Abstract
BackgroundResidents of geothermal areas have higher incidence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and kidney cancers than others. These populations are exposed to chronic low-level ground gas emissions and various pollutants from geothermal water. The aim was to assess whether habitation in geothermal areas and utilisation of geothermal water is associated with risk of cancer according to duration of residence.MethodsThe cohort obtained from the census 1981 was followed to the end of 2013. Personal identifier was used in record linkage with nation-wide emigration, death, and cancer registries. The exposed population, defined by community codes, was located on young bedrock and had utilised geothermal water supply systems since 1972. Two reference populations were located by community codes on older bedrock or had not utilised geothermal water supply systems for as long a period as had the exposed population. Adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 95% confidence intervals (CI) non-stratified and stratified on cumulative years of residence were estimated in Cox-model.ResultsThe HR for all cancer was 1.21 (95% CI 1.12–1.30) as compared with the first reference area. The HR for pancreatic cancer was 1.93 (1.22–3.06), breast cancer, 1.48 (1.23–1.80), prostate cancer 1.47 (1.22–1.77), kidney cancer 1.46 (1.03–2.05), lymphoid and haematopoietic tissue 1.54 (1.21–1.97), non-Hodgkin´s lymphoma 2.08 (1.38–3.15) and basal cell carcinoma of the skin 1.62 (1.35–1.94). Positive dose-response relationship was observed between incidence of cancers and duration of residence, and between incidence of cancer and degree of geothermal/volcanic activity in the comparison areas.ConclusionsThe higher cancer incidence in geothermal areas than in reference areas is consistent with previous findings. As the dose-response relationships were positive between incidence of cancers and duration of residence, it is now more urgent than before to investigate the chemical and physical content of the geothermal water and of the ambient air of the areas to detect recognized or new carcinogens.
Highlights
Environmental pollution and its impact on human health have been considered a serious problem in active volcanic areas and millions of people globally live within those areas [1, 2].During eruption and post-eruptive phases, volcanoes release numerous hazardous contaminants, including toxic gases and heavy metals [3]
The hazard ratio (HR) for all cancer was 1.21 as compared with the first reference area
The higher cancer incidence in geothermal areas than in reference areas is consistent with previous findings
Summary
Environmental pollution and its impact on human health have been considered a serious problem in active volcanic areas and millions of people globally live within those areas [1, 2].During eruption and post-eruptive phases, volcanoes release numerous hazardous contaminants, including toxic gases and heavy metals [3]. In a study from Sicily, residents of the volcanic region of Catania province have higher incidence of thyroid cancer than other populations and it is mentioned that the environmental concentration of Rn is elevated in the area; it was not possible to conclude on the role of the Rn in this context [14]. The authors conclude that increased risk of all cancers and for several tissue-specific types of cancer was a likely consequence of non-anthropogenic environmental pollution, and different cancer-specific carcinogens and mechanisms may be responsible for the higher incidence of certain tumour types among residents in the volcanic area [17]. Residents of geothermal areas have higher incidence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and kidney cancers than others These populations are exposed to chronic low-level ground gas emissions and various pollutants from geothermal water. The aim was to assess whether habitation in geothermal areas and utilisation of geothermal water is associated with risk of cancer according to duration of residence
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