Callender T J, Ristovv M, Guerra M, Ruttenberg R
Med-Health Clinic Ltd. and Environmental and Occupational Medical Research Institute, Lafayette, Louisiana 70503, USA.
Environ Res. 1997;73(1-2):166-74. doi: 10.1006/enrs.1997.3698.
A detailed study of workers at a hazardous waste incinerator in Lenoir, North Carolina, revealed significant financial losses resulting from health problems caused by the incinerator. The losses included approximately $3 million for 3 years of medical care for 28 workers employed at the incinerator. Future wage losses for exposed workers were projected to be from $14 million to $15 million. Loss of the incinerator as a viable employment base was a significant blow to the local economy. Third-party payers of medical costs, government and private, were also at risk of financial loss. Workers' compensation benefits ranging from $6500 to $274,000 per person were paid by insurance companies to some workers; however, these benefits did not always cover the medical expenses incurred. As a result of their illnesses, 11 of the 28 workers (39%) had to sell or give up their homes, 8 workers (36%) lost their vehicles, 19 workers (68%) began to receive Social Security Disability payments, and 11 workers (39%) obtained food stamps. One worker not included in these figures died 3 years after he settled with the state workers' compensation program. Five of the 28 interviewed workers continue to work in spite of continuing health problems. The 23 workers who cannot work will have estimated lifetime medical expenses of $25.4 million.
对北卡罗来纳州勒诺市一家危险废物焚烧厂工人的详细研究表明，焚烧厂引发的健康问题导致了重大经济损失。这些损失包括为该厂28名工人提供三年医疗护理的约300万美元。预计接触有害物质的工人未来的工资损失在1400万至1500万美元之间。焚烧厂作为一个可行的就业基地的丧失，对当地经济造成了重大打击。医疗费用的第三方支付者，包括政府和私人机构，也面临经济损失的风险。保险公司向一些工人支付了每人6500美元至27.4万美元不等的工伤赔偿金；然而，这些赔偿金并不总能覆盖所产生的医疗费用。由于患病，28名工人中有11人（39%）不得不卖掉或放弃自己的住房，8名工人（36%）失去了车辆，19名工人（68%）开始领取社会保障残疾金，11名工人（39%）获得了食品券。在这些数据中未被包括的一名工人在与州工伤赔偿计划达成和解三年后去世。在接受采访的28名工人中，有5人尽管健康问题持续存在仍继续工作。那23名无法工作的工人预计终生医疗费用为2540万美元。
