Medical costs and lost productivity from health conditions at volatile organic compound-contaminated Superfund sites

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · Environmental Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1006/enrs.1998.3845· OSTI ID:653165

Lybarger, J A; Spengler, R F; Brown, D R ^[1]; Lee, R; Vogt, D P ^[2]; Perhac, Jr, R M ^[3]

---

1. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA (United States). Div. of Health Studies
2. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
3. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)

This paper estimates the health costs at Superfund sites for conditions associated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water. Health conditions were identified from published literature and registry information as occurring at excess rates in VOC-exposed populations. These health conditions were: (1) some categories of birth defects, (2) urinary tract disorders, (3) diabetes, (4) eczema and skin conditions, (5) anemia, (6) speech and hearing impairments in children under 10 years of age, and (7) stroke. Excess rates were used to estimate the excess number of cases occurring among the total population living within one-half mile of 258 Superfund sites. These sites had evidence of completed human exposure pathways for VOCs in drinking water. For each type of medical condition, an individual`s expected medical costs, long-term care costs, and lost work time due to illness or premature mortality were estimated. Costs were calculated to be approximately $330 million per year, in the absence of any remediation or public health intervention programs. The results indicate the general magnitude of the economic burden associated with a limited number of contaminants at a portion of all Superfund sites, thus suggesting that the burden would be greater than that estimated in this study if all contaminants at all Superfund sites could be taken into account.

• Sponsoring Organization: Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC (United States)
• OSTI ID: 653165
• Journal Information: Environmental Research, Journal Name: Environmental Research Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 79; ISSN ENVRAL; ISSN 0013-9351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
COST
DRINKING WATER
ECONOMIC IMPACT
HEALTH HAZARDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
US SUPERFUND
VOLATILE MATTER
WATER POLLUTION