Chromosomal congenital anomalies and residence near hazardous waste landfill sites

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition) 2002-01, Vol.359 (9303), p.320-322
• Main Authors: Vrijheid, M, Dolk, H, Armstrong, B, Abramsky, L, Bianchi, F, Fazarinc, I, Garne, E, Ide, R, Nelen, V, Robert, E, Scott, JES, Stone, D, Tenconi, R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced - epidemiology; Abnormalities, Drug-Induced - genetics; Age; Bias; Biological and medical sciences; Births; Chromosome Aberrations - chemically induced; Chromosome Aberrations - embryology; Chromosome Aberrations - statistics & numerical data; Congenital anomalies; Congenital defects; Data collection; Down Syndrome - chemically induced; Down Syndrome - epidemiology; Down Syndrome - genetics; Europe - epidemiology; Female; General aspects; Genetics; Hazardous materials; Hazardous Waste - adverse effects; Hazardous waste sites; Hazardous wastes; Health hazards; Health risk assessment; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Landfill; Landfills; Male; Medical sciences; Odds Ratio; Planification. Prevention (methods). Intervention. Evaluation; Pregnancy; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Ratios; Risk; Risk Assessment; Socioeconomic factors; Socioeconomics; Styrene; Waste disposal sites
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(02)07531-1

Previous findings of the EUROHAZCON study showed a 33% increase in risk of non-chromosomal anomalies near hazardous waste landfill sites. Here, we studied 245 cases of chromosomal anomalies and 2412 controls who lived near 23 such sites in Europe. After adjustment for confounding by maternal age and socioeconomic status, we noted a higher risk of chromosomal anomalies in people who lived close to sites (0–3 km) than in those who lived further away (3–7 km; odds ratio 1·41, 95% CI 1·00–1·99). Our results suggest an increase in risk of chromosomal anomalies similar to that found for non-chromosomal anomalies.