This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Keller-Olaman, S. J. Articles by Jerrett, M. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Individual and Neighborhood Characteristics Associated with Environmental Exposure

Exploring Relationships at Home and Work in a Canadian City

University of Toronto and the McMaster Institute of Environment and Health

John D. Eyles

McMaster Institute of Environment and Health, McMaster University

Susan J. Elliott

Faculty of Social Sciences at McMaster University

Kathi Wilson

University of Toronto, McMaster Institute of Environment and Health

Nathaniel Dostrovsky

McMaster University

Michael Jerrett

School of Geography and Geology, the Health Studies Program, and the McMaster Institute of Environment and Health

Environmental exposure research tends to emphasize the monitoring and regulation of emissions, with fewer investigations of exposure experienced in the general population. To help bridge the gap between environmental quality and perceived exposure, this study examines ambient exposures among 300 residents from each of 4 neighborhoods and among a control group of 300 residents in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Logistic regression analyses determined how individual, neighborhood, and housing characteristics influenced self-reported exposure in the workplace, inside the home, and around the home. Blue-collar occupations, neighborhood dislikes, and a home in disrepair were associated with work exposure. Neighborhood dislikes, renting, and indicating how the neighborhood could be healthier were associated with indoor exposure. Pesticide exposure was linked to professional occupations and to a specific neighborhood. Older homes were also associated with pesticide and indoor exposure. The findings highlight the need for further research on indoor exposure indices and on perceptions of neighborhood quality.

Key Words: environmental quality • exposure • home • workplace • pesticides • Hamilton • Canada

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?