Toxic Waste: Behavioral Effects of an Environmental Stressor

This study examines the stress-related behavioral effects that may be associated with living near an ambient stressor: a toxic-waste landfill. Results are based on a telephone survey of 426 persons living in three distance strata from the landfill (within 1 1/2 miles, 1 1/2 to 5 miles, and 5 to 10 miles). The instrument was adapted from the Hopkins Life Checklist (SCL-90) and from surveys used by researchers studying the effects of the Three Mile Island nuclear accident. No significant differences were found across area or amount of stimuli exposure on the dependent variables of bodily effects, anger-hostility, and demoralization. Scattered effects across age, sex, educational level, and home ownership (v rental) occurred; however, these could not be attributed solely to the landfill.