Lower socioeconomic classes are more exposed to air pollution in Italy

Objective: The present study aims at investigating whether lower socioeconomic classes, who present a higher prevalence of current smokers, are also more exposed to air pollution in Italy. Methods: In the frame of the GEIRD study (Gene Environment Interactions in Respiratory Diseases) 10494 subjects, randomly selected from the general population aged 20-44 years in 7 centres answered a screening questionnaire between 2007 and 2010 (response percentage=57.2%). It was investigated if residential exposure to industrial plants or heavy traffic changed as a function of education or profession. Results. Subjects with lower education were more likely to live near factories or heavy traffic roads (Table 1). Workmen presented the highest exposure to industrial plants while unemployed and housewives experienced the highest exposure to heavy traffic. In multivariable analysis profession was more associated with residential proximity to factories while education level was more associated with proximity to heavy traffic roads. Conclusion. Lower socioeconomic classes are more exposed not only to active smoking but also to air pollution.