INSINERGIA – National Multicentre Biomonitoring Study in Sites of National Interest

INSINERGIA | Padova Science Technology and Innovation Studies Duration: through December 2026Scientific Coordinator: Department of Public Health, University of Naples “Federico II"PaSTIS Scientific Lead: Paolo GiardulloFunding Body: National Complementary Investment Plan to the NRRP (PNC) – E.1 Health, Environment, Biodiversity and ClimatePartners:  Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health (DCTV) and Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology (FISPPA – PaSTIS)

Duration: through December 2026
Scientific Coordinator: Department of Public Health, University of Naples “Federico II”
PaSTIS Scientific Lead: Paolo Giardullo
Funding Body: National Complementary Investment Plan to the NRRP (PNC) – E.1 Health, Environment, Biodiversity and Climate
Partners:  Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health (DCTV) and Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology (FISPPA – PaSTIS)

Abstract

INSINERGIA – National Multicentre Biomonitoring Study in Sites of National Interest is a multicentre observational study conducted across 13 Italian Sites of National Interest (SIN), aimed at assessing population exposure to priority environmental contaminants and the potential associated health risks.

Within a collaboration between PaSTIS and the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health (DCTV) at the University of Padua, the PaSTIS contribution is aimed at investigating environmental risk perception, examining how it varies in relation to socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyles and residential contexts.

The research involves questionnaires administered to 8,000 adults living in Italy, organised into two complementary samples. The first enables comparisons between residents of areas affected by SINs and people living in areas characterised by lower environmental pressure, while the second provides an additional national comparison sample. This design makes it possible to distinguish patterns specifically associated with high environmental pressure from broader patterns of environmental risk perception within the general population.

By combining biomonitoring activities with the analysis of social perceptions, INSINERGIA contributes to a multidimensional understanding of environmental risk. The PaSTIS contribution specifically aims to generate knowledge that can support risk communication, prevention activities and the development of public-health interventions sensitive to the social and territorial characteristics of the populations involved.

Research Area: Environment, Sustainability and Territory