Cesium-137 Contaminated Roads and Health Problems in Residents: an Epidemiological Investigation in Seoul, 2011
Journal of Korean Medical Science
; : e58-2018.
Article
in En
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-764918
Responsible library:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In 2011, two roads in a residential area in Seoul were found to be contaminated with the radionuclide cesium-137 (137Cs). In response to public concerns, an epidemiological study was conducted. METHODS: The standardized cancer incidence ratios in the affected and neighboring regions were calculated based on the central cancer registry. Households in the region were sampled using the random stratified sampling technique, and questionnaires were administered to family members, via home visit and via students in elementary to high schools. Information on duration of residency and frequency of use of the roads was applied to calculate cumulative radiation exposure dose from the roads, alongside with the reported 137Cs contamination amounts. Information on past medical history, perceived risk, anxiety and psychological stress was also obtained. Of the 31,053 residents, 8,875 were analyzed. To examine possible associations between radiation exposure and health problems, logistic regression adjusted for covariates were performed with consideration of the sampling design, population weight and stratification. RESULTS: No significant association was found between self-informed diseases, including cancers, and estimated radiation exposure dose. According to an increase of radiation level, a significant increase in anxiety in all and a decline in the psychosocial wellbeing of the adults was noted. The risk perception level was higher in the elderly, females, the less educated, and the highest exposed individuals. CONCLUSION: This study provides a basis for risk communication with residents and community environmental health policy.
Key words
Full text:
1
Database:
WPRIM
Main subject:
Anxiety
/
Stress, Psychological
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Epidemiologic Studies
/
Logistic Models
/
Family Characteristics
/
Environmental Health
/
Incidence
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Radiation Exposure
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Seoul
/
House Calls
Type of study:
Incidence_studies
/
Observational_studies
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Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
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Female
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
Journal of Korean Medical Science
Year:
2018
Document type:
Article