Subject: WEB SITE - POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF ODORS FROM CAFOS, etc

----- Forwarded by Paula Carrell/Sierraclub on 08/21/2001 09:50 AM -----


This website is a summary of the report by Susan Schiffman, Duke University
and Dr. John Walker, US EPA, lead authors -- which was published in the
Nov. 2000 Journal of AgroMedicine.
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> http://www.penweb.org/issues/sludge/health-odor.htm
>
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Potential Health Effects of Odor From Animal Operations, Wastewater
Treatment, and Recycling of Byproducts

Susan S. Schiffman, PhD, Duke University, NC
John M. Walker, PhD, US EPA, Office of Water (sludge office)
Pam Dalton, PhD
Tyler S. Lorig, PhD
James H. Raymer, PhD
Dennis Shusterman, MD
C. Mike Williams, PhD

ABSTRACT. Complaints of health symptoms from ambient odors have become more
frequent in communities with confined animal facilities, wastewater
treatment plants, AND BIOSOLIDS RECYCLING OPERATIONS.

The most frequently reported health complaints include eye, nose, and throat
irritation, headache, nausea, diarrhea, hoarseness, sore throat, cough,
chest tightness, nasal congestion, palpitations, shortness of breath,
stress, drowsiness, and alterations in mood.

Typically, these symptoms occur at the time of exposure and remit after a
short period of time. However, for sensitive individuals such as asthmatic
patients, exposure to odors may induce health symptoms that persist for
longer periods of time as well as aggravate existing medical conditions.

A workshop was held at Duke University on April 16-17, 1998 cosponsored by
Duke University, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and National
Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) to assess
the current state of knowledge regarding the health effects of ambient
odors.

This report summarizes the conclusions from the Workshop regarding the
potential mechanisms responsible for health symptoms from ambient odors.
Methods for validation of health symptoms, presence of odor, and efficacy of
odor management techniques are described as well.

PAGES 57 - 58    -    FINAL COMMENTS

Our current state of knowledge clearly suggests that it is possible for
odorous emissions from animal operations, wastewater treatment and recycling
of biosolids to have an impact on physical health.

The most frequently reported symptoms attributed to odors include eye, nose,
and throat irritation, headache, nausea, hoarseness, cough, nasal
congestion, palpitations, shortness of breath, stress, drowsiness, and
alterations in mood.

Many of these symptoms (especially irritation, headache, hoarseness, cough,
nasal congestion, and shortness of breath) can be caused by stimulation of
the trigeminal nerve in the nose at elevated levels of odorous VOCs.

Co-pollutants in an odorous plume may also play a role. A genetic basis for
some odor aversions may be the basis for complains from unpleasant but
nonirritating odors; unpleasant odors have been shown to activate different
brain areas than pleasant ones.

(Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery
Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address:   [log in to unmask]
Website: http://www.HaworthPress.com

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