A longitudinal study of the health impacts of a petroleum refinery

Emissions from a petroleum refinery in Oakville, Ont., have been the source of longstanding health concerns among residents in the surrounding communi ty. Between 1992 and 1997, the refinery implemented extensive odour reducti on measures through improvements in waste water treatment, in sulphur recov ery and combustion. In this paper, we present the main findings of a recent longitudinal analysis using data from community health surveys conducted i n 1992 and 1997, before and after implementation of the odour reduction pla n. The results show a decline in the frequency of odour perception and anno yance by residents whereas the reporting of cardinal and general symptoms a mong adults and children was virtually unchanged. Odour perception and anno yance were strongly related to symptom reporting ip both years supporting t he 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. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.