S. Martin Taylor

Modelling psychosocial effects of exposure to solid waste facilities

A parallel case study design was used to investigate psychosocial effects in populations exposed to solid waste facilities. Psychosocial effects were defined as a complex of distress, dysfunction and disability, manifested in a range of psychological, social and behavioural outcomes, as a consequence of actual or perceived environmental contamination. This paper presents the results of logistic regression analyses designed to identify determinants of psychosocial effects of exposure. The data come from an epidemiologic survey of residents (N = 696) living within a prescribed radius from each of three solid waste facilities in southern Ontario. The analytical model has three main components: external variables (e.g. individual and exposure-related variables); mediating variables (e.g. social network membership and involvement, general health status measures); and outcome variables (e.g. concern, effects and actions). Results for a series of site specific analyses show that outcome measures can be successfully explained by a combination of external and mediating factors. In general, variables from each of the three main components enter the concern-related models while the action models are clearly dominated by social network variables. Analyses using data from all three sites indicate the explanatory power of site-related characteristics. However, given the number and diversity of variables in the models, there is no support for a simple cause and effect relationship. The implication is that strategies aimed to address and alleviate psychosocial effects need to be specific to the characteristics of the populations in particular settings.

Psychosocial impacts in populations exposed to solid waste facilities

This interdisciplinary study uses a parallel case study design to investigate psychosocial impacts in populations exposed to three solid waste facilities in Southern Ontario. Impacts are examined at three social scales: individual, social network and community levels. The objectives and design derive from a feasibility study recently completed by the same research team. A two stage approach is adopted. The first is an epidemiologic survey to determine the prevalence of psychosocial impacts in the populations within a prescribed area around each site. A disproportionate stratified (by distance) random sample of 250 households is surveyed at each site. Data on awareness, knowledge, concern and action regarding the site are also obtained. Scores on pre-validated health measurement scales will be compared with population norms to determine the frequency distribution above, within and below the range of normal. The second stage involves the use of qualitative methodologies to provide an in-depth analysis of the individual, social network and community level factors affecting psychosocial impacts and reactions to the situation. Depth interviews with a sub-sample of survey respondents explore individual perceptions, attitudes and actions. Focus groups composed of members of relevant organizations and discussion groups comprising non-members uncover social network and community perspectives in an interactional setting. Interviews and group sessions are taped and transcribed for content analysis of salient themes. Textual analysis of media reports and other relevant documentation provide insights regarding the informational environment and the community context of the issues.

Direct comparison of community response to road traffic noise and to aircraft noise

Previous efforts to synthesize information on community responses to various noise sources have been forced to rely on a variety of surveys conducted in different countries over a number of years. Comparability of both the noise measurements and the questions asked has been limited, and has of necessity relied on professional judgment. Data collected recently around Toronto International Airport provide a direct comparison of response to two sources, based on 673 interviews of persons exposed to a variety of levels of both aircraft and road traffic noise. The results of that analysis do not support the assumption that response to these two noise sources is the same. For the same value of Ldn, a greater percentage of the sample is highly annoyed by aircraft noise than by road traffic noise. Possible reasons for this contradiction of the results of a previous synthesis of noise surveys are discussed.

Adjustment to Natural and Technological Hazards A Study of an Urban Residential Community

Human adjustments to natural and technological hazards were examined using questionnaire data provided by a sample of residents on the Beach Strip in Hamilton, Ontario. This area is exposed to five hazards: flooding, severe storms, air pollution, water pollution, and noise pollution. It was hypothesized that residents made cognitive and/or behavioral adjustments to these problems. The results indicate that behavioral adjustments are widespread but do not reduce the perceived severity of environmental problems. It appears that many residents remain in the area because of low-cost housing and a closely knit community structure.

Worrying About Waste: Living Close to Solid Waste Disposal Facilities in Southern Ontario

As a complement to an epidemiological survey, depth interviews were used to discover the individual level impacts of living close to waste disposal facilities in southern Ontario. The paper begins by describing the nature of the sites and reporting some of the survey findings, which the depth interviews explored. Sample selection and data analysis methods are described. A by-code analysis of the material is presented, emphasizing both within- and between-site differences in type and concern (or impact). Concern varied according to type of exposure and site context. The paper ends with a discussion which relates the studys findings on non-toxic facilities to other research on psychosocial effects, lay reasoning and risk perceptions and assessments.

Housing satisfaction, preference and need among the chronically mentally disabled in Hamilton, Ontario

This paper examines housing satisfaction, preference and need among a sample of the CMD in Hamilton, Ontario. The research goes beyond simply documenting the gap in housing supply by examining issues of housing quality as expressed by clients themselves. Survey data were obtained in two rounds of interviews from 66 clients attached to three aftercare programmes. Various indicators were consistent in showing a relatively high level of satisfaction with the current living situation. At the same time, clients reported major housing difficulties due to lack of appropriate and affordable accommodation, unacceptable conditions and financial constraints. Housing satisfaction was a significant correlate of scores of coping indices. There was considerable variability in satisfaction within groups of the sample defined in terms of type of housing, location and living arrangement. Data on preferences and expressed needs correspond quite closely with normative prescriptions for a continuum of housing options ranging from restricted congregate care to autonomous individual living situations. These findings underline the heterogeneity of the CMD and their needs.

Geographical variation in attitudes towards smoking: findings from the COMMIT communities

This paper examines the links between attitudes towards cigarette smoking and the social environments of communities involved in the U.S. National Cancer Institutes Community Intervention Trial for Smoking Cessation (COMMIT). Our objective is to identify sources of social-geographic variation in smoking attitudes and norms which can hinder or enhance public health efforts to reduce tobacco use. The analysis had two stages: (1) place (measured as region and community) was identified as an important main effect accounting for individual variation in smoking attitudes independent of smoking status and personal characteristics; (2) case studies of COMMIT sites in North Carolina, Iowa, Washington, New Jersey and New Mexico were conducted to reveal features of the local milieux which could account for variations in smoking attitudes. Some of the place characteristics that we suggest are linked to local attitudes include economic reliance on the tobacco industry, libertarian political orientations, socio-economic conditions, legislative context and ethnic composition. Given the effects of regional and community attributes on individual attitudes towards smoking, we conclude that public health efforts to control smoking should continue to be targeted beyond individual smokers to the broader social environment.

Modelling the incidence of childhood diarrhea

Diarrheal disease is a primary cause of childhood mortality and morbidity in developing countries. Significant reduction depends on the identification of high-risk households which can be targetted for proven-effective interventions, such as oral rehydration therapy. This paper describes the development of a household risk assessment model in the context of an on-going diarrheal disease control in Grenada. Contingency and logit analyses of household survey data are used to identify easily observed markers of high-risk households. A three-variable logit model gives accurate predictions of self-reported diarrhea, showing that the approach can be used to develop an effective and efficient risk assessment tool.

RELIABILITY OF SOCIAL SURVEY DATA ON NOISE EFFECTS

The results of household interviews provide essential data for the formulation of noise control policies. However, only a few studies have investigated the reliability of such data, in terms of a test‐retest comparison. To help provide better evidence of reliability, 212 persons in the vicinity of Toronto International Airport were re‐interviewed in the summer of 1979, using essentially the same questionnaire they had answered in the summer of 1978. To test whether the reliability is affected by noise level, the sample was stratified by both aircraft and road traffic noise levels. Results show that, on an individual level, reliability of attitude scores is not particularly high (correlation coefficients of 0.50 ± 0.05 for several scales for both aircraft and road traffic noise), and that the reliability is affected by noise level. On the aggregate level (based on the percentage of the population reporting certain responses), much better reliability can be obtained. For attitude data, percent highly annoye...

Health Effects of Air Pollution in Canada: Expert Panel Findings for The Canadian Smog Advisory Program

OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence on health effects of air pollution for the Canadian Smog Advisory Program.