Exploring the Link Between Pollution and Central Nervous System Diseases
Published:
Project Description:
Neurodegeneration is a process that involves the loss of structure or function of neurons, and sometimes, the death of neurons. Many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and stroke, can arise from this process. The Central Nervous System (CNS) controls most of the body’s functions and the mind. As a result, CNS diseases and disorders can have a significant impact on individuals and society.
Particulate matter (PM) consists of microscopic particles of solid or liquid matter suspended in the air. These particles can originate from natural or human-caused sources and can impact the climate, precipitation, and human health. PM 2.5 refers to particulate matter with a size of 2.5 micrometers or less. Recent studies have suggested a possible link between pollution and CNS diseases.
In this project, our team investigates the potential connection between pollution, specifically PM 2.5, and CNS diseases across Italian provinces using data from the ISTAT database.
Project Outcomes:
We created a dashboard to present the results of our data analysis. The dashboard features three main sections:
Story Mode: This section provides insights into the distribution of CNS diseases and pollution in Italy. Visualization Section: Users can freely explore the data through interactive visualizations. Statistics Mode: Relevant statistics about the data are presented, such as correlations between CNS diseases and pollution levels, as well as regression results. Although our analysis did not confirm a clear link between CNS diseases and pollution across the Italian territory, this could be due to a genuine lack of connection or insufficient data to support it. Feel free to explore the dashboard and examine the most polluted cities in Italy, those with the highest prevalence of CNS diseases, and any potential relationships between the two.