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Health effects associated with the disposal of solid waste in landfills and incinerators in populations living in surrounding areas: a systematic review

  • Review
  • Published:
International Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Objectives

Potential health hazards for the environment and people living nearby landfills and incinerators are claimed to be related to several methods of waste management. Independent systematic review of the scientific literature is a key procedure to support the lay public and policy makers to achieve informed decisions.

Methods

The study design and potential biases of papers retrieved in this comprehensive literature search were analyzed.

Results

The most consistent result is that the risks of congenital anomalies and hospitalization due to respiratory disease are likely to be real nearby special waste landfills. From the very little information on exclusively urban waste depots it is reasonable to say that correct management of landfill does not increase the risk of these health effects. It is confirmed that historically incinerators are an important source of pollution and harm for the health of populations living nearby; however, changes in technology are producing more reassuring results.

Conclusions

A moderate level of confidence is possible in limited areas of knowledge, implying the need to overcome the limitations of current studies about exposure assessment and to control confounders at the individual level.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Vanna Pistotti for library search strategies and Francesco Forastiere, Pietro Comba, Ennio Cadum, Andrea Ranzi, Carla Ancona, and Fabrizio Bianchi for comments and suggestions. The authors declare their full responsibility for the production, analysis, and interpretation of the results and the conclusions of the systematic review. This review has been made possible through a grant from the Regione Campania Authority addressed by the Center for Disease Control of the Italian Ministry of Health.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Federico II Naples, Naples, Italy

    Amalia Mattiello, Nunzia Forgione, Incoronata Flammia & Salvatore Panico

  2. Department of Mental Health and Preventive Medicine, Second University of Naples, Caserta, Italy

    Paolo Chiodini & Ciro Gallo

  3. Azienda Sanitaria Locale Avellino, Avellino, Italy

    Elvira Bianco

  4. Epidemiological Observatory, Campania Region, Naples, Italy

    Renato Pizzuti

  5. Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Federico II University, Via Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy

    Salvatore Panico

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  1. Amalia Mattiello
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  2. Paolo Chiodini
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Correspondence to Salvatore Panico.

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Mattiello, A., Chiodini, P., Bianco, E. et al. Health effects associated with the disposal of solid waste in landfills and incinerators in populations living in surrounding areas: a systematic review. Int J Public Health 58, 725–735 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-013-0496-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-013-0496-8

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