Health symptoms among adults living near a coal-burning power plant |
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| Authors: | K. M. Zierold A. N. Hagemeyer C. G. Sears |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA;2. kzierold@uab.edu;4. University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA;5. Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA |
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| Abstract: | AbstractCoal ash is a waste product generated when coal is burned for energy. The purpose of this study was to assess health symptoms in adults living near a coal-burning power plant and compare the symptoms to a non-exposed population. A community-based mixed methods study was conducted with four neighborhoods adjacent to a coal-burning power plant. The comparison population was not exposed to coal ash and did not live near a coal-burning power plant. Adults who lived near the coal-burning power plant were significantly more likely to suffer from respiratory (AOR = 5.27, 95% CI = 2.16–12.0), gingiva (AOR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.46–4.15), and skin symptoms (AOR = 3.37, 95% CI = 2.09–5.43). Results suggest that health symptoms may develop in people living near coal-burning power plants. |
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| Keywords: | Air pollution coal ash coal burning power plants gingiva heavy metal exposure respiratory skin |
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