Quantitative health risk assessment in a historical contaminated area – exposure- and risk characterization

Abstract

Introduction Production of glass has been going on since the 1800’s in Sweden, and several areas are contaminated by this industry. Environmental measurements show elevated levels of metals, arsenic, lead, cadmium and antimony in soil and water, and it is anticipated that the population living in those areas is highly exposed to metals in locally grown root crops, berries, etc. The aim of this study is to investigate the level of exposure and associated health risks in a population residing in a historically contaminated area. Methods We identified 34 271 individuals, who at some time between the years 1979-2004, had lived within 2 km radius of a glass works area. Information on the incidence of cancer diagnoses occurring among residents during the period 1979-2010 was obtained from the National Cancer Register. Information on dietary habits, lifestyle factors etc. were collected via questionnaires sent to all living cancer cases and to cancer-free controls from the same area. A subsample of them was asked to provide biological samples and metals were determined in blood and urine from approximately 800 individuals to assess exposure and body burdens. Preliminary results Cancer cases, residing for at least 10 years in the contaminated area, reported higher consumption of local root crops, fruit, berries and mushrooms than controls (p<0.05). Cancer cases had a longer period of residence in the area than the controls (46 and 35 years, resp.; p<0.01). Twelve % of the cancer cases and 9 % of the controls had worked in the glass production. Preliminary data based on 208 analyzed blood samples and evaluated by Principal Component Analysis, showed that metals co-varied with having a private well during childhood, long residence time in the glass works area, smoking and having a cancer diagnosis. Conclusions Preliminary data indicate an association between having a cancer diagnosis and the consumption of local food, residence time in the area and having had a private well.