Self reported health of people in an area contaminated by chromium waste: interview study

Objectives To compare the self reported health of a group of individuals li ving in an area contaminated by chromium (chromium group) wtih a group livi ng in an uncontaminated area (control group), and to assess the effects of perception of risk from exposure to chromium ori health. Design Cross sectional study using the SF-36 validated quality of life ques tionnaire. Further questions were added to examine the relations between pe rceptions about living on or near land contaminated with chromium and the e ffects on self reported health. Setting An area contaminated with chromium (Cambuslang, Carmyle, and Ruther glen) and a control area (Barrmulloch and Pollok). Participants Residents of an area containing chromium landfill and resident s of an uncontaminated control area. Main outcome measures Scores on SF-36. Results Little difference was found in health scores between the two groups , and only for general health was there a significantly higher score in the chromium group. Health scores for the chromium group were significantly wo rse across all dimensions for chose who believed that chromium adversely af fected health. Most of the chromium group (68%) would prefer money to be sp ent on improving amenities rather than on chromium remediation. Conclusions Similar self reported health among residents of the chromium an d control groups indicates that there is no evidence of harm to health from exposure to chromium in this setting. Noticeably lower scores in participa nts who believed chromium to be harmful to health point to the potential im portance of perception and possible anxiety. Given the overall greater desi re for better amenities rather than remedial action, policy makers and plan ners should discuss with residents how best to spend resources before insti gating expensive cleaning up programmes.