Risk of Adverse Reproductive Outcomes Associated with Proximity to Municipal Solid Waste Incinerators with High Dioxin Emission Levels in Japan

DOI Web Site PubMed 1 Citations 48 References
  • Tango Toshiro
    Department of Technology Assessment and Biostatistics, National Institute of Public Health
  • Fujita Toshiharu
    Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health
  • Tanihata Takeo
    Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health
  • Minowa Masumi
    Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health
  • Doi Yuriko
    Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health
  • Kato Noriko
    Department of Health Promotion and Research, National Institute of Public Health
  • Kunikane Shoichi
    Department of Water Supply Engineering, National Institute of Public Health
  • Uchiyama Iwao
    Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University
  • Tanaka Masaru
    Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University
  • Uehata Tetsunojo
    Faculty of Humanities, Seitoku University

Search this article

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Great public concern about health effects of dioxins emitted from municipal solid waste incinerators has increased in Japan. This paper investigates the association of adverse reproductive outcomes with maternal residential proximity to municipal solid waste incinerators.<br>METHODS: The association of adverse reproductive outcomes with mothers living within 10 km from 63 municipal solid waste incinerators with high dioxin emission levels (above 80 ng international toxic equivalents TEQ/m3) in Japan was examined. The numbers of observed cases were compared with the expected numbers calculated from national rates adjusted regionally. Observed/expected ratios were tested for decline in risk or peak-decline in risk with distance up to 10 km.<br>RESULTS: In the study area within 10 km from the 63 municipal solid waste incinerators in 1997-1998, 225, 215 live births, 3, 387 fetal deaths, and 835 infant deaths were confirmed. None of the reproductive outcomes studied here showed statistically significant excess within 2 km from the incinerators. However, a statistically significant peak-decline in risk with distance from the incinerators up to 10 km was found for infant deaths (p=0.023) and infant deaths with all congenital malformations combined (p=0.047), where a “peak” is detected around 1-2 km.<br>CONCLUSION: Our study shows a peak-decline in risk with distance from the municipal solid waste incinerators for infant of deaths and infant deaths with all congenital malformations combined. However, due to the lack of detailed exposure information to dioxins around the incinerators, the observed trend in risk should be interpreted cautiously and there is a need for further investigation to accumulate good evidence regarding the reproductive health effects of waste incinerator exposure.

Journal

Citations (1)*help

See more

References(48)*help

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top