Abstract

OCAMPO, Carmen Elisa; PRADILLA, Alberto  and  MENDEZ, Fabián. Impact of a waste disposal site on children physical growth. Colomb. Med. [online]. 2008, vol.39, n.3, pp.253-259. ISSN 1657-9534.

Background: Several epidemiological studies have shown an increased risk of health problems among population living close to landfills. We evaluated the impact of a municipal solid waste disposal site on children’s growth between 0-3 years of age. Methods: Children were selected in sites likely to receive dispersion of air compounds from the waste disposal site and also in a control area, in Cali, Colombia, in 2005. Anthropometric measures were obtained at enrollment and in two follow-up visits at 3 months intervals to obtain standardized z scores of weight for height (WHZ) and height for age (HAZ). In addition, questionnaires including information of socio-economical conditions and morbidity were applied at enrolment and during follow-up visits. Results: Children exposed had on average 0.16 less standard deviations (SD) in WHZ scores when compared to control group (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: -0.34, 0.01). Among those who have lived >50% of their life in the study area, a significantly lower HAZ score was observed (-0.12) associated with exposure. Our data also suggest a larger effect of exposure to the waste disposal site in WHZ among children with symptoms of respiratory disease than among asymptomatic children (p=0.08). Conclusions: Exposure to this waste disposal site was found associated with lower children’s growth indexes.

Keywords : Solid waste; Landfill site; Growth; Environment and public health.

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