Outdoor air and health: an integrated atlas to support decisions and research

Contact person: Gualtiero Ricciardi

Short title: OUTDOOR AIR AND HEALTH

CALL: CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS - 1900 - OUTDOOR AIR AND HEALTH

Project Code: PREV-A-2022-12376981

Start date: 01/01/2023

End Date: -

Coordinator: Emilia Romagna Region

Funding body: Ministry of Health

Link: https://www.atlanteariasalute.it/about-2/

Abstract: The project addresses the problem of air pollution in Italy, which has led to numerous infringement procedures by the European Commission. The main sources of emissions include urbanization, industries, agriculture and transport, particularly concentrated in areas such as the Po basin, some sites in Lazio, Campania, Puglia and Sicily but also on some areas that, although not affected by infringement procedures, have critical areas for air quality, as in the case of the Marche region and Molise.

The aim is to produce high-quality up-to-date information on exposure, interventions, health outcomes in each participating region and on the possible causal relationships between these elements, which will be processed and shared with political decision-makers and citizens, for health and local prevention planning. In addition, the project will produce a model that can be exported to all Italian regions.

Planned actions include:

• the creation of an atlas that provides information on air quality and health impacts, integrating skills and methodologies
• the promotion of shared governance of information, fostering collaboration between various bodies
• insights into specific areas and vulnerable populations, assessing the impact of specific pollutants and studying less established health outcomes
• training to build a common language and raise awareness through representative case studies, to provide paradigmatic examples for the application of the model.