Abstract

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To clarify factors contributing to mass illness of sudden onset by studying an outbreak that was apparently triggered by a gaseous odor and that involved a rapid, extensive response by school and fire officials.

SETTING:

Urban elementary school.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:

A standardized student questionnaire was designed to identify potential illness predictors.

DESIGN:

Abstract

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE:

A chemical spill from an oil refinery exposed the local community to more than 40,000 lb of highly toxic and corrosive hydrofluoric acid. A community based symptom prevalence study found an association between exposure and physical symptoms: the psychological impact of the disaster and its potential effect on the reporting of physical symptoms is examined here.

DESIGN:

The study used a population based survey design consisting of two phases: phase I, the exposure phase, and, phase II, the symptom prevalence phase.

SUBJECTS: