Geographical distribution of acute symptoms after a train collision involving epichlorohydrin exposure.
In September 2002, two freight trains collided in a northern German town. The inhabitants were potentially exposed to the probable human carcinogen epichlorohydrin. As no objective data on the level of exposure were available, we aimed to assess the geographical distribution of acute symptoms among local residents and subjects occupationally involved in the accident (e.g., firemen). A random sample of 932 adult local residents and 342 occupationally involved subjects were invited to answer a mail-in questionnaire. The main outcome measures were self-reported acute symptoms potentially associated with combustion products (e.g., irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat) and stress-related nonspecific symptoms. The main location during the first 26 h after the accident served as exposure proxy. For occupationally involved subjects, the time spent at the accident site was also used. The overall prevalence of symptoms potentially associated with combustion products was 9.8% for residents and 25.4% for occupationally involved subjects. After adjustment, subjects whose main location was close to the accident site had an increased risk for such symptoms. Among occupationally involved subjects the risk increased with duration at the accident site. Neither main location nor time at the accident site was significantly associated with non-specific symptoms. We could provide an example for designing and carrying out an epidemiologic study shortly after a local accident with potential public health impact. We could define parts of the population at increased risk for symptoms potentially specific for the exposure under study.
Unit for Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology & Net Teaching, Institute for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. Katja.Radon@med.uni-muenchen.de
Katja
K
Radon
Armin
A
Rosenberger
Vera
V
Ehrenstein
Michael
M
Hoopmann
Imke
I
Basting
Helga
H
Tödt
Jörg
J
Reichert
Holger
H
Dressel
Martina
M
Schmid
Roland
R
Suchenwirth
Dennis
D
Nowak
D000059:Accidents; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004811:Epichlorohydrin / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011890:Railroads; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015386:Hazardous Substances; D004811:Epichlorohydrin