Lung cancer risk associated with residential proximity to industrial installations: a spatial analysis

Abstract

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death and thus a major public health problem. While lung cancer frequency might be partially attributable to smoking habit and occupational exposure, the role of industrial pollution also needs to be assessed. To ascertain the possible effect of residential proximity to industrial installations on lung cancer risk in Asturias, an industrial region in Spain, taking into account the type of industrial activity and carcinogenic substances released. We conducted a hospital-based case-control study covering 700 lung cancer patients and 700 controls recruited in Asturias, matched individually by ethnicity, hospital, age, and sex. Distances were computed from the respective participants' residential locations to the 48 industrial facilities governed by the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Act 16/2002 and included in the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register, and located in the study areas. Using logistic regression, odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) were calculated and adjusted for sex, age, hospital area, tobacco consumption, family history of cancer, area of residence, and occupation. Excess risk of lung cancer was observed for individuals living near industrial installations (OR = 1.43; 95 % CI = 1.08-1.89), particularly metal industries (OR = 1.40; 95 % CI = 1.05-1.87), cement plants (OR = 4.81; 95 % CI = 1. 20-19.19), and shipyards (OR = 1.69; 95 % CI = 1.17-2.43). Residents living close to industrial facilities releasing dioxins displayed a high, though nonstatistically significant, excess risk of lung cancer (OR = 1.62; 95 % CI = 0.86-3.07). This study suggests a possible association between lung cancer risk and proximity to industrial installations, specifically metal industries, cement plants, and shipyards.

Ovarian cancer mortality and industrial pollution

“…We have used several distances (2, 3, 4 and 5 km) that coincide with that used by other authors (Cambra et al, 2013;Huang and Batterman, 2000;LopezAbente et al, 2012;Lopez-Cima et al, 2013;Pascal et al, 2013;Yang et al, 2003) and could be justified because, in these types of studies, if some increase in risk were to be found, it would most likely be in areas neither too close nor too far from pollutant sources. Moreover, the choice of 5 km has provided satisfactory results in the statistical analyses in similar ecologic studies (Federico et al, 2010;Garcia-Perez et al, 2013).…”

Regional Inequalities in Lung Cancer Mortality in Belgium at the Beginning of the 21st Century: The Contribution of Individual and Area-Level Socioeconomic Status and Industrial Exposure

“…Thirdly, physical environmental factors could result in regional inequalities in lung cancer mortality. Individuals living close to industrial installations, especially around metal industries, cement plants and shipyards, generally experience increased lung cancer risks [ 20 ]. Residents of coal-mining areas were found to have increased levels of lung cancer mortality as well [ 21 ].…”

Childhood leukemia and residential proximity to industrial and urban sites

“…In relation to industrial sources, the European Commission passed the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) in 2002 and the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) in 2007. IPPC and E-PRTR records constitute an inventory of geo-located industries with health and environmental impact in Europe, which is a valuable resource for monitoring industrial pollution and, by extension, renders it possible for the association between residential proximity to such pollutants installations and health impacts, such as cancer, to be studied (Lopez-Cima et al, 2011;Lopez-Cima et al, 2013).…”