COMMUNITY EXPOSURE AND MEDICAL SCREENING NEAR CHROMIUM WASTE SITES INNEW-JERSEY

Chromium waste slag containing potentially hazardous levels of hexaval ent chromium was used as fill material at more than 160 residential, i ndustrial, and recreational sites. Persons living or working in the vi cinity of the sites may have been exposed through inhalation, ingestio n, or skin contact with contaminated soils and dusts. In 1992-1993, th e New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) and the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI) cond ucted a screening project to assess exposure to chromium and to provid e medical evaluations to people living in 14 residential areas or work ing in 78 workplaces near chromium waste sites. The screening included a physical examination for irritant or allergic effects and a urine c hromium test for recent exposure. Participants were referred for follo w-up medical evaluation if specific criteria were met. Of 800 resident s and 938 workers receiving the screening physical examination, 32 adu lts were referred for follow-up evaluation. Of 806 residents and 934 w orkers submitting a urine specimen for chromium analysis, 158 adults a nd children had levels exceeding specified criteria and were referred for followup evaluation. The proportion of persons referred on the bas is of the urine chromium test varied among screened groups. Multiple l inear regression models showed that average urine chromium differences between residents and a comparison group, adjusting for potential con founders, were highest in children under 6 years of age. Most of the p ersons undergoing the follow-up medical examinations revealed no appar ent clinical effects attributable to chromium exposure. The screening results indicated the need for expanded environmental evaluation in sp ecific residential areas and workplaces. (C) 1997 Academic Press.