No abstract

The accidental introduction of the fire retardant polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) into the food chain of Michigan in 1973 provides an example of an insidious, slowly developing, and still continuing technological catastrophe. Hartsough's transactional model of natural disasters is utilized to provide a conceptual framework to describe the psychological effects of the PBB crisis. Following this model, the event (toxic chemicals within the food chain) led to the quarantine of 576 farms, destruction of millions of animals and dairy products, and losses in the range of $100–$200 million. Appraisal was slow and continued for years. Stresses were created both by the event and by public response to the event. Traditional community systems provided little assistance in coping, and political action was required before services were provided. In spite of a high prevalence of depressive symptoms and somatic complaints, research results regarding psychological and physical effects of PBB poisoning have been equivocal and, at times, contradictory. Hartsough's model points to possible intervention points that may have improved the response to the event and yielded fewer negative outcomes for the victims. Suggestions are offered to improve the model for application to future technological catastrophes.