The south Karelia air pollution study: Effects of low-level expsoure to malodorous sulfur compounds on symptoms

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Archives of Environmental Health

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00039896.1996.9936031· OSTI ID:518236

Partti-Pellinen, K; Marttila, O ^[1]; Vilkka, V ^[2]; Jaakkola, J J ^[3]

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1. South Karelia Allergy and Environment Inst., Tiuruniemi (Finland)
2. South Karelia Central Hospital, Lappeenranta (Finland)
3. Univ. of Helsinki (Finland)

Exposure to very low levels of ambient-air malodorous sulfur compounds and their effect on eye irritation, respiratory-tract symptoms, and central nervous system symptoms in adults were assessed. A cross-sectional self-administered questionnaire (response rate = 77%) was distributed during March and April 1992 to adults (n = 336) who lived in a neighborhood that contained a pulp mill and in a nonpolluted reference community (n = 380). In the exposed community, the measured annual mean concentrations of total reduced sulfur compounds and sulfur dioxide measured in two stations were 2 to 3 {mu}g/m{sup 3} and 1 {mu}g/m{sup 3}, respectively. In the reference community, the annual mean concentration of sulfur dioxide was 1 {mu}g/m{sup 3}. The residents of the community near the pulp mill reported an excess of cough, respiratory infections, and headache during the previous 4 wk, as well as during the preceding 12 mo. The relative risk for headache was increased significantly in the exposed community, compared with the reference area: the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was 1.83 (95% confidence interval [95% Cl] = 1.06-3.15) during the previous 4 wk and 1.70 (95% Cl = 1.05-2.73) during the preceding 12 mo. The relative risk for cough was also increased during the preceding 12 mo (aOR = 1.64, 95% Cl = 1.01-2.64). These results indicated that adverse health effects of malodorous sulfur compounds occur at lower concentrations than reported previously. 25 refs., 3 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 518236
• Journal Information: Archives of Environmental Health, Journal Name: Archives of Environmental Health Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 51; ISSN 0003-9896; ISSN AEHLAU
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
ADULTS
AIR POLLUTION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
EYES
HEALTH HAZARDS
INHALATION
INTAKE
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SYMPTOMS