Factors associated with severity of injury resulting from acute releases of hazardous substances in the manufacturing industry.
Data from the Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance system was used to identify factors associated with the severity of injuries of victims (an ordinal outcome variable) harmed in acute chemical release events in the manufacturing industry. We used proportional odds models to account for the order of severity in the outcome, with the general estimation equation. There were 659 events involving 2826 victims. More severe injuries were associated with explosion (adjusted OR aOR = 6.45), multiple chemicals (aOR = 1.75), multiple chemical categories (aOR = 1.70), the chemical group acids (aOR = 1.6), multiple injuries to an individual (aOR = 1.38-1.56) (ranges represent several models), confinement within a structure in a fixed facility (aOR = 1.76-1.90), and being located in the midwest region (aOR = 1.76-1.90). The summer was less likely than all other seasons to be associated with more severe outcome. The results provide information beneficial for preventive activities.
Berkowitz
Zahava
Z
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Division of Health Studies, Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-31, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. zah3@cdc.com
Barnhart
Huiman X
HX
Kaye
Wendy E
WE
D019652:Extraction and Processing Industry; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D000078329:Workforce; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology
D015386:Hazardous Substances