MG patients were retrieved from the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database from 1998 – 2014 using MG ICD9 codes (358.00, 358.01, and 358.1) as the primary diagnosis. The registry containing designated hazardous waste sites (POPs) was retrieved from the New York State Department of Health. POPs were classified as either POP 1, POP2, or POP3, with POP3 having the highest number of POPs. We compared the prevalence of MG among groups with different levels of exposure to that of the general NY population.

We identified 4,227 MG in the SPARCS database. Of the total population, 8,570,735 (44.54%) residents resided near at least one POP. Of the 4,227 patients, 1,679 (39.72%) resided near at least one POP. The prevalence of MG was not significantly increased near a POP compared to non-POP (1.152 per 100,000 vs 1.404 per 100,000 p=0.1261>0.05). The prevalence of MG was not significantly increased compared to the NY state population (Non-POP 1.404 per 100,000; POP 1 1.147 per 100,000; POP2 1.08 per 100,000; POP3 1.012 per 100,000 p<0.0001).

The gender of MG patients in POPs was not significantly different compared to non-POPs (p=0.9219>0.05). The race of MG patients in POPs was significantly different non-POPs (p=0.0016<0.05). The ethnicity of MG patients in POPs was significantly different compared to non-POPs (p=0.049<0.05). The age of MG patients in POPs was not significantly different compared to non-POPs (mean age=46.46±26.8 p=0.8265>0.05).