Additional burden of cancers due to the exposure to agricultural chemicals and its economic implications in healthcare: A population-based study in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Abstract

Background: Research has documented positive associations between exposure to agricultural chemicals (ACs; pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides) and certain cancers. Studies demonstrated that the population living within 500 meters of agricultural farms are exposed to ACs due to drift. Though Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) has very few agricultural farms, people living close to golf courses might be susceptible to the inhalation of ACs in ambient air. However, there is no population-based study that examined associations between exposure to ACs in the population living close to golf courses and incidences of cancers. This study is aimed to estimate the risk of cancers among people exposed to ACs due to living close to golf courses and additional financial burdens. Methods: Of the 18 golf courses in NL, nine has proximity to human habitations. Neighborhoods within 500 meters of those golf courses were selected as high-risk areas. For low-risk areas, sixteen communities were selected because they had no golf course and agriculture land nearby. Cancer data were extracted from the NL Cancer Registry for cases diagnosed from 2007 to 2016. Histology and topography of cancers and demographic information of cases (sex, year of birth, and residence at the time of diagnosis) were extracted. Risk ratios (RR) of cancer prevalence rates in both areas, an excess number of cancer cases in high-risk areas, and the average cost of cancer care (hospitalization and intervention) were calculated. Results: High-risk areas had a higher prevalence of cancers related to ACs exposure (RR 1.76, 95% CI 1.53-2.02) compared to low-risk areas. The estimated additional burden of cancer cases due to suspected agricultural chemical exposure was 112, incurring approximately C$ 2.5 million for cancer care. Conclusion: Results suggested an elevated risk of cancer in high-risk areas associated with exposure to ACs and additional financial burden to the province’s healthcare system.