TY - JOUR
T1 - Potential for effects of land contamination on human health. 2. The case of waste disposal sites
AU - Kah, Melanie
AU - Levy, Len
AU - Brown, Colin David
PY - 2012/11/28
Y1 - 2012/11/28
N2 - This review of the epidemiological literature shows that there is no compelling evidence for negative impacts of land contaminated by waste disposal on human health. However, the potential for health impacts cannot be dismissed. Several recent multiple-site studies support a plausible linkage between residence near waste disposal sites and reproductive effects (including congenital anomalies and low birth weight). There is some conflict in the literature investigating links between land contamination and cancers; the evidence for and against a link is equally balanced and is insufficient to demonstrate causal inferences. Those are difficult to establish because of possible biases from incomplete case ascertainment, lack of data on individual-level exposures, and other socioeconomic and lifestyle factors that may confound a relationship with area of residence. Further insights on health effects of land contamination are likely to be gained from studies that consider exposure pathways and biomarkers of exposure and effect, similarly those deployed with some success in investigating impacts of cadmium on human health.
AB - This review of the epidemiological literature shows that there is no compelling evidence for negative impacts of land contaminated by waste disposal on human health. However, the potential for health impacts cannot be dismissed. Several recent multiple-site studies support a plausible linkage between residence near waste disposal sites and reproductive effects (including congenital anomalies and low birth weight). There is some conflict in the literature investigating links between land contamination and cancers; the evidence for and against a link is equally balanced and is insufficient to demonstrate causal inferences. Those are difficult to establish because of possible biases from incomplete case ascertainment, lack of data on individual-level exposures, and other socioeconomic and lifestyle factors that may confound a relationship with area of residence. Further insights on health effects of land contamination are likely to be gained from studies that consider exposure pathways and biomarkers of exposure and effect, similarly those deployed with some success in investigating impacts of cadmium on human health.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84871340894&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/10937404.2012.736855
DO - 10.1080/10937404.2012.736855
M3 - Literature review
SN - 1093-7404
VL - 15
SP - 441
EP - 467
JO - Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B: Critical Reviews
JF - Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B: Critical Reviews
IS - 7
ER -