title: A follow-up study of the community near the McColl waste disposal site.
abstract: To assess the effect of interim clean-up measures on the current health of a community, we conducted a follow-up survey of 193 residents living near the McColl waste disposal site and a comparison area located approximately 5 miles from the site. Results from this survey were compared with results from a similar survey conducted 7 years earlier. Odors were detected at least once per week by 32.7% of "high-exposed" respondents in 1988 compared with 68.5% in 1981, but prevalence odds ratios (PORs) comparing symptom reporting between "high-exposed" and comparison-area respondents were greater than that of the 1981 survey for 89% of symptoms. PORs comparing symptom reporting between these two areas were greater than 2.0 for 64% of symptoms assessed in the current survey. Symptoms reported in excess did not represent a single organ system or suggest a mechanism of response. PORs comparing respondents who were very worried about the environment and those reporting no worry were greater than 2.0 for 86% of symptoms. These finding, along with environmental data from the area, suggest that living near the waste disposal site and being very worried about the environment, rather than a toxicologic effect of chemical from the site, explain excess symptom reporting found in this follow-up study.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology Branch, California Department of Health Services, Emeryville 94608.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lipscomb
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Satin
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Vance
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Neutra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004782:Environmental Health; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006256:Hazardous Waste / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006256:Hazardous Waste