Degree Name
MSEH (Master of Science in Environmental Health)
Program
Environmental Health
Date of Award
12-2003
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Phillip R. Scheuerman
Committee Members
JoAnne Walker Flowers, Vincent Sikora
Abstract
The Saltville Waste Disposal Site is a National Priority List site used during the 77- year operation (1895–1972) of an electrolytic chlorine and caustic soda plant. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine disease prevalence among Saltville Medical Center (SMC) patients. Diseases associated with chronic exposures to mercury, arsenic, and lead were reviewed in patient records and these data were analyzed. Ratios of illness observed at the SMC were compared to health studies of similar environmental exposures and disease prevalence among residents of neighboring communities. Prevalence ratios were calculated for residents and non-residents of Saltville who were SMC patients. Saltville residence accounted for a higher risk of developing the targeted diseases (odds ratio=1.68, 95% confidence interval (1.54, 1.82)). Increased risk was among patients aged 31-45 years; with a history of smoking; and family history of the same disease.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Haywood, Danette, "Survey of Health Effects among Residents Adjacent to a National Priority List Site in Ssouthwest Virginia." (2003). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 852. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/852
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.