross-sectional study assesses the occurrence of respiratory symptoms in a sample of the adult population living near the plant. A proximal and a reference area were defined in order to recruit 200 subjects. Each subject performed a spirometry test and completed a questionnaire. Associations between the distance from the plant and selected respiratory outcomes were assessed (distance-based approach). The prevalence of outcomes between a proximal and a reference area (area-based approach) were also compared. Odds ratios were adjusted for potential confounders. Living near the plant was associated with a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms, with significant associations for severe dyspnoea equivalent to the halving of risk as the distance of residence from the plant increased by 1 km (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.48, confidence interval at the 95% probability level (95% CI): 0.25–0.92). Several signals emerged for respiratory allergic symptoms. The area-based approach generally confirmed the results obtained with the distance-based approach. This is the first study to be carried out on a crude oil first treatment plant aimed at assessing the association with the occurrence of respiratory symptoms. These findings contribute to the evidence supporting the need for a space–time surveillance system in the investigated area.

ACS Style

Elisa Bustaffa; Alessio Coi; Fabrizio Minichilli; Michele Santoro; Renato Prediletto; Simonetta Monti; Ivana Pavlickova; Fabrizio Bianchi. Respiratory Symptoms in Relation to Living near a Crude Oil First Treatment Plant in Italy: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2018, 15, 2636 .

AMA Style

Elisa Bustaffa, Alessio Coi, Fabrizio Minichilli, Michele Santoro, Renato Prediletto, Simonetta Monti, Ivana Pavlickova, Fabrizio Bianchi. Respiratory Symptoms in Relation to Living near a Crude Oil First Treatment Plant in Italy: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15 (12):2636.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elisa Bustaffa; Alessio Coi; Fabrizio Minichilli; Michele Santoro; Renato Prediletto; Simonetta Monti; Ivana Pavlickova; Fabrizio Bianchi. 2018. "Respiratory Symptoms in Relation to Living near a Crude Oil First Treatment Plant in Italy: A Cross-Sectional Study." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 12: 2636.

Review
Published: 02 August 2018 in Epidemiol Prev
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Congenital anomalies (CAs) represent one of the main cause of foetal death, infant mortality and morbidity, and long-term disability. CAs have been object of systematic registration activity for a long-time in many geographical areas in Europe and worldwide. CAs are often associated with disabilities of different types and severity, including the developed Countries worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each year approximately 3,2 million of children worldwide are born with a CA and approximately 300,000 newborns with a diagnosis of birth defect die within the first 28 days of life. In Europe, CAs are the leading cause of perinatal mortality: the European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies (EUROC AT) network estimated a perinatal mortality associated with CAs of 9.2 per 10,000 births in 2008-2012. In Italy, the Ministry of Health estimates that, on the average of 500,000 births each year, about 25,000 present at least one CA. Moreover, approximately 25% of infant mortality is due to CAs and about 50% of infant mortality is attributable to perinatal morbidity, almost always of prenatal origin. Regarding long-term survival, a recent population study conducted between 1985 and 2003 in the UK estimated a 20.5-year survival of 85.5% of children born with at least one CA. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 3.3% of live births in the United States have a severe birth defect. Since CAs represent a significant public health issue, an effective primary prevention strategy should be a priority for public policies and healthcare system. Regarding aetiology, although in many cases the cause is still unknown, it has been hypothesized that CAs may be developed during the first trimester of pregnancy as a result of hereditary polygenic defects or of a gene-environment interaction. The aetiology is predominantly multifactorial, caused by complex interactions between genes and environment, which modify the normal embryo-foetal development, especially during the organogenesis phase. In particular, environmental factors (e.g., chemical toxicants, infection agents, maternal disease, and exogenous factors) can have preconceptional mutagenic action, postconceptional teratogenic effects, periconceptional endocrine disruption or epigenetic action. Regarding genetic causes, there are genetic chromosomal aberrations or dysgeneses. Furthermore, socioeconomic factors affect reproductive health by differentiating the exposure to the other risk factors as well as the access to prevention measures. In recent years, the importance of the environment as a major factor of reproductive risk has been highlighted. An individual may be exposed to pollutants present in the workplace and the population may be exposed to multiple sources of environmental contamination of water, soil, and air matrices. Pregnant women and the developing foetus are particularly sensitive to the effects of environmental exposure. The aim of...

ACS Style

Silvia Baldacci; Francesca Gorini; Michele Santoro; Anna Pierini; Fabrizio Minichilli; Fabrizio Bianchi. Environmental and individual exposure and the risk of congenital anomalies: a review of recent epidemiological evidence. Epidemiol Prev 2018, 42, 1 -34.

AMA Style

Silvia Baldacci, Francesca Gorini, Michele Santoro, Anna Pierini, Fabrizio Minichilli, Fabrizio Bianchi. Environmental and individual exposure and the risk of congenital anomalies: a review of recent epidemiological evidence. Epidemiol Prev. 2018; 42 ():1-34.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Silvia Baldacci; Francesca Gorini; Michele Santoro; Anna Pierini; Fabrizio Minichilli; Fabrizio Bianchi. 2018. "Environmental and individual exposure and the risk of congenital anomalies: a review of recent epidemiological evidence." Epidemiol Prev 42, no. : 1-34.

Journal article
Published: 09 February 2018 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Arsenic is ubiquitous and has a potentially adverse impact on human health. We compared the distribution of concentrations of urinary inorganic arsenic plus methylated forms (uc(iAs+MMA+DMA)) in four Italian areas with other international studies, and we assessed the relationship between uc(iAs+MMA+DMA) and various exposure factors. We conducted a human biomonitoring study on 271 subjects (132 men) aged 20–44, randomly sampled and stratified by area, gender, and age. Data on environmental and occupational exposure and dietary habits were collected through a questionnaire. Arsenic was speciated using chromatographic separation and inductively coupled mass spectrometry. Associations between uc(iAs+MMA+DMA) and exposure factors were evaluated using the geometric mean ratio (GMR) with a 90% confidence interval by stepwise multiple regression analysis. The 95th percentile value of uc(iAs+MMA+DMA) for the whole sample (86.28 µg/L) was higher than other national studies worldwide. A statistical significant correlation was found between uc(iAs+MMA+DMA) and occupational exposure (GMR: 2.68 [1.79–4.00]), GSTT gene (GMR: 0.68 [0.52–0.80]), consumption of tap water (GMR: 1.35 [1.02–1.77]), seafood (GMR: 1.44 [1.11–1.88]), whole milk (GMR: 1.34 [1.04–1.73]), and fruit/vegetables (GMR: 1.37 [1.03–1.82]). This study demonstrated the utility of uc(iAs+MMA+DMA) as a biomarker to assess environmental exposure. In a public health context, this information could be used to support remedial action, to prevent individuals from being further exposed to environmental arsenic sources.

ACS Style

Fabrizio Minichilli; Fabrizio Bianchi; Anna Maria Ronchi; Francesca Gorini; Elisa Bustaffa. Urinary Arsenic in Human Samples from Areas Characterized by Natural or Anthropogenic Pollution in Italy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2018, 15, 299 .

AMA Style

Fabrizio Minichilli, Fabrizio Bianchi, Anna Maria Ronchi, Francesca Gorini, Elisa Bustaffa. Urinary Arsenic in Human Samples from Areas Characterized by Natural or Anthropogenic Pollution in Italy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15 (2):299.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fabrizio Minichilli; Fabrizio Bianchi; Anna Maria Ronchi; Francesca Gorini; Elisa Bustaffa. 2018. "Urinary Arsenic in Human Samples from Areas Characterized by Natural or Anthropogenic Pollution in Italy." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 2: 299.

Journal article
Published: 26 January 2018 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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The effects of noise on students’ health, well-being, and learning are of growing concern among both the general public and policy-makers in Europe. Several studies have highlighted the consequences of noise on children’s learning and performance at school. This study investigates the relationship between noise judgment in school goers aged 11–18 and noise measurements aimed at evaluating their exposure at school. For this purpose, a questionnaire was administered to 521 individuals in 28 classrooms in eight schools of four cities in Italy, with different environmental characteristics. Using a Likert-type scale, a selected set of responses related to noise generated an Annoyance Index (AI) score for each student and a classroom median score (MAI). From the noise data acquired, a global noise score (GNS) was assigned to each classroom. A higher AI was found in industrialized areas and among younger students. No significant differences in noise judgment were found by gender. A significant inverse correlation was described between MAI and GNS, thus the better the acoustic quality of the classrooms, the less the perceived noise and annoyance. The results show that noise perception and consequent disturbance are highly correlated with classroom acoustics, and confirm that annoyance represents the most widespread subjective response to noise.

ACS Style

Fabrizio Minichilli; Francesca Gorini; Elena Ascari; Fabrizio Bianchi; Alessio Coi; Luca Fredianelli; Gaetano Licitra; Federica Manzoli; Lorena Mezzasalma; Liliana Cori. Annoyance Judgment and Measurements of Environmental Noise: A Focus on Italian Secondary Schools. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2018, 15, 208 .

AMA Style

Fabrizio Minichilli, Francesca Gorini, Elena Ascari, Fabrizio Bianchi, Alessio Coi, Luca Fredianelli, Gaetano Licitra, Federica Manzoli, Lorena Mezzasalma, Liliana Cori. Annoyance Judgment and Measurements of Environmental Noise: A Focus on Italian Secondary Schools. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15 (2):208.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fabrizio Minichilli; Francesca Gorini; Elena Ascari; Fabrizio Bianchi; Alessio Coi; Luca Fredianelli; Gaetano Licitra; Federica Manzoli; Lorena Mezzasalma; Liliana Cori. 2018. "Annoyance Judgment and Measurements of Environmental Noise: A Focus on Italian Secondary Schools." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 2: 208.

Review
Published: 11 October 2017 in Environmental Health
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Waste is part of the agenda of the European Environment and Health Process and included among the topics of the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health. Disposal and management of hazardous waste are worldwide challenges. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the evidence of the health impact of hazardous waste exposure, applying transparent and a priori defined methods. The following five steps, based on pre-defined systematic criteria, were applied. 1. Specify the research question, in terms of “Population-Exposure-Comparators-Outcomes” (PECO). Population: people living near hazardous waste sites; Exposure: exposure to hazardous waste; Comparators: all comparators; Outcomes: all diseases/health disorders. 2. Carry out the literature search, in Medline and EMBASE. 3. Select studies for inclusion: original epidemiological studies, published between 1999 and 2015, on populations residentially exposed to hazardous waste. 4. Assess the quality of selected studies, taking into account study design, exposure and outcome assessment, confounding control. 5. Rate the confidence in the body of evidence for each outcome taking into account the reliability of each study, the strength of the association and concordance of results. Fifty-seven papers of epidemiological investigations on the health status of populations living near hazardous waste sites were selected for the evidence evaluation. The association between 95 health outcomes (diseases and disorders) and residential exposure to hazardous waste sites was evaluated. Health effects of residential hazardous waste exposure, previously partially unrecognized, were highlighted. Sufficient evidence was found of association between exposure to oil industry waste that releases high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide and acute symptoms. The evidence of causal relationship with hazardous waste was defined as limited for: liver, bladder, breast and testis cancers, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, asthma, congenital anomalies overall and anomalies of the neural tube, urogenital, connective and musculoskeletal systems, low birth weight and pre-term birth; evidence was defined as inadequate for the other health outcomes. The results, although not conclusive, provide indications that more effective public health policies on hazardous waste management are urgently needed. International, national and local authorities should oppose and eliminate poor, outdated and illegal practices of waste disposal, including illegal transboundary trade, and increase support regulation and its enforcement.

ACS Style

L. Fazzo; F. Minichilli; M. Santoro; A. Ceccarini; M. Della Seta; F. Bianchi; P. Comba; M. Martuzzi. Hazardous waste and health impact: a systematic review of the scientific literature. Environmental Health 2017, 16, 1 -11.

AMA Style

L. Fazzo, F. Minichilli, M. Santoro, A. Ceccarini, M. Della Seta, F. Bianchi, P. Comba, M. Martuzzi. Hazardous waste and health impact: a systematic review of the scientific literature. Environmental Health. 2017; 16 (1):1-11.

Chicago/Turabian Style

L. Fazzo; F. Minichilli; M. Santoro; A. Ceccarini; M. Della Seta; F. Bianchi; P. Comba; M. Martuzzi. 2017. "Hazardous waste and health impact: a systematic review of the scientific literature." Environmental Health 16, no. 1: 1-11.

Evaluation study
Published: 21 September 2017 in Epidemiol Prev
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ACS Style

Fabrizio Minichilli; Michele Santoro; Fabrizio Bianchi; Nicola Caranci; Marco De Santis; Roberto Pasetto. [Evaluation of the use of the socioeconomic deprivation index at area level in ecological studies on environment and health]. Epidemiol Prev 2017, 41, 187 -196.

AMA Style

Fabrizio Minichilli, Michele Santoro, Fabrizio Bianchi, Nicola Caranci, Marco De Santis, Roberto Pasetto. [Evaluation of the use of the socioeconomic deprivation index at area level in ecological studies on environment and health]. Epidemiol Prev. 2017; 41 ():187-196.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fabrizio Minichilli; Michele Santoro; Fabrizio Bianchi; Nicola Caranci; Marco De Santis; Roberto Pasetto. 2017. "[Evaluation of the use of the socioeconomic deprivation index at area level in ecological studies on environment and health]." Epidemiol Prev 41, no. : 187-196.

Journal article
Published: 16 June 2017 in Annali dell'Istituto Superiore di Sanità
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ACS Style

Elisa Bustaffa; Fabrizio Minichilli; Daniela Nuvolone; Fabio Voller; Francesco Cipriani; Fabrizio Bianchi. Mortality of populations residing in geothermal areas of Tuscany during the period 2003-2012. Annali dell'Istituto Superiore di Sanità 2017, 53, 108 -117.

AMA Style

Elisa Bustaffa, Fabrizio Minichilli, Daniela Nuvolone, Fabio Voller, Francesco Cipriani, Fabrizio Bianchi. Mortality of populations residing in geothermal areas of Tuscany during the period 2003-2012. Annali dell'Istituto Superiore di Sanità. 2017; 53 (2):108-117.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elisa Bustaffa; Fabrizio Minichilli; Daniela Nuvolone; Fabio Voller; Francesco Cipriani; Fabrizio Bianchi. 2017. "Mortality of populations residing in geothermal areas of Tuscany during the period 2003-2012." Annali dell'Istituto Superiore di Sanità 53, no. 2: 108-117.

Journal article
Published: 10 March 2017 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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The health impact on populations residing in industrially contaminated sites (CSs) is recognized as a public health concern especially in relation to more vulnerable population subgroups. The aim of this study was to estimate the risk of congenital anomalies (CAs) in Italian CSs. Thirteen CSs covered by regional CA registries were investigated in an ecological study. The observed/expected ratios (O/E) with 90% confidence intervals (CI) for the total and specific subgroups of CAs were calculated using the regional areas as references. For the CSs with waste landfills, petrochemicals, and refineries, pooled estimates were calculated. The total number of observed cases of CAs was 7085 out of 288,184 births (prevalence 245.8 per 10,000). For some CSs, excesses for several CA subgroups were observed, in particular for genital and heart defects. The excess of genital CAs observed in Gela (O/E 2.36; 90% CI 1.73–3.15) is consistent with findings from other studies. For CSs including petrochemical and landfills, the pooled risk estimates were 1.10 (90% CI 1.01–1.19) and 1.07 (90% CI 1.02–1.13), respectively. The results are useful in identifying priority areas for analytical investigations and in supporting the promotion of policies for the primary prevention of CAs. The use of short-latency effect indicators is recommended for the health surveillance of the populations residing in CSs.

ACS Style

Michele Santoro; Fabrizio Minichilli; Anna Pierini; Gianni Astolfi; Lucia Bisceglia; Pietro Carbone; Susanna Conti; Gabriella Dardanoni; Ivano Iavarone; Paolo Ricci; Gioacchino Scarano; Fabrizio Bianchi; RiscRipro_Sentieri Group. Congenital Anomalies in Contaminated Sites: A Multisite Study in Italy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2017, 14, 292 .

AMA Style

Michele Santoro, Fabrizio Minichilli, Anna Pierini, Gianni Astolfi, Lucia Bisceglia, Pietro Carbone, Susanna Conti, Gabriella Dardanoni, Ivano Iavarone, Paolo Ricci, Gioacchino Scarano, Fabrizio Bianchi, RiscRipro_Sentieri Group. Congenital Anomalies in Contaminated Sites: A Multisite Study in Italy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2017; 14 (3):292.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Michele Santoro; Fabrizio Minichilli; Anna Pierini; Gianni Astolfi; Lucia Bisceglia; Pietro Carbone; Susanna Conti; Gabriella Dardanoni; Ivano Iavarone; Paolo Ricci; Gioacchino Scarano; Fabrizio Bianchi; RiscRipro_Sentieri Group. 2017. "Congenital Anomalies in Contaminated Sites: A Multisite Study in Italy." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 14, no. 3: 292.

Journal article
Published: 31 January 2017 in Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience
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These results give rise to speculation concerning the need for a putative approach for promoting both learning how to read and/or improving existing reading skills of children with or at risk of DD. The working hypothesis would be to combine two integrated interventions in a single programme aimed at fostering the function of both the magnocellular and the parvocellular streams.

ACS Style

Luca Bonfiglio; Tommaso Bocci; Fabrizio Minichilli; Alessandra Crecchi; Davide Barloscio; Donata Maria Spina; Bruno Rossi; Ferdinando Sartucci. Defective chromatic and achromatic visual pathways in developmental dyslexia: Cues for an integrated intervention programme. Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience 2017, 35, 11 -24.

AMA Style

Luca Bonfiglio, Tommaso Bocci, Fabrizio Minichilli, Alessandra Crecchi, Davide Barloscio, Donata Maria Spina, Bruno Rossi, Ferdinando Sartucci. Defective chromatic and achromatic visual pathways in developmental dyslexia: Cues for an integrated intervention programme. Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience. 2017; 35 (1):11-24.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Luca Bonfiglio; Tommaso Bocci; Fabrizio Minichilli; Alessandra Crecchi; Davide Barloscio; Donata Maria Spina; Bruno Rossi; Ferdinando Sartucci. 2017. "Defective chromatic and achromatic visual pathways in developmental dyslexia: Cues for an integrated intervention programme." Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience 35, no. 1: 11-24.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2017 in Waste Management
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The lack of participatory tools in Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to support decision-makers is a critical factor that negatively affects the impacts of waste policies. This study describes the participatory HIA used in deciding on the possible doubling of the municipal solid waste incinerating plant located near the city of Arezzo, Italy. Within the framework of the new waste management plan, a methodology for the democratic participation of stakeholders was designed adopting the Local Agenda 21 methodology. Communication and participation events with the stakeholders were set up from the plan's development to its implementation. Eleven different categories of stakeholders including individual citizens were involved in 21 local events, reaching over 500 participants in three years. Actions were performed to build the commitment and ownership of the local administrators. Then, together with the environment and health agencies and a representative from the local committees, the local administrators collaborated with scientists and technicians in the knowledge-building and scoping stages. Focus groups of voluntary citizens worked together with the researchers to provide qualitative and quantitative evidence in the assessment stage. Periodic public forums were held to discuss processes, methods and findings. The local government authority considered the HIA results in the final decision and a new waste strategy was adopted both in the short term (increased curbside collection, waste sustainability program) and in the long term (limited repowering of the incinerator, new targets for separate collection). In conclusion, an effective participatory HIA was carried out at the municipal level to support decision makers in the waste management plan. The HIA21 study contributed to evidence-based decisions and to make a broadly participatory experience. The authors are confident that these achievements may improve the governance of the waste cycle and the trust in the public administration.

ACS Style

Nunzia Linzalone; Alessio Coi; Paolo Lauriola; Daniela Luise; Alessandra Pedone; Roberto Romizi; Domenico Sallese; Fabrizio Bianchi; Michele Santoro; Fabrizio Minichilli; Maria Teresa Maurello; Meri Scaringi; Maria Elisa Zuppiroli. Participatory health impact assessment used to support decision-making in waste management planning: A replicable experience from Italy. Waste Management 2017, 59, 557 -566.

AMA Style

Nunzia Linzalone, Alessio Coi, Paolo Lauriola, Daniela Luise, Alessandra Pedone, Roberto Romizi, Domenico Sallese, Fabrizio Bianchi, Michele Santoro, Fabrizio Minichilli, Maria Teresa Maurello, Meri Scaringi, Maria Elisa Zuppiroli. Participatory health impact assessment used to support decision-making in waste management planning: A replicable experience from Italy. Waste Management. 2017; 59 ():557-566.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nunzia Linzalone; Alessio Coi; Paolo Lauriola; Daniela Luise; Alessandra Pedone; Roberto Romizi; Domenico Sallese; Fabrizio Bianchi; Michele Santoro; Fabrizio Minichilli; Maria Teresa Maurello; Meri Scaringi; Maria Elisa Zuppiroli. 2017. "Participatory health impact assessment used to support decision-making in waste management planning: A replicable experience from Italy." Waste Management 59, no. : 557-566.

Journal article
Published: 22 December 2016 in Annali dell'Istituto Superiore di Sanità
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Michele Santoro; Fabrizio Minichilli; Nunzia Linzalone; Alessio Coi; Maria Teresa Maurello; Domenico Sallese; Fabrizio Bianchi. Adverse reproductive outcomes associated with exposure to a municipal solid waste incinerator. Annali dell'Istituto Superiore di Sanità 2016, 52, 576 -581.

AMA Style

Michele Santoro, Fabrizio Minichilli, Nunzia Linzalone, Alessio Coi, Maria Teresa Maurello, Domenico Sallese, Fabrizio Bianchi. Adverse reproductive outcomes associated with exposure to a municipal solid waste incinerator. Annali dell'Istituto Superiore di Sanità. 2016; 52 (4):576-581.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Michele Santoro; Fabrizio Minichilli; Nunzia Linzalone; Alessio Coi; Maria Teresa Maurello; Domenico Sallese; Fabrizio Bianchi. 2016. "Adverse reproductive outcomes associated with exposure to a municipal solid waste incinerator." Annali dell'Istituto Superiore di Sanità 52, no. 4: 576-581.

Research article
Published: 20 December 2016 in Neural Plasticity
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Preterm children have an increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairments which include psychomotor and language retardation. The objectives of the present retrospective cohort study were to examine the effects of an individually adapted, home-based, and family-centred early developmental habilitation program on neurodevelopmental and behavioural outcomes of very preterm children compared with a standard follow-up at 2 years' corrected age. Enrolled infants were retrospectively assigned to the intervention group (61 subjects) or to the control group (62 subjects) depending on whether they had or had not carried out a home-based family-centred early developmental habilitation program focused on environmental enrichment, parent-guided environmental interaction, and infant development. Developmental outcome was assessed for both groups at 24 months' corrected age using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development 2nd Edition. Intervention significantly improved both cognitive and behavioural outcomes. In addition, males had significantly lower scores than females either before or after treatment. However, the treatment was effective in both genders to the same extent. In conclusion, a timely updated environment suitable to the infant's developmental needs could provide the best substrate where the parent-infant relationship can be practised with the ultimate goal of achieving further developmental steps.

ACS Style

Michela Poggioli; Fabrizio Minichilli; Tiziana Bononi; Pasquina Meghi; Paolo Andre; Alessandra Crecchi; Bruno Rossi; Maria Chiara Carboncini; Alberto Ottolini; Luca Bonfiglio. Effects of a Home-Based Family-Centred Early Habilitation Program on Neurobehavioural Outcomes of Very Preterm Born Infants: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Neural Plasticity 2016, 2016, 4323792 -10.

AMA Style

Michela Poggioli, Fabrizio Minichilli, Tiziana Bononi, Pasquina Meghi, Paolo Andre, Alessandra Crecchi, Bruno Rossi, Maria Chiara Carboncini, Alberto Ottolini, Luca Bonfiglio. Effects of a Home-Based Family-Centred Early Habilitation Program on Neurobehavioural Outcomes of Very Preterm Born Infants: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Neural Plasticity. 2016; 2016 ():4323792-10.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Michela Poggioli; Fabrizio Minichilli; Tiziana Bononi; Pasquina Meghi; Paolo Andre; Alessandra Crecchi; Bruno Rossi; Maria Chiara Carboncini; Alberto Ottolini; Luca Bonfiglio. 2016. "Effects of a Home-Based Family-Centred Early Habilitation Program on Neurobehavioural Outcomes of Very Preterm Born Infants: A Retrospective Cohort Study." Neural Plasticity 2016, no. : 4323792-10.

Journal article
Published: 27 July 2016 in Environment International
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A human biomonitoring (HBM) survey in four areas affected by natural or anthropogenic arsenic pollution was conducted in Italy within the framework of the SEpiAs project. A questionnaire, including the exploration of risk perception (RP) regarding environmental hazards and access to and trust in information, was administered to 282 subjects stratified by area, gender and age. The survey was designed to investigate how populations living in polluted areas could adopt prevention-oriented habits, fostered by the awareness of existing risks and, in addition, how increased knowledge of RP and information flows could support researchers in identifying recommendations, and presenting and disseminating HBM results. This study characterizes the four areas in terms of RP and access to and trust in environmental information, and provides insights into the influence of RP and environmental information on food consumption. For the data analysis, a combined random forest (RF) and logistic regression approach was carried out. RF was applied to the variables derived from the questionnaire in order to identify the most important in terms of the aims defined. Associations were then tested using Fisher's exact test and assessed with logistic regression in order to adjust for confounders. Results showed that the perception of and personal exposure to atmospheric and water pollution, hazardous industries and waste, hazardous material transportation and waste was higher in geographical areas characterized by anthropogenic pollution. Citizens living in industrial areas appeared to be aware of environmental risks and had more confidence in environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) than in public authorities. In addition, they reported an insufficient circulation of information. Concerning the influence of RP and environmental information on food consumption, a high perception of personal exposure to atmospheric pollution and hazardous industries was associated with a lower consumption of local fish. In conclusion, different RPs and information flow patterns were observed in areas with arsenic of natural origin or in industrial contexts. These findings may be useful for targeted risk communication plans in support of risk-management strategies.

ACS Style

A. Coi; F. Minichilli; E. Bustaffa; S. Carone; M. Santoro; F. Bianchi; L. Cori. Risk perception and access to environmental information in four areas in Italy affected by natural or anthropogenic pollution. Environment International 2016, 95, 8 -15.

AMA Style

A. Coi, F. Minichilli, E. Bustaffa, S. Carone, M. Santoro, F. Bianchi, L. Cori. Risk perception and access to environmental information in four areas in Italy affected by natural or anthropogenic pollution. Environment International. 2016; 95 ():8-15.

Chicago/Turabian Style

A. Coi; F. Minichilli; E. Bustaffa; S. Carone; M. Santoro; F. Bianchi; L. Cori. 2016. "Risk perception and access to environmental information in four areas in Italy affected by natural or anthropogenic pollution." Environment International 95, no. : 8-15.

Journal article
Published: 23 July 2016 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research
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Exposure to arsenic (As) increases cardiovascular risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between As and intima-media thickness (IMT) in the common carotid artery and common genetic variants in genes implicated in As metabolism (ASIIIMT Met287Thr, GSTT1+/-, and GSTM1+/-) and DNA repair (hOGG1 Ser326Cys and XRCC1 Arg399Ser). Two hundred and fourteen healthy volunteers, age 20-46, were recruited in four zones polluted by As. Urine samples were tested for total As, inorganic As (iAs), monomethylarsinic (MMA), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA). Primary and secondary methylation index (PMI, SMI) were computed as MMA/iAs and DMA/MMA. Common carotid artery scans were obtained by high-resolution ultrasound. There was no correlation between IMT and total As, iAs, iAs + MMA + DMA, PMI, or SMI. However, the increase of IMT with age was higher than that observed in the healthy population, both in males (6.25 vs. 5.20 μm/year) and, to a lesser extent, in females (5.05 vs. 4.97 μm/year). After correction for age and gender, subjects with a high urinary As level (≥3.86 μg/L) and carriers of the GSTT1-positive (+) genotype also had higher IMT than those with a low urinary level and the GSTT1-null (-) genotype (0.56 [0.48-0.64] vs. 0.53 [0.44-0.62] mm, p = 0.010). The analysis hints at faster vascular aging as compared to the healthy population. Our findings also suggested that GSTT1 and hOGG1 gene polymorphisms might play an important role in the individual risk of As-induced carotid atherosclerosis.

ACS Style

Francesco Stea; Francesco Faita; Andrea Borghini; Francesca Faita; Fabrizio Bianchi; Elisa Bustaffa; Fabrizio Minichilli; Maria Grazia Andreassi; Rosa Sicari. Arsenic and subclinical vascular damage in a sample of Italian young adults: a cross-sectional analysis. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2016, 23, 20307 -20314.

AMA Style

Francesco Stea, Francesco Faita, Andrea Borghini, Francesca Faita, Fabrizio Bianchi, Elisa Bustaffa, Fabrizio Minichilli, Maria Grazia Andreassi, Rosa Sicari. Arsenic and subclinical vascular damage in a sample of Italian young adults: a cross-sectional analysis. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2016; 23 (20):20307-20314.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesco Stea; Francesco Faita; Andrea Borghini; Francesca Faita; Fabrizio Bianchi; Elisa Bustaffa; Fabrizio Minichilli; Maria Grazia Andreassi; Rosa Sicari. 2016. "Arsenic and subclinical vascular damage in a sample of Italian young adults: a cross-sectional analysis." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 23, no. 20: 20307-20314.

Review
Published: 01 July 2016 in Epidemiol Prev
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Among all congenital malformations, congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the main cause of neonatal mortality and infant mortality and morbidity, thus representing a major public health burden. Several epidemiological studies suggested the role of environmental factors in the genesis of CHDs. to collect the recently literature (2011-2015) on the increasing risk of CHDs in the offspring of exposure to industries, mines, landfills, and incinerators and individual risk factors (cigarette smoking, alcohol use, occupational exposure, socioeconomic status, and air pollution). a search was carried out in PubMed following SENTIERI project criteria to evaluate evidence by selecting English and Italian articles regarding human studies. 2,066 abstracts were collected and examined individually. Systematic reviews of epidemiological and individual studies reporting association estimates between the outcome (CHDs) and at least one of the risk factors were selected. studies on industries and landfills exposures provided limited evidence of increased risk of CHDs associated with the proximity of maternal residence to the sites. Inadequate evidence was found for positive association between exposure to mines or incinerators and risk of CHDs. Regarding maternal cigarette smoking, literature provided sufficient evidence of an increased risk of CHDs in offspring. A limited evidence of an increased risk of CHDs among pregnant women working in agriculture or exposed to solvents and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons emerged. Sufficient epidemiological evidence emerged for the association between CHDs and maternal exposure to high concentrations of NO2 and SO2. meta-analysis results should be interpreted with caution as they are based on a few studies, some of which are subject to high heterogeneity. For future research, epidemiological studies including spontaneous abortions and voluntary termination of pregnancy, an accurate individual exposure characterisation and an adequate control of the main confounding variables are needed.

ACS Style

Silvia Baldacci; Francesca Gorini; Fabrizio Minichilli; Anna Pierini; Michele Santoro; Fabrizio Bianchi. Rassegna degli studi epidemiologici su fattori di rischio individuali e ambientali nell’eziologia dei difetti cardiaci congeniti. Epidemiol Prev 2016, 40, 185 -196.

AMA Style

Silvia Baldacci, Francesca Gorini, Fabrizio Minichilli, Anna Pierini, Michele Santoro, Fabrizio Bianchi. Rassegna degli studi epidemiologici su fattori di rischio individuali e ambientali nell’eziologia dei difetti cardiaci congeniti. Epidemiol Prev. 2016; 40 (3-4):185-196.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Silvia Baldacci; Francesca Gorini; Fabrizio Minichilli; Anna Pierini; Michele Santoro; Fabrizio Bianchi. 2016. "Rassegna degli studi epidemiologici su fattori di rischio individuali e ambientali nell’eziologia dei difetti cardiaci congeniti." Epidemiol Prev 40, no. 3-4: 185-196.

Journal article
Published: 09 June 2016 in Muscle & Nerve
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Introduction: In patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been proposed as a useful tool for diagnosis and follow-up. It may identify muscle inflammation (edema) and fatty infiltration for evaluation of disease activity and damage. Little information is available on the role of MRI in assessment of large cohorts of adult patients with IIM. Methods: Fifty-one patients underwent MRI of the thigh muscles, laboratory tests, and clinical evaluation, including Physician Global Assessment (PGA) of myositis activity and the Manual Muscle Test 8 (MMT8). Results: Muscle edema correlated significantly with creatine kinase values (P = 0.017) and PGA (P < 0.001). A significant correlation between edema and MMT8 values (P = 0.025) was observed when patients with muscle fatty infiltration were excluded. With respect to clinical diagnosis, the sensitivity of MRI was 92.3%, and specificity was 83.3%. Conclusions: MRI appears to provide additional information that complements clinical and biochemical examinations. Muscle Nerve, 2016

ACS Style

Simone Barsotti; Virna Zampa; Rosaria Talarico; Fabrizio Minichilli; Simona Ortori; Valentina Iacopetti; Anna D'ascanio; Antonio Gaetano Tavoni; Stefano Bombardieri; Marta Mosca; Rossella Neri. Thigh magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of disease activity in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies followed in a single center. Muscle & Nerve 2016, 54, 666 -672.

AMA Style

Simone Barsotti, Virna Zampa, Rosaria Talarico, Fabrizio Minichilli, Simona Ortori, Valentina Iacopetti, Anna D'ascanio, Antonio Gaetano Tavoni, Stefano Bombardieri, Marta Mosca, Rossella Neri. Thigh magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of disease activity in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies followed in a single center. Muscle & Nerve. 2016; 54 (4):666-672.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Simone Barsotti; Virna Zampa; Rosaria Talarico; Fabrizio Minichilli; Simona Ortori; Valentina Iacopetti; Anna D'ascanio; Antonio Gaetano Tavoni; Stefano Bombardieri; Marta Mosca; Rossella Neri. 2016. "Thigh magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of disease activity in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies followed in a single center." Muscle & Nerve 54, no. 4: 666-672.