P-116

Abstract

Introduction: Several studies have been conducted on the possible health effects for people living close to landfills and well-conducted reviews are available. Nevertheless, several uncertainties limit the overall interpretation of the findings. We evaluated the mortality risk in the cohort of people living near the nine landfills in Lazio, Italy. Methods:The study area was defined as the 5 km radius around the landfills during the period 1996-2008. People who were residents in 1/1/1996, or subsequently became residents up to 31/12/2008, were enrolled in a longitudinal study. All the addresses were geocoded. Follow-up at 31/12/2008 was done by linking with the regional mortality database. SPRAY Lagrangian dispersion model was used for exposure assessment (H2S, indicator of diffuse emissions), while concentration maps of PM10 were considered for exposure to other pollution sources. Cause-specific mortality hazard ratios of people over the 95th percentile, comparing to people under the 50° percentile of H2S distribution, adjusted for age, area-based socioeconomic status (SES), and PM10 were calculated, using a Cox regression model. Results: the cohort consisted of 196.868 people, 26% of low SES. No association between H2S exposure and all-cause (HR 0.96 CI 95% 0.81-1.14 men; HR 1.09, CI 95% 0.90-1.33 women), cancer (HR 1.01, CI 95% 0.76-1.33 and HR 1.36, CI 95% 0.96-1.92, men and women, respectively) or several other mortality causes was observed. Conclusions:No increased risk of mortality was observed in this cohort, the ongoing morbidity study will provide further indications on the potential landfill health effects.