An Integrated Approach for the Environmental Characterization of a Wide Potentially Contaminated Area in Southern Italy

Daniela Ducci, Stefano Albanese, Lorenzo Boccia, Egidio Celentano, Elena Cervelli, Alfonso Corniello, Anna Crispo, Benedetto De Vivo, Paolo Iodice, Carmela Langella, Annamaria Lima, Maurizio Manno, Mario Palladino, Stefania Pindozzi, Marina Rigillo, Nunzio Romano, Mariangela Sellerino, Adolfo Senatore, Giuseppe Speranza, Nunzio Fiorentino and Massimo Fagnano
Additional contact information
Daniela Ducci: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile Edile e Ambientale, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
Stefano Albanese: Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell’Ambiente e delle Risorse, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
Lorenzo Boccia: Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici (NA), Italy
Egidio Celentano: Agenzia Regionale Sanitaria Della Campania, 80143 Naples, Italy
Elena Cervelli: Centro Interdipartimentale Ricerca Ambiente, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
Alfonso Corniello: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile Edile e Ambientale, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
Anna Crispo: Epidemiology Unit, National Cancer Institute, “G. Pascale” Foundation, 80131 Naples, Italy
Benedetto De Vivo: Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell’Ambiente e delle Risorse, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
Paolo Iodice: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
Carmela Langella: Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Annamaria Lima: Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell’Ambiente e delle Risorse, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
Maurizio Manno: Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Mario Palladino: Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici (NA), Italy
Stefania Pindozzi: Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici (NA), Italy
Marina Rigillo: Dipartimento di Architettura, University of Naples Federico II, 80134 Naples, Italy
Nunzio Romano: Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici (NA), Italy
Mariangela Sellerino: Centro Interdipartimentale Ricerca Ambiente, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
Adolfo Senatore: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
Giuseppe Speranza: Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici (NA), Italy
Nunzio Fiorentino: Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici (NA), Italy
Massimo Fagnano: Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici (NA), Italy

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-23

Abstract: This paper deals with the environmental characterization of a large and densely populated area, with a poor reputation for contamination, considering the contribution of environmental features (air, soil, soil hydraulic and groundwater) and the potential effects on human health. The use of Geographic Information System (GIS) has made possible a georeferenced inventory and, by overlaying environmental information, an operational synthesis of comprehensive environmental conditions. The cumulative effects on environmental features were evaluated, taking into account superposition effects, by means of the Spatial MultiCriteria Decision Analysis (S-MCDA). The application of the S-MCDA for converging the combination of heterogeneous factors, related to soil, land and water, deeply studied by heterogeneous groups of experts, constitutes the novelty of the paper. The results confirmed an overall higher potential of exposure to contaminants in the environment and higher mortality rates in the study area for some tumours, but hospital admissions for tumours were generally similar to the regional trend. Besides, mortality data may be strictly dependent on the poor socioeconomic conditions, quality of therapy and a lack of welfare in the area relative to the rest of Italy. Finally, as regards the possible relationship between presence of contaminants in the environment and health conditions of the population no definite conclusions can be drawn, although the present study encourages the use of the new proposed methods, that increase the possibilities for studying the combined effect of more environmental factors.

Keywords: air pollution; soil hydraulic parameters; geochemical characterization of soils; aquifer vulnerability to contamination; health assessment; multi-criteria environmental analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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