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A longitudinal study of the health impacts of a petroleum refinery

Author

Listed:
  • Luginaah, Isaac N.
  • Taylor, S. Martin
  • Elliott, Susan J.
  • Eyles, John D.

Abstract

Emissions from a petroleum refinery in Oakville, Ont., have been the source of longstanding health concerns among residents in the surrounding community. Between 1992 and 1997, the refinery implemented extensive odour reduction measures through improvements in waste water treatment, in sulphur recovery and combustion. In this paper, we present the main findings of a recent longitudinal analysis using data from community health surveys conducted in 1992 and 1997, before and after implementation of the odour reduction plan. The results show a decline in the frequency of odour perception and annoyance by residents whereas the reporting of cardinal and general symptoms among adults and children was virtually unchanged. Odour perception and annoyance were strongly related to symptom reporting in both years supporting the hypothesis that the effect of refinery emissions on residents' health is odour mediated. The findings extend our understanding of the psychosocial basis of symptom reporting in the vicinity of refineries.

Suggested Citation

  • Luginaah, Isaac N. & Taylor, S. Martin & Elliott, Susan J. & Eyles, John D., 2000. "A longitudinal study of the health impacts of a petroleum refinery," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 50(7-8), pages 1155-1166, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:50:y:2000:i:7-8:p:1155-1166
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Magda Brattoli & Antonio Mazzone & Roberto Giua & Giorgio Assennato & Gianluigi De Gennaro, 2016. "Automated Collection of Real-Time Alerts of Citizens as a Useful Tool to Continuously Monitor Malodorous Emissions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-11, February.
    2. Tor H. Oiamo & Isaac N. Luginaah, 2013. "Extricating Sex and Gender in Air Pollution Research: A Community-Based Study on Cardinal Symptoms of Exposure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Wesley S. Burr & Robert Dales & Ling Liu & Dave Stieb & Marc Smith-Doiron & Branka Jovic & Lisa Marie Kauri & Hwashin Hyun Shin, 2018. "The Oakville Oil Refinery Closure and Its Influence on Local Hospitalizations: A Natural Experiment on Sulfur Dioxide," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-14, September.
    4. Gösta Axelsson & Leo Stockfelt & Eva Andersson & Anita Gidlof-Gunnarsson & Gerd Sallsten & Lars Barregard, 2013. "Annoyance and Worry in a Petrochemical Industrial Area—Prevalence, Time Trends and Risk Indicators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-21, April.
    5. Jerome Nriagu & Emilia A. Udofia & Ibanga Ekong & Godwin Ebuk, 2016. "Health Risks Associated with Oil Pollution in the Niger Delta, Nigeria," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-23, March.
    6. Malcolm P. Cutchin & Kathryn Remmes Martin & Steven V. Owen & James S. Goodwin, 2008. "Concern About Petrochemical Health Risk Before and After a Refinery Explosion," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(3), pages 589-601, June.
    7. Miguel Ángel López-Navarro & Jaume Llorens-Monzonís & Vicente Tortosa-Edo, 2013. "The Effect of Social Trust on Citizens’ Health Risk Perception in the Context of a Petrochemical Industrial Complex," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, January.

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