OBJECTIVE

In September 2002, two freight trains collided at Bad Muender, Germany. The inhabitants were potentially exposed to combustion products and to the human carcinogen epichlorohydrine (ECH). We aimed to describe the geographical distribution of and potential risk factors for acute symptoms among children residing in Bad Muender.

METHODS

The parents of a random sample of children were invited to answer a mail-in questionnaire (response rate 63%). The main outcome measures were self-reported acute symptoms potentially associated with combustion products (e. g., irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat) and stress-related unspecific symptoms (e. g., gastrointestinal complaints, sleep problems, headaches). The main location during the first 26 hours after the train accident served as exposure proxy measure. In addition, potential predictors for the symptoms under study were assessed.

RESULTS

The prevalence of symptoms associated with combustion products was 5.9%. Unspecific symptoms were reported for 6.3% of the children. Main location and prevalence of symptoms were not significantly associated. Physician-diagnosed asthma and nasal allergies were the main predictors of symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of acute symptoms was relatively high in a random sample of children living close to the incident. However, associations between exposure to the accident and symptoms could not be established conclusively.