title: Epidemiological health study of a town exposed to chemicals.
abstract: The purpose of this survey was to assess the health status of community residents exposed to a 16-day release of Catacarb from a nearby refinery and to document the prevalence rates of symptoms and illnesses of this town. The health status of the exposed residents was compared to that of unexposed residents of a demographically similar control town. An epidemiologic study design was used and questionnaires were mailed to all households in both towns. Response rate was 43%. Household cluster effects, gender, education, and race were controlled in the analysis. Questionnaire health data reveal increased reporting of symptoms in the exposed, specifically headaches, respiratory, visual, gastrointestinal, and dermatologic with odds ratios ranging between 1.3 and 3. Exposure relationships with increased symptoms and worsening of illnesses was found.
authors.affiliation: San Francisco State University, El Cerrito, California 94530, USA.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bowler
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ngo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hartney
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tager
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Midtling
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Huel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000506:poisoning; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D015386:Hazardous Substances