Epidemiologic Methods Lessons Learned from Environmental Public Health Disasters: Chernobyl, the World Trade Center, Bhopal, and Graniteville, South Carolina

Abstract

Background: Environmental public health disasters involving hazardous contaminants may have devastating effects. While much is known about their immediate devastation, far less is known about long-term impacts of these disasters. Extensive latent and chronic long-term public health effects may occur. Careful evaluation of contaminant exposures and long-term health outcomes within the constraints imposed by limited financial resources is essential. Methods: Here, we review epidemiologic methods lessons learned from conducting long-term evaluations of four environmental public health disasters involving hazardous contaminants at Chernobyl, the World Trade Center, Bhopal, and Graniteville (South Carolina, USA). Findings: We found several lessons learned which have direct implications for the on-going disaster recovery work following the Fukushima radiation disaster or for future disasters. Interpretation: These lessons should prove useful in understanding and mitigating latent health effects that may result from the nuclear reactor accident in Japan or future environmental public health disasters.

TRPA1: Acrolein meets its target

“…TRPA1 is activated by many other lethal chemical threats, including chlorine gas, currently used as a chemical weapon by the Syrian government, and methyl isocyanate (MIC), the toxicant released in the 1984 Bhopal industrial disaster in which >3700 exposure victims perished and many thousands more were injured (Dhara and Dhara, 2002; Svendsen et al, 2012; Padley, 2016). Exposures to these agents have effects similar to acrolein exposures, including irritation and severe pain, blepharospasm, choking, pulmonary edema, and cardiovascular damage that can result in circulatory collapse and death.…”

Emotional Consequences of Nuclear Power Plant Disasters

“…One benefit of continued monitoring and research on the mental and physical health of these three catastrophes is that the work itself symbolizes the long-term compassion and caring of investigators, including for future generations. Although longitudinal cohort studies with appropriate comparison groups will ultimately produce the most useful data on incident health consequences (Svendsen et al 2012), volunteer studies and convenience sampling designs (e.g., Ben-Ezra et al 2012, 2013; Kyutoku et al 2012; Palgi et al 2012) may also have a favorable effect on morale and provide clues for epidemiologic research to pursue.…”

Summary on the Charleston Area Pollution Prevention Partnership Environmental Justice Conference and Summit

“…These two studies use of CBPR, stakeholder engagement including engagement of economic development groups and the medical community, and mixed methods including Photovoice, interviews, lung epidemiology, and secondary data analysis have been instrumental in understanding environmental health problems in Graniteville and contribute to long-term recovery efforts post-disaster. [24][25][26] And in Orangeburg, SC, the local Community Health Center in conjunction with the University of South Carolina and local farmers started a farmer's market and produced a documentary film to chronicle the development process and the impact on residents. [26][27][28] The project's success led to a state legislature decision to match voucher subsidies to shoppers.…”