Winthrop, by contrast, is a stable, mature residential community without significant pollution sources except for the airport. Some neighborhoods in Winthrop are located within a few hundred feet of major airport runways, while others are located as much as a mile and a half away. Residents report a marked difference in perception of chemical odors from the airport in relation to location in the Town, indicating that different levels of exposure occur within the Town resulting from distance from the airport and wind direction. In consideration of these facts, this study was conducted to determine whether any correlation exists between the level of exposure to air pollutants generated by airport activity and the incidence of and frequency of symptoms to respiratory disease. The statistical significance is absent for the infrequent conditions chronic bronchitis and emphysema, though a positive trend is still evident.
Chronic sinusitis shows a strong correlation with the most highly exposed area.
Click here for the full report including results, methodology and data summaries.