Abstract
Background: to investigate the high thyroid cancer incidence rate of Staten Island and to disentangle the effects of potential environmental exposure from a landfill from screening. Methods: age-adjusted thyroid cancer incidence rates obtained from the New York State Public Access Cancer Epidemiology Data for New York State (NYS) excluding New York City (NYC) and the five NYC boroughs, including Staten Island, were mapped over time (1995–2018), investigated per age group and by percentage of localized thyroid cancer. Changes in trends were assessed using joinpoint. Contaminants of concern on Staten Island were assessed for carcinogenic and endocrine disruptive properties. Results: a more pronounced thyroid cancer incidence rate increase, without a difference in age distribution and similar percentages of localized thyroid cancer, was found in Staten Island compared to its demographic equivalent (NYS excluding NYC). Multiple contaminants of concern with carcinogenic and endocrine disrupting properties (e.g., cadmium, lead) were identified in air, water and sediment samples. Conclusion: investigations into the effects of increased/sustained environmental exposures are needed in chronically exposed populations to identify potential mechanisms of action of certain pollutants.
Highlights
Thyroid cancer incidence has been increasing since the 1970’s in the US [1]
To evaluate the thyroid cancer trend, age-adjusted thyroid cancer incidence rates of the five boroughs and New York State (NYS) excluding New York City (NYC) were mapped over time (1995–2018)
There might be some indications that environmental exposure may play a role besides screening, current study does not allow for estimating the effect of screening
Summary
Thyroid cancer incidence has been increasing since the 1970’s in the US [1]. It has been suggested that changes in the prevalence of environmental risk factors might play a role in thyroid cancer etiology and progression [2]. The thyroid cancer incidence rate of Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New. York City (NYC), is reported to be 67% higher compared to the rest of NYC [3]. Kills Landfill, one of the world’s largest landfills and active between 1948 and 2001, is located on Staten Island. The landfill contains World Trade Center (WTC) debris from the 9/11 disaster that has been linked to increased thyroid cancer in other studies [4,5,6]
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