The degree to which exposure to these contaminants suppresses immune system function has been "underestimated," Carpenter added.
Unexpectedly, rates of hospitalization for asthma were also increased in children living near a hazardous waste site. "Asthma is a disease due to an overactive immune system, and we had expected that we would see a reduced rate of hospitalization for asthma," Carpenter said.
"However, we are looking at asthmatics that are hospitalized for a very severe attack, and on consideration we now suspect that this occurs primarily when an asthmatic also has an infection." His team plans additional studies to test whether this is the case.
Summing up, Carpenter said this study shows that exposure to organic pollutants and other contaminants can harm health and just living near to a contaminated site may cause exposure.
"While our specific study focused on air transport of the contaminants, they are also in our food," Carpenter noted, "and the effect of exposure should not be different whether it is via food or air. So we really need to get these chemicals out of our environment to the greatest degree possible."
