A retrospective study on acute health effects due to volcanic ash exposure during the eruption of Mount Etna (Sicily) in 2002

Table 1 Level of significance and difference in the frequency, in ED visits of the hospitals in the province of Catania, for some acute diseases

	Vittorio Emanuele Hospital		Cannizzaro Hospital		Garibaldi Hospital		Hospital of Giarre		Hospital of Militello		Hospital of Acireale		Hospital of Paternò		Hospital of Biancavilla		Hospital of Bronte
	Differ.	Value P	Differ.	Value P	Differ.	Value P	Differ.	Value P	Differ.	Value P	Differ.	Value P	Differ.	Value P	Differ.	Value P	Differ.	Value P
Acute affections of the upper respiratory tract	+2,73	p < 0,01	+0,17	NS	−0,10	NS	+0,2	NS	−0,27	NS	−4,70	NS	−0,15	NS	−4,82	P < 0,05	−0,34	NS
Acute diseases of lower respiratory tract	+1,45	p < 0,01	+1,24	p < 0,01	+0,10	p < 0,01	+3,11	p < 0,01	−0,50	NS	+0,09	NS	−0,32	NS	−0,63	NS	−0,48	NS
Cardiovascular diseases	+1,18	p < 0,01	+2,99	p < 0,01	−0,01	NS	+1,7	P < 0,05	−0,30	NS	+7,28	P < 0,05	+0,56	NS			−0,61	NS
Neuropsychiatric disorders	−0,08	NS	−0,01	NS	+0,17	NS	+1,17	NS			−0,16	NS	−0,13	NS	+0,07	NS	+0,82	NS
Ocular affections	+2,02	p < 0,01	−0,60	P < 0,05	+2,6	p < 0,01	+0,16	NS			−1,83	NS	−0,05	NS			+0,05	NS
Skin diseases	+0,2	NS	−0,08	NS	−0,33	NS	−1,9	p < 0,01	−0,46	NS	−0,472	NS	−0,44	NS	−0,23	NS	−0,15	NS
Surgery and orthopedy	−1,10	NS	+4,36	p < 0,01	+0,06	NS	+5,62	P < 0,05	−0,84	NS	−1,52	NS	+1,98	p < 0,01	−2,55	NS	+0,68	NS

Legend:
p < 0,01 highly significant difference.
p < 0,05 statistically significant difference.
p > 0,05 not significant difference.
The period is between October 20 and November 7, 2002. The results obtained were compared with those of the same period in 2001. Table 2 contains more detailed information in relation to the three major hospitals in Catania.

ISSN: 2049-6958