SURROUNDING CITIES

This study examined possible health effects associated with pollution from the AK Steel plant in Middletown, OH. I fit Generalized Linear Models to mortality data from 1999-2002 using zip code or exposure (low/high) groups whilst adjusting for season, year and age at time of death. Cause specific cardiovascular and respiratory diseases age–adjusted mortality rates were determined for each zip code in our study area. The results of the model using location indicate mortality pattern, which could not be attributed to the location of the Steel plant. A model using exposure indicates that cardiovascular mortality in the high exposed groups was significantly higher than mortality in low exposed group at p < 0.05 with relative risk = 1.28 (95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.02, 1.58) but respiratory mortality was not significantly different. Age-adjusted mortality rates indicated higher levels in cardiovascular and respiratory mortality rates compare