RESIDENTIAL PROXIMITY TO HAZARDOUS-WASTE SITES AND RISK OF END-STAGE RENAL-DISEASE

A case-control study was conducted to assess the potential association between end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and residential proximity to h azardous waste sites. Cases who developed ESRD in 1992 and 1993 were s elected from records of the Health Care Financing Administration. Cont rols were selected by random-digit dialing and matched to cases on age (+/-5 years), sex, and race. The geographic area studied comprised 20 counties in New York State. Information on residences, occupations, a nd health was collected by administering a questionnaire over the tele phone. Residential histories were assessed for potential exposures to hazardous waste sites. Latitudes and longitudes of the address were de termined using 1990 Bureau of the Census files and were compared with the locations of sites. After the exclusion of cases with diabetic, in fectious, or congenital ESRD, 216 case-control pairs were available fo r analysis. An elevated odds ratio (OR = 1.40, 95 percent confidence i nterval [CI]: 0.92-2.11) was found for having ever lived within a 1-mi le radius of a site and ESRD. After adjustment for gout, hypertension, and a family history of kidney disease the OR was also elevated (OR = 1.63, 95 percent CI: 0.87-3.03). Further studies are needed to determ ine whether living near hazardous waste sites increases the risk of ES RD and whether chemicals or other factors explain this association.