How living near a landfill can be harmful to health, especially for children
Strong link found between exposure to hydrogen sulphide gas from living within 5km of a dump and higher rates of lung cancer and respiratory illness
How living near a landfill could damange our health
Living within 5km of a landfill site could put your health at risk, according to a study by researchers in Italy published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
The scientists evaluated the potential health effects of living near nine different landfills in the Lazio region, and therefore being exposed to air pollutants emitted by the waste treatment plants. More than 242,400 people were enrolled in the study cohort from 1996 to 2008. The results showed a strong association between hydrogen sulphide (one of the gases emitted by landfills) and deaths caused by lung cancer, as well as deaths and hospitalisations for respiratory diseases. The results were especially prominent in children.
Consistent with other studies, respiratory symptoms were detected among residents living close to waste sites. These were linked to inhalation exposure to endotoxins, microorganisms, and aerosols from waste collection and land filling. People living close to large landfills in Rome had average annual exposure to hydrogen sulphide of 45 nanograms per cubic metre, compared with annual average exposure levels among the general population of 6.3 nanograms per cubic metre.
Women may be able to reduce breast cancer risk predicted by their genes
