Objective: the industrial area of Civitavecchia (central Italy) has been object of concern because of several sources of environmental contamination potentially affecting the residential communities: a harbor, a cement factory and several power plans are present in the area. A coal power plant is currently under construction. The aim of the study is to evaluate the health of residents in the area, through the analysis of the mortality registry and the hospital discharge records.
Design: cause and gender specific indirect Standardized Mortality (1997-2001) and Hospitalization (1997-2000 and 2001-2004) Ratios were computed, with 95% Confidence Intervals, using regional population as reference.
Results: mortality and morbidity excesses for cancer were observed, in particular an increased mortality for lung cancer (observed 134, SMR= 120) and for malignant neoplasm of pleura (observed 8, SMR= 516) were detected among men. An increased frequency of hospital admissions for asthma was observed among children aged 0-14 (period 1997-2000: males, observed 73, SHR= 177; females, observed 40, SHR= 157). Finally an significantly increased incidence of renal diseases was recorded by the Lazio Dialysis Registry in the period 2001-2004 (observed 28, SHR= 156).
Conclusion: in view of the environmental changes of the area, the excesses observed in this study suggest the need for epidemiologic monitoring found in excess (lung and pleural cancer, respiratory diseases among children, renal diseases) in the area.