Additional burden of cancers due to environmental carcinogens in Newfoundland and Labrador: a spatial analysis

Abstract

Several environmental carcinogens are found to be spread across wide geographic areas, and the exposed inhabitants are at risk of developing various types of cancers. Arsenic and disinfection by-products in drinking water, ultraviolet rays from the sun, and agricultural chemicals used in golf courses were found to be the possible cancer risks. The study aimed to estimate the risks of cancer due to exposure to environmental carcinogens known to be present in wide geographic areas in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). The NL cancer care registry provided 2008–2017 data (histological diagnosis, age, sex, and six-digit postal code) on cancers relevant to arsenic, disinfection by-products , ultraviolet rays , and agricultural chemical exposures. The geographic distribution of environmental carcinogens was collected from government sources and previous studies. Risk ratios (RR) of annual prevalence rates of cancers in high-risk (exposed to environmental carcinogens) and low-risk populations. For ultraviolet rays , arsenic, disinfection by-products , and agricultural chemicals, the RR (95% CI) were 1.5 (1.4–1.6), 1.25 (1.03–1.51), 1.8 (1.67–1.94), and 1.49 (1.3–1.7), respectively. An excess number of cancers in high-risk areas was possibly associated with exposure to environmental carcinogens . Public health regulations, environmental monitoring, health promotion, and increased awareness in high-risk areas can prevent exposure to environmental carcinogens.