Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40442661›Full record

SynthesisBMC public health2025

Residential exposure to municipal solid waste incinerators and health effects: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Isabella Bottini, Simona Vecchi, Manuela De Sario, Lisa Bauleo, Alessandro Trentalange, Paola Michelozzi, Carla Ancona

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Isabella BottiniDepartment of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Rome 1, Rome, Italy. i.bottini@deplazio.it.
Simona VecchiDepartment of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Rome 1, Rome, Italy.
Manuela De SarioDepartment of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Rome 1, Rome, Italy.
Lisa BauleoNational Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
Alessandro TrentalangeDepartment of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Rome 1, Rome, Italy.
Paola MichelozziDepartment of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Rome 1, Rome, Italy.
Carla AnconaDepartment of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Rome 1, Rome, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMunicipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) are widely used for waste management. However, the health effects of their emissions remain uncertain, needing further investigation and monitoring of the potential risks associated with such exposure. The aim of this study is to update and synthesize evidence on the health effects of residential exposure to MSWIs.

methodsA systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. The systematic search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science (April 2025), using specific search strategies, identified observational studies reporting quantitative estimates on the association between long term residential exposure to MSWIs and health outcomes. Study quality was assessed using the Navigation Guide tool. A narrative synthesis was conducted for all outcomes. When possible, a random-effects meta-analysis was performed and Higgins I

resultsOut of 3,273 records identified, 51 studies were included. The most frequently investigated outcomes were congenital anomalies, pregnancy outcomes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and cancers. The narrative synthesis suggests a weak association for hospitalizations due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in high-quality studies and a potential increased risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, based on low-quality evidence. The meta-analysis confirms a slight increased risk for respiratory diseases (HR 1.02; 95% CI 0.94-1.11), particularly for COPD (HR 1.08; 95% CI 0.82-1.41) and asthma (HR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00-1.05). Moderate heterogeneity was observed for most outcomes (I

conclusionsThis review highlights the current uncertainty surrounding the long-term health effects of MSWI exposure. While a slight indication of increased risk emerged for cardiovascular and respiratory hospitalizations, and a weak association with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was observed, overall evidence remains weak. Methodological limitations, heterogeneity across studies, and low exposure levels complicate risk assessment and comparability. Standardized, high-quality research is needed to clarify these associations and support evidence-based public health decisions and transparent communication with affected communities.

trial registrationThe protocol of this review was registered in PROSPERO on 02/06/2024 (CRD42024550168).

Indexed as

Environmental ExposureIncinerationSolid WasteHumansSolid WasteCardio-respiratory diseaseMeta-analysisMunicipal solid waste incineratorsNon-Hodgkin’s lymphomaResidential exposureSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40442661
PMCPMC12121063

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.