Air pollution biological effects in children living in Lecce (Italy) by Buccal micronucleus cytome assay (the MAPEC_LIFE study)

et al. 2016

The prevalence of obesity among Italian children has reached such alarming levels as to require detailed studies of the causes of the phenomenon. A cross-sectional study was carried out in order to assess the weight status of 1164 Italian children aged 6–8 years (the Monitoring Air Pollution Effects on Children for Supporting Public Health Policy (MAPEC_LIFE) cohort) and to identify any associations between selected socio-economic and environmental factors and overweight/obesity. The data were obtained by means of a questionnaire given to parents, and any associations were examined by binomial logistic regression analyses. Overweight was found to be positively associated with male gender, parents of non-Italian origin, and parents who smoke, and negatively associated with the parents’ level of education and employment. In addition, the frequency of overweight varied in relation to the geographical area of residence, with a greater prevalence of overweight children in the cities of central-southern Italy. This study highlights the need to implement appropriate obesity prevention programs in Italy, which should include educational measures concerning lifestyle for parents from the earliest stages of their child’s life.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Socio-Economic and Environmental Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity in Children Aged 6–8 Years Living in Five Italian Cities (the MAPEC_LIFE Cohort)

Grassi

Donno

et al. 2016

“…Micronucleated cells (MNC) can be investigated in target tissues, such as oral mucosa, especially exfoliated buccal cells (EBC) in which they highlight the presence of alterations in chromosomal structure and oxidative stress caused by exposure to air pollutants [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. The frequency of MNC could be increased also by altered health states, such as obesity [ 20 ] and some diseases or treatments [ 21 ], and unhealthy lifestyles, such as residence in areas with high traffic levels [ 19 ], smoking and exposure to passive smoking [ 22 , 23 ], cooking fumes [ 24 ] and heat-processed foods [ 25 ]. In contrast, a high level of parental education [ 26 ], a healthy diet [ 27 ] and physical exercise [ 23 ] may contribute to decrease the occurrence of MNC.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The frequency of MNC could be increased also by altered health states, such as obesity [ 20 ] and some diseases or treatments [ 21 ], and unhealthy lifestyles, such as residence in areas with high traffic levels [ 19 ], smoking and exposure to passive smoking [ 22 , 23 ], cooking fumes [ 24 ] and heat-processed foods [ 25 ]. In contrast, a high level of parental education [ 26 ], a healthy diet [ 27 ] and physical exercise [ 23 ] may contribute to decrease the occurrence of MNC.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Micronuclei in Exfoliated Buccal Cells of Children Living in a Cluster Area of Salento (Southern Italy) with a High Incidence of Lung Cancer: The IMP.AIR Study

Idolo

Grassi

et al. 2018

During the years 2014–2016 the University of Salento performed the “Impact of Air Quality on Health of Residents in the Municipalities of Cutrofiano, Galatina, Sogliano Cavour, Soleto and Sternatia” (IMP.AIR) study, an epidemiological-molecular research project aiming to evaluate early DNA damage in children living in an area of Salento with high incidence of lung cancer among the male population. One hundred and twenty-two children aged 6–8 years attending primary school were enrolled and the frequency of micronucleated cells (MNC) in oral mucosa was evaluated. In addition, a questionnaire was administered to parents to obtain information about personal data, anthropometric characteristics and lifestyles (physical activity, food habits, family context) of the children and perform a multivariate analysis to detect any factors associated with MNC occurrence. Data on airborne pollutants detected in the study area were acquired by the Regional Agency for the Environmental Protection. The presence of MNC was highlighted in about 42% of children with a mean MNC frequency of 0.49‰. The frequency of MNC was associated to obesity, consumption of red or processed meat and having a mother who smokes. Moreover, the prevalence of biomarkers was higher than in another area of Salento not included in the cluster area.

“…It aimed to evaluate, both by toxicological and epidemiologic-molecular approaches, the association between air pollution exposure and early biological effect in 6–8-year-old children living in Italian areas with varying levels of air pollution [24,25]. …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This study was included in the “Monitoring Air Pollution Effects on Children for supporting public health policy” (MAPEC_LIFE) project (LIFE12 ENV/IT/000614) [ 23 ], a multicenter cohort study funded by the European Union’s LIFE+ Program. It aimed to evaluate, both by toxicological and epidemiologic-molecular approaches, the association between air pollution exposure and early biological effect in 6–8-year-old children living in Italian areas with varying levels of air pollution [ 24 , 25 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Risk Associated with Exposure to PM10 and Benzene in Three Italian Towns

Donno

Giorgi

et al. 2018

Air pollution in urban areas is a major concern as it negatively affects the health of a large number of people. The purpose of this study was to assess the inhalation health risk for exposure to PM10 and benzene of the populations living in three Italian cities. Data regarding PM10 and benzene daily measured by “traffic” stations and “background” stations in Torino, Perugia, and Lecce during 2014 and 2015 were compared to the limits indicated in the Directive 2008/50/EC. In addition, an inhalation risk analysis for exposure to benzene was performed for adults and children by applying the standard United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) methodology. The levels of PM10 detected in Torino exceeded the legal limits in both years with an increased mean concentration >10 µg/m3 comparing with background station. Benzene concentrations never exceeded the legislative target value. The increased cancer risk (ICR) for children exposed to benzene was greater than 1 × 10−6 only in the city of Torino, while for adults, the ICR was higher than 1 × 10−6 in all the cities. The results suggest the need for emission reduction policies to preserve human health from continuous and long exposure to air pollutants. A revision of legal limits would also be recommended.