A review of the effects of hazardous waste on reproductive health.
Approximately 1 in 4 Americans lives within 4 miles of a hazardous waste site according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In light of this large proportion and the public's high level of concern that hazardous waste causes health problems, it is important for primary care physicians and other health care providers to know that residential proximity to some kinds of hazardous waste sites is associated with adverse reproductive effects. Findings from both state-based surveillance programs and studies of individual hazardous waste sites have shown increased risk of congenital malformations and reductions in birth weight among infants born to parents living near hazardous waste sites. This article summarizes salient literature on human health effects of hazardous waste and suggests actions for primary care providers to consider.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Public Health Service, US Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA, USA.
B L
BL
Johnson
D002170:Canada; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006256:Hazardous Waste / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction; D014481:United States
D006256:Hazardous Waste