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Factors related to short-term memory dysfunction in children residing near a Petrochemical Industrial Estate
Piraya Aungudornpukdee1, Nuntavarn Vichit-Vadakan, Surasak Taneepanichskul
1College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. janchai_a@hotmail.com
Insights
Children living closer to the Map Ta Phut Petrochemical Industrial Estate showed higher rates of short-term memory dysfunction. Proximity to pollution sources and specific communities were key factors impacting children's neurobehavioral health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Children residing near industrial areas may be at risk for neurodevelopmental issues.
- Petrochemical industrial estates can release pollutants affecting local populations.
- Assessing cognitive functions like short-term memory is crucial for understanding environmental health impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors contributing to short-term memory dysfunction in children aged 6-13 near the Map Ta Phut Petrochemical Industrial Estate.
- To identify specific environmental or community-related factors associated with neurobehavioral effects.
- To provide data for public health interventions in affected areas.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted.
- Neurobehavioral effects were assessed using the Digit Span Test.
- Data were collected from 2,158 children in the Map Ta Phut sub-district, Rayong province.
Main Results:
- One-third of the studied children exhibited short-term memory dysfunction.
- An inverse association was observed between short-term memory dysfunction and proximity to the industrial park (adjusted OR 0.871).
- Specific communities (Islam and Taladmabtaput) showed an inverse association with dysfunction (adjusted ORs 0.382 and 0.297, respectively).
Conclusions:
- Children's short-term memory dysfunction is linked to their residential distance from industrial pollution sources.
- Community location plays a role in the prevalence of neurobehavioral effects.
- Further research is needed to clarify the association with the duration of residence.
Abstract:
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the factors that affect short-term memory dysfunction among children, 6 to 13 years of age, residing near the Petrochemical Industrial Estate, Map Ta Phut sub-district, Rayong province. A population-based cross-sectional study was employed for collecting data on neurobehavioral effects using the Digit Span Test. The present study found one-third of 2,158 children presented with short-term memory dysfunction. It was found an inverse association between short-term memory dysfunction with 2 out of 25 communities; Islam (adjusted OR 0.382) and Taladmabtaput (adjusted OR 0.297). In addition, short-term memory dysfunction was also found an inverse association with distance from residential areas to the industrial park (adjusted OR 0.871). It was also found that an association between short-term memory dysfunction and length of living period in study areas was not clear The finding on short-term memory dysfunction indicated that children with short-term memory dysfunction were affected by the distance from residential areas to source of pollution and community.
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