To the
colleagues of the medical sector in Alto Lazio
Dear Colleagues,
We are writing to you as we are deeply
concerned about the choice to implement in the City of
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The environmental and sanitary risk
It is known
that a very many polluting agents when inserted in the atmosphere, in the air and
in the soil go through respiration and alimentary chain in touch with the human
organism after having caused irreversible damages and alterations also to the
environment and to the biodiversity of the ecosystems.
If the
airport were to be constructed, the continuous take-off, landing and flying of the
aircrafts would bring to a strong increase of the strongly polluting emissions.
The air
traffic, moreover, contributes for 10% ca. to the accretion of carbon dioxide
and therefore to the climatic overheating of the entire planet phasing directly
in carbon dioxide, gas and powders in the higher strata of the troposphere and in the lower ones of the stratosphere
thus altering de facto the atmosphere composition.
The situation
in the Tuscia
as far as the quantity of carbon dioxide is concerned already is amongst
the most serious in Italy as it is highlighted in the study of Eco-Way, a
company in Milan, published last October.
The air
traffic foreseen would determine and augment the presence of damaging gases such
as: Carbon Monoxide (CO), Sulphur Oxides (SOx),
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Hydrocarbons (HC) (as it
contains benzene, a known carcinogen), and the pollution from thin and ultrathin dusts (particulate matter of dimensions smaller
than 5 and 2.5 microns of diameter). These dusts, through the lungs, take
directly into the blood and into the brain the heavy metals (lead in primis) freed
by the combustion of the kerosene (a carburant less refined than oil) and the erosion and abrasions
of the braking systems and of the vehicles’ tyres on the runaways.
The thin and ultrathin dusts’ pathologies: “nanopathologies”
The scientifical researches and the international scientifical community show and affirm without any doubts
that an always greater number of illnesses are caused by the interaction
between environmental polluting matters and the human genetic.
By now, it is
well documented that the ultrathin particulate matter
(dusts originated by the combustion processes) passes through the filtering
systems, remains in the atmosphere for a long time, and can be transported for
tens and hundreds kilometres, penetrates through all organic barriers and
membranes - including the skull nerves,
the haemato-cerebral barrier, the placenta, the
endothelia, the plasmatic membranes – reaching the cellular nuclei with its own
load of heavy metals and other carcinogen factors, thus interfering with the
Dan repair systems and the mechanisms of the genii expression.
There are
evidences more and more consistent to how numerous polluters introduced in the
human body create inflammatory chronic processes which determine a progressive
cellular stress affecting all organs and textures and opening the way to
serious pathologies such as atherosclerosis and cancer. But the problem that more
alarms a large number of colleagues, epidemiologists and paediatricians all
over the world, regards the possibility that the genetic damage hit the
germinal cells of the parents (causing a possible transmission to the
subsequent generations of lesions and pathologies, even serious) or directly
the foetus at the most delicate moment of its development.
Scientific
studies show the evident correlation between the exposition to thin and ultrathin dusts and the increase in hospitalisations,
mortality, breathing illnesses, chronic – degenerative illnesses (Alzheimer,
Lateral Amyotrophic Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis), of the endocrine illnesses,
of the neoplastic and cardiovascular system illnesses.
The
inhalation of thin and ultrathin dusts originates a
reduction of the pulmonary functionality in children, a reduction in the life
expectancy, increase in the neoplastic illnesses and
low weight at birth because of exposures during and before pregnancy.
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The acoustical and electromagnetic pollution
Furthermore,
one must also consider that the area around the airport, and whole quarters in Viterbo, exposed to the landings and take-offs, are
affected by a serious acoustical impact, and people living there are at risk of
cardiovascular pathologies, insomnia, irritability, asthenia, and hearing
problems.
The radar
systems of the control tower and those on board of aircrafts together with radio
transmission aerials and electromagnetic systems used for security checks
produce, in addition, electromagnetic pollution.
*
* *
The experience of cities already hosting airports’ structures
It has been
ascertained that the area around an airport with a low/moderate air traffic
which is more exposed to pollution, has a radius of
As far as
this aspect is concerned, the situation for Viterbo
and its province is already strongly problematic because it lacks of an
adequate and efficient railway network, since always.
The above
data are the result of an objective documentation and of the daily modus vivendi of
the populations of Ciampino, Malpensa,
linate, Orio al Serio, and of many other cities who host airports in
* * *
The
Dear Colleagues,
As we well
know the Viterbo territory has already suffered and
continues to suffer from environmental aggressions: to the natural
radioactivity caused by radon, they are to be added the presence of illegal
trash dumps not yet rendered secure, the presence of heavy metals in the waters
and particularly of arsenic, the processes of eutrophication of lakes, the presence of the largest
energetic pole in Europe (the stations of Civitavecchia
and Montalto di Castro,
accompanied by the project of re-conversion of the Torvaldaliga
Nord station in Civitavecchia
and the attached additional, enormous damages to the environment and health).
Specifically,
areas of particular beauty, fascination and history such as that of the Bullicame, of the botanical garden and of the thermae would be upset for ever because of the cement-phication, and their ecosystem and biodiversity deeply
damaged by the polluters generated and diffused by the air traffic.
The choice to
realise an airport in Viterbo would therefore add a
further and very serious polluting factor and hence of risk for the environment
and the health, in particular for that of children.
If, and
justly, we are worried for the damages to the health produced by the pollution
of the car traffic, all the more reason, we must be worried for the possible
damages caused by the air traffic and an airport which would arise contiguously
to the city. We are convinced that mobility on tyres and that on air must be
decreased in favour of a mobility on railways.
In
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The responsibility of the medical doctors
Article 5 of
our New Code of Deontology affirms: “Medical doctors must consider the
environment where man lives and works as a determining and fundamental element
for the health of the citizens”.
As doctors we
are therefore vested with a greater responsibility which becomes even stronger
when we are administrators and are called to decide on works, plants and
infrastructures which can bring a damage to health and
to the environment.
It is no
longer possible to continue repeating the error to expose people and whole
communities to risks for the health, and afterwards, years later, and
unfortunately after a number of deaths and sick people, recognise what the scientifical evidence had proved.
We deem it is
important, in every decisional phase, the acquisition of the necessary scientifical documentation, the adoption of the precaution
principle and of the sanitary impact evaluation (
* * *
Dear Colleagues,
We all know
how important it is to be continuously informed, formed and updated both for
the dignity of our profession and for the full protection of our patients.
We ask you
all and particularly those among you that have institutional responsibilities
to pledge yourselves to a reconsideration of the decision that singles out in Viterbo a site for a new airport, conscious as we all are
that before all we must protect the health of our patients, of the young and
future generations and of the healthiness of the environment.
Cordially,
Dr. Gianni Ghirga
Dr. Antonella Litta
Dr. Mauro Mocci
for
the coordination in Alto Lazio of Isde
(International Society of Doctors for
the Environment - Italia)
Viterbo, 18 March 2008.
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Post Scriptum
This
preoccupation of ours is shared by a very great number of citizens living in Viterbo and in the Alto Lazio and also by scientists, environmentalists,
Italian and European MPs, writers, university professors, intellectuals,
essayists; among so many illustrious names: professors Angelo Baracca, Virginio Bettini, Marcello Cini, Giorgio Cortellessa, Giuseppe Nascetti,
Giorgio Nebbia, Gianni Tamino;
the Vice President of the European Parliament Luisa Morgantini;
the magistrate Ferdinando Imposimato.
Our appeal has been adhered to and subscribed also by a great number of social
operators, both religious and layman, persons involved in the human rights,
personalities in the civil life and moral reflection, among which Father Alex Zanotelli and numerous associations and movements in the
field of biosphere, communal wealth, peace defence. Numerous interrogations
have been presented to Parliament and to the Lazio Regional Authorities.
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A bibliography and websitegraphy to be
thoroughly acquainted
a) Some
articles and volumes
- Aydin Y.,Kaltenbach M., Noise
perception, heart rate and blood pressure in relation to aircraft noise in the
vicinity of the
- APAT,(Agenzia per la protezione dell’ambiente e per i servizi
tecnici). 8 mila decessi l’anno in 13
città italiane per gli effetti a lungo termine dell’inquinamento atmosferico da
particolato. Comunicato stampa 15 giugno 2006, Roma.
- Bharathi,Ravid R.,Rao
K.S., Role of metals in neuronal
apoptosis: challenges associated with neurodegeneration. Curr
Alzheimer Res. 2006 Sep; 3(4): 311-26.
- Cohen B.S.,Bronzaft A.L., Heikkinen
M., Goodman J., Nádas
A., Airport-related
air pollution and noise. J Occup
Environ Hyg. 2008 Feb;5(2):
119-29.
-
Marinella Correggia. La rivoluzione dei
dettagli. Feltrinelli, Milano, 2007.
- Eriksson C., Rosenlund M.,Pershagen G.,Hilding A.,Ostenson CG., Bluhm G., Aircraft noise and incidence of hypertension
Epidemiology
2007 Nov; 18(6): 716-21.
- Fang G.C.,Wu
Y.S.,Lee W.J.,Chou T.Y.,
Lin I.C.,Study of ambient air particulates pollutants near
- Frati L., Caprasecca E.,Santoni S.,Gaggi C.,Guttova A.,Gaudino S.,Pati A., Rosamilia S.,Pirintsos S.A.,Loppi S., Effects of NO2 and NH3 from road traffic
on epiphytic lichens. Environ Pollut. 2006
Jul; 142(1): 58-64. Epub
2005 Nov 28.
- Hertz-Picciotto I., Park
H.Y., Dostal M., Kocan A.,Trnovec T., Sram R., Prenatal exposures to persistent and
non-persistent organic compounds and effects on immune system development. Basic Clin Pharmacol
Toxicol. 2008 Feb; 102(2): 146-54.
-Iavicoli I
., Chiarotti M., Bergamaschi A., Marsili R., Carelli G., Determination of airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at an airport by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and evaluation of occupational exposure.J. Chromatogr A. 2007 May 25;
1150(1-2): 226-35. Epub 2006
Aug 30.
- Jaana Kettunen,
Timo Lanki, Pekka Tiittamen, Pasi P. Aalt, Tarja
Koskentalo,Markku Kulmala, Veikko Salomaa,Juha Pekkamen, Associations
of fine and ultrafine particulate air pollution with
stoke mortality in a area of low air pollution levels. Stroke 2007; 38;
918-922.
- Jarup L.,Dudley
M.L.,Babisch W.,Houthuijs D.,Swart W.,Pershagen G.,Bluhm G., Katsouyanni K.,Velonakis M.,Cadum E.,Vigna-Taglianti F.,
Hyena Consortium. Hypertension and
Exposure to Noise near Airports: study design and noise exposure assessment.
Environ Health Perspect. 2005 Nov; 113(11): 1473-8.
- K.A.Kugele, F.JelineK, R.Gaffal. Aircraft Particulate Matter Emission
Estimation through all Phases of Flight. Eurocontrol Experimental Centre,
2005.
-
Legambiente Piemonte rapporto ”Aeroporto
di Malpensa e vivibilità”, Torino, 24 febbraio 2003.
-
Legambiente Lazio e Comitato
aeroporto Ciampino “Smog dai cieli:
rilevazione livello polveri sottili”. Roma,luglio 2006.
- Oberdörster G., Oberdörster E., Oberdörster J., Nanotoxicology: an emerging discipline evolving from
studies of ultrafine particles. Environ Health Perspect. 2005 Jul; 113(7): 823-39.
- Pal'tsev IuP., Rubtsova N.B., Pokhodzei L.V., Tikhonova G.I., Hygienic regulation of electromagnetic
fields for the preservation of workers' health. Med Tr Prom Ekol. 2003; (5):
13-7.
- Passchier W., Knottnerus A., Albering H.,
- Pisani S., Bonarrigo D., Gambino M., Macchi L., Banfi F., Verri A.M., Degli Stefani C., Cislaghi C., Bossi A.,
- Pokhodzei L.V., Kur'erov N.N., Rubtsova N.B., Pal'tsev IuP., Lazarenko N.V., Samusenko T.G., Subbotin V.V., Hygienic evaluation of electromagnetic situation and vibroacoustic
factors at workplaces for radio-technological staff of civil airports.
Med Tr Prom Ekol. 2004; (1): 31-5.
-Royal Commission on
Environmental Pollution, The
Environmental Effects of Civil Aircraft in Flight. Report(www.rcep.org.uk),
22 March, 2007.
- Sharon Ruth Skolnick, Exposing Airports'Poison Circles.
- Società
Eco Way Milano. Rapporto sulle emissioni
di anidride carbonica prodotte dalle aziende della Regione Lazio nel 2006.
Milano, 4 ottobre 2007.
- Stansfeld S.A., Berglund B.,
Clark C., Lopez-Barrio I., Fischer P., Ohrström E., Haines M.M., Head
J., Hygge S., Van Kamp I.,
Berry B.F.,Aircraft and road traffic noise and children's cognition and health: a cross-national study. Lancet. 2005 Jun
4-10; 365(9475): 1942-9.
- Stenzel Jennifer and
Jonathan Trutt. Flying
Off Course:Environmental
Impacts of
- Stuber N., Forster P., Rädel G., Shine K., The importance of the diurnal and annual
cycle of air traffic for contrail radiative forcing.Nature.2006
Jun 15; 441(7095): 864-7.
- The Royal Society and The Royal Academy of engineer,
- Touitou Y.,Evaluation of the effects of electric and magnetic
fields in humans. Ann Pharm Fr. 2004 Jul; 62(4):
219-32.
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b) Some
websites
- www.airportwatch.org.uk
- www.caap.org/Airport_Noise_Pollution_Research.html
- www.chooseclimate.org
- www.coipiediperterra.org
- www.comitatoaeroportociampino.it
- www.ewg.org/reports/generations
- www.ipcc.ch
-
http://ospiti.comune.siena.it/filoerba/aeroporto/index02.html
- www.noaereibz.it