Increased Rate of Hospitalization for Diabetes and Residential Proximity of Hazardous Waste Sites

摘要

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies suggest that there may be an association between environmental exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and diabetes.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that residential proximity to POP-contaminated waste sites result in increased rates of hospitalization for diabetes.METHODS: We determined the number of hospitalized patients 25-74 years of age diagnosed with diabetes in New York State exclusive of New York City for the years 1993-2000.Descriptive statistics and negative binomial regression were used to compare diabetes hospitalization rates in individuals who resided in ZIP codes containing or abutting hazardous waste sites containing POPs ("POP" sites);ZIP codes containing hazardous waste sites but with wastes other than POPs ("other" sites);and ZIP codes without any identified hazardous waste sites ("clean" sites).RESULTS: Compared with the hospitalization rates for diabetes in clean sites,the rate ratios for diabetes discharges for people residing in POP sites and "other" sites,after adjustment for potential confounders were 1.23 [95% confidence interval (CI),1.15-1.32] and 1.25 (95% CI,1.16-1.34),respectively.In a subset of POP sites along the Hudson River,where there is higher income,less smoking,better diet,and more exercise,the rate ratio was 1.36 (95% CI,1.26-1.47) compared to clean sites.CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for major confounders,we found a statistically significant increase in the rate of hospitalization for diabetes among the population residing in the ZIP codes containing toxic waste sites.