title: An enquiry into the respiratory health effects on a rural community of a soil mound erected close to residential property.
abstract: The health concerns of a rural community were investigated following the erection of a soil mound in close proximity to residential property. Retrospective comparisons were made of respiratory and non-respiratory consultations with general practitioners between the exposed population and a sociodemographically similar comparison population. A 2-year period was examined, 1 year before and 1 year after the mound was erected. In the 1-year period prior to erection of the mound, similar consultation rates for both respiratory and non-respiratory conditions were observed in both populations. In the 1-year period following erection of the mound, the exposed population was more likely to consult for respiratory conditions than the comparison population (OR=4.10, 95% CI 2.26-7.44). No differences were observed for non-respiratory conditions. We identified a significant increase in respiratory consultations in the exposed population following erection of the soil mound. Limitations associated with this type of study should be considered when interpreting the results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Health Policy, South Staffordshire Health Authority, Stafford, South Staffordshire, UK. babatunde.olowokure@hpa.org.uk
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olowokure
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Wardle
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beaumont
authors.forename: H V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Duggal
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004391:Dust; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012423:Rural Health; D012987:Soil; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D012987:Soil