CHAPTER THREE: CONDUCTING HEALTH STUDIES
diaries of residents living near the site, provided a useful method of assessing
this problem. The diaries provided a better method of recording effects by
reducing participants' recall bias and also provided a good opportunity for
community members to participate in the evaluation.
STUDIES WITH MULTIPLE HEALTH ENDPOINTS
TCE Subregistry Reports
The TCE Subregistry Baseline data file includes information collected on
4,986 persons (4,652 living, 334 deceased) with documented environmental
exposure to TCE who had resided in 15 areas in five states (three sites in
Michigan, four in Indiana, six in Illinois, one each in Pennsylvania and
Arizona). TCE registrants were exposed through drinking water from TCE-
contaminated private wells. The health outcome rates in the TCE Subregistry
Baseline, Follow-ups 1 and 2 data (for all sites), and Follow-up 3 (for Illinois,
Indiana, and Michigan) were compared with composite morbidity rates from
the 19891994 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), administered by the
National Center for Health Statistics.
Morbidity data analyses indicated TCE Subregistry registrants had an
increased reporting rate for several health outcomes, most of which were
consistent across data collection points. These health outcomes included
anemia, stroke, urinary tract disorders, kidney disorders, liver disease, and
skin rashes. However, because of small numbers, for some time periods a
change of one in the number of reports or in the sample size changed the level
of statistical significance.
Workers report liver disorders, hearing loss, chemical
poisoning
Hazardous Waste Worker Surveillance Project. Remediating hazardous
waste sites is a critical national priority involving increasing numbers of
workers. These workers are potentially exposed to high levels of complex
mixtures of chemical contaminants, as well as to physical hazards. In 1993,
ATSDR, in collaboration with the Laborers' Health and Safety Fund of North
America, established a health interview surveillance system to follow
prospectively a cohort of construction trade workers who had completed the
initial training course for hazardous waste workers required by the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The surveillance
project included workers trained at 18 centers nationwide. The purpose of the
surveillance system was to administer baseline and annual follow-up health
interviews to cohort members to detect trends and clusters of occupational
illnesses and injuries that are caused by, or associated with, hazardous waste
remediation work. Information will be used to guide intervention actions for
disease and injury prevention.
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