Environmental and health conditions before and after operational onset of a very large power plant in an Italian rural area

The objectives of this longitudinal study have been to determine the changes that occur in the health status of residents after the operational onset of a very large power plant in a rural area (Po River Delta). The power plant burns oil, and emits up to 500 tons sulfur dioxide. Pollution was at background levels years before the plant was constructed. Pollution levels were at background levels. Since operation started (1982), pollution concentrations occasionally reach European AQG levels. Concentrations are greatest in winter. An indoor monitoring program has been established. Prevalence rates of symptoms prior to the operation of the plant were in the low range, and lung function decrements were not large (for such population surveys); they were related primarily to smoking and other characteristics of the population (including SES). For instance, exertional shortness of breath (all grades) a sign of chronic cardiopulmonary disease, was only 11%, and chronic productive cough (the symptoms of chronic bronchitis) prevalence rate was only 9%. These results have been ascribed to the low levels of pollution in the area prior to plant start-up. However, prevalence rates of symptoms were related to type of heating, and fuels used for heating and cooking