Recorded presentation

Mark Mitchell, MD, MPH¹, Victor S. Edgerton, MPH, MEM², Robert VanCott, BA², and John A. Stewart, PhD³. (1) Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice, P.O. Box 2022, Hartford, CT 06145-2022, (2) No Affiliation, 21 Avon St, New Haven, CT 06511, 203-787-1030, vic.edgerton@aya.yale.edu, (3) Sociology Department, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117

Presentation will review results of a 1998 Hartford, Connecticut community-based participatory health study that was initiated to investigate anecdotal reports of elevated rates of respiratory problems thought to be related to air pollution exposure. The area is 18.4 square mile, 38% Black, 41% Latino/a and lies in the immediate proximity of a large municipal waste incinerator and over 20 air pollution sources identified from the US EPA 1999 National Emissions Inventory (EI). The EI point source data for SO2, NOx, VOC, PM10, and PM2.5 were distributed in 16 directions around the source using a simple dispersion model, which diluted each pollutant downwind based on local wind conditions. At each residence, pollution concentrations were estimated by summing each pollutant from all sources and then correlated these estimated pollutant concentrations with reported health problems. After adjusting for several potential confounders, including the prevalence of asthma, allergies or other lung problems, a multiple logistic regression model found the sulfur dioxides correlated significantly with reporting a cough or sore throat that lasted for more than two consecutive weeks. Common colds do not normally last longer than 10 days. Asthma and other lung problems were significantly associated with several pollutants, even when most confounders were included in the model. Results suggest localized pollution sources may burden Hartford residents with both chronic and acute respiratory problems.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Help design a study linking air pollution to respiratory problems in a setting with a small sample size and
• Use publicly available data for exposure assessment.

Keywords: Asthma, Air Pollutants

Related Web page: www.environmental-justice.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation