Understanding the interacting factors that influence social vulnerability: a case study of the 2016 central Italy earthquake

This paper seeks to identify those areas that proved socially vulnerable to the earthquake that struck central Italy on 24 August 2016. The study involved four key steps. First, six relevant social vulnerability indicators were selected, based on previous conclusions in the literature. Second, the indicators were mapped using the inverse distance weighted interpolation method. Third, social vulnerability was assessed according to a spatial combination of the indicators. Fourth, in order to build a heterogeneity map, another approach was employed to represent the spatial variability of social vulnerability and to provide additional information on the synergistic contributions of the indicators. The results indicate that age and accessibility indicators affect the entire region under review, with highly vulnerable zones being close to small historical centres. These findings will be useful to governments, policymakers, and stakeholders with regard to implementing vulnerability mitigation strategies in Italian territories that are highly susceptible to earthquake hazards.     

Handling of dioxin measurement data in the presence of non-detectable values: overview of available methods and their application in the Seveso chloracne study

Exposure measurements of concentrations that are non-detectable or near the detection limit (DL) are common in environmental research. Proper statistical treatment of non-detects is critical to avoid bias and unnecessary loss of information. In the present work, we present an overview of possible statistical strategies for handling non-detectable values, including deletion, simple substitution, distributional methods, and distribution-based imputation. Simple substitution methods (e.g., substituting 0, DL/2, DL/ radical2, or DL for the non-detects) are the most commonly applied, even though the EPA Guidance for Data Quality Assessment discouraged their use when the percentage of non-detects is >15%. Distribution-based multiple imputation methods, also known as robust or "fill-in" procedures, may produce dependable results even when 50-70% of the observations are non-detects and can be performed using commonly available statistical software. Any statistical analysis can be conducted on the imputed datasets. Results properly reflect the presence of non-detectable values and produce valid statistical inference. We describe the use of distribution-based multiple imputation in a recent investigation conducted on subjects from the Seveso population exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), in which 55.6% of plasma TCDD measurements were non-detects. We suggest that distribution-based multiple imputation be the preferred method to analyze environmental data when substantial proportions of observations are non-detects.     

The re-use of derelict land

Conclusions Despite these problems there are a number of positive cases, where exemplary solutions have been found after long processes of negotiation and compensation and which can stand as examples of what can be achieved in a re-organisation of the environment and housing structure between the Ruhr and the Lippe.The transformation of the old Rosenblumendelle pit in Mülheim into a shopping centre, the create of a modern industrial park on the land of the old Friedrich Ernestine pit in Essen (from the pit closure to the establishment of the park the whole process only took four and a half years!), and the transformation of the old Dahlhauser Tiefbau pit in Bochum into a leisure and recreation area, which will soon be completed. These and other examples show that reclamation, given favourable circumstances, can be very successful indeed.     

First trimester monitoring of a pregnancy at risk for glucose phosphate isomerase deficiency

First trimester prenatal diagnosis was offered to the mother of a child affected by severe haemolytic anaemia due to glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) deficiency. The mutant enzyme was characterized by an increased thermal lability. Both parents had 50 per cent normal red cell GPI activity. We have shown that the homozygous and heterozygous genotypes can be clearly distinguished from each other and controls by combinations of the measurement of enzyme activity and enzyme thermal lability. Examination of trophoblast cells obtained at 9 weeks of gestation led to the diagnosis of a GPI heterozygous fetus. The result was confirmed by analysis on uncultured and cultured amniotic fluid cells sampled at 16 weeks and by red blood cell studies of the healthy newborn. Prenatal diagnosis of GPI deficiency is indicated in families with previous cases resulting in severe haemolysis and mainly with the conservative view of arranging appropriate therapeutic measures for affected fetuses.     

A case study of intra-community conflict as facility impact

Through a qualitative case study, this paper describes the everyday experience of conflict as a serious impact of noxious facilities. It describes intra-community conflict over two existing waste facilities (a regional landfill and a low-level hazardous waste facility) in Ryley, Alberta, Canada. Twenty-seven in-depth face-to-face interviews and one focus group reveal deep conflict presented as frustration, anger, social isolation and strained social relations between locals who ‘support’ the facilities as a means of bolstering the local economy and those who do not (mainly long-time resident farmers). Although the type of hazard exposure (i.e. existing facilities) is important for explaining why conflict developed and became entrenched, it is argued that the nature of community, and in particular differences in ways of life, are also critical determinants. The findings are compared to theory and other case studies concerning why social conflict develops over technological hazards. Implications for environmental impact assessment and environmental appeals are discussed, as well as compensation as one avenue for equitably reducing conflict.