The TCE Subregistry is one of the chemical-specific subregistries of ATSDR's National Exposure Registry (NER), a database of health and demographic information on persons with documented exposure to specific chemicals. The NER's purpose is to assess the health consequences of long-term exposure to low levels of environmental contaminants. Information collected from each registrant at Baseline includes environmental data, demographic information, smoking, and occupational history, and responses to 25 general health- status questions. The same health status questions are asked at subsequent followups, which are conducted 1 to 2 years after the previous interview. The TCE Subregistry Baseline file contains information on 4,489 persons (4,172 living, 317 deceased) with documented exposure to TCE through drinking water from TCE-contaminated private wells at 15 sites in 5 states. Health outcome rates in the TCE Subregistry for Baseline through Followup 3 were compared with composite morbidity rates from the 1989–1994 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Analyses indicated increased reporting rates by TCE Subregistry registrants for the following health outcomes: speech impairment; hearing impairment; anemia and other blood disorders; stroke; urinary tract disorders; liver problems; kidney problems; diabetes; and skin rashes, eczema, and other skin allergies. Most of these outcomes were reported consistently across data collection points. Limitations of the TCE Subregistry data files include a possible bias in the rate of reporting outcomes because registrants were perhaps aware of their TCE exposure, and some differences in wording of NER and NHIS questions. TCE Subregistry data are available on the ATSDR website for further research.
Learning Objectives: To describe a TCE-exposed population and the results of comparing health outcome reporting rates in the TCE Subregistry with a national sample.
Keywords: Environmental Exposures, Health Assessment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.