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01-12-2020 | Bronchitis | Original Paper

The Ramapough Lunaape Nation: Facing Health Impacts Associated with Proximity to a Superfund Site

Authors: Gabriella Meltzer, Oyemwenosa Avenbuan, Fen Wu, Krina Shah, Yu Chen, Vincent Mann, Judith T. Zelikoff

Published in: Journal of Community Health | Issue 6/2020

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate self-reported exposure to the Ringwood Mines/Landfill Superfund Site in relation to chronic health outcomes among members of the Ramapough Lunaape Turtle Clan nation and other local residents of Ringwood, New Jersey. Community surveys on personal exposure to the nearby Superfund site, self-reported health conditions, and demographics were conducted with 187 members of the Ramapough Lunaape Turtle Clan Nation and non-Native Americans residing in Ringwood, New Jersey from December 2015 to October 2016. Multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the association between ethnicity and a Superfund site exposure score developed for this study, as well as between exposure score and several chronic health conditions. Native Americans were 13.84 times (OR 13.84; 95% CI 4.32, 44.37) more likely to face exposure opportunities to Superfund sites as compared to non-Native Americans in the same New Jersey borough. For the entire surveyed cohort, increased Superfund site exposure routes was significantly associated with bronchitis (OR 4.10; 95% CI 1.18, 14.23). When the analyses were restricted to Native Americans, the association between self-reported Superfund site exposure and bronchitis remained significant (OR 17.42; 95% CI 1.99, 152.45). Moreover, the association between greater exposure score and asthma in this same population also reached statistical significance (OR 6.16; 95% CI 1.38, 27.49). This pilot study demonstrated a significant association between being a Ringwood resident of Native American ethnicity and self-declared opportunities for Superfund site exposure. It also showed a strong association between self-reported Superfund site exposure and the prevalence of bronchitis and asthma.

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Title: The Ramapough Lunaape Nation: Facing Health Impacts Associated with Proximity to a Superfund Site
Authors: Gabriella Meltzer
Oyemwenosa Avenbuan
Fen Wu
Krina Shah
Yu Chen
Vincent Mann
Judith T. Zelikoff
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Keyword: Bronchitis
Published in: Journal of Community Health / Issue 6/2020
Print ISSN: 0094-5145
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3610
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-020-00848-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The Ramapough Lunaape Nation: Facing Health Impacts Associated with Proximity to a Superfund Site

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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