Abstract
This study investigated the risk of lung and bladder cancers in people residing in proximity of a coal-oil-fired thermal power plant in an area of north-eastern Italy, covered by a population-based cancer registry. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) by sex, age, and histology were computed according to tertiles of residential exposure to benzene, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particular matter, and sulfur dioxide (SO2) among 1076 incident cases of lung and 650 cases of bladder cancers. In men of all ages and in women under 75 years of age, no significant associations were observed. Conversely, in women aged ≥75 years significantly increased risks of lung and bladder cancers were related to high exposure to benzene (IRR for highest vs. lowest tertile: 2.00 for lung cancer and 1.94 for bladder cancer) and NO2 (IRR: 1.72 for lung cancer; and 1.94 for bladder cancer). In these women, a 1.71-fold higher risk of lung cancer was also related to a high exposure to SO2. Acknowledging the limitations of our study, in particular that we did not have information regarding cigarette smoking habits, the findings of this study indicate that air pollution exposure may have had a role with regard to the risk of lung and bladder cancers limited to women aged ≥75 years. Such increased risk warrants further analytical investigations.
Highlights
Agents classified as Group 1 lung carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) include personal habits and occupational and environmental exposures
The coal-fired and oil thermal power plant is located near the city center of Monfalcone since 1965; over time, the power plant has undergone several additions and changes
IRRscancer of lung cancer bysubtype histologic subtype (Table S3)a highlighted a significantly increased risk of other lung cancer (OLC), in women aged 75 years or older, for highest tertile of exposure to C6H6 (IRR = 2.02, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.14–3.6), NO2 (IRR = 1.70, 95% CI: 0.87–3.00), PM10
Summary
Agents classified as Group 1 lung carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) include personal habits and occupational and environmental exposures. In many populations cigarette smoking is the main cause of lung cancer, other recognized risk factors may have a relevant impact under local circumstances. Such factors include exposure to identified physical and chemical agents and their mixtures and occupational and environmental activities. Res. Public Health 2017, 14, 860; doi:10.3390/ijerph14080860 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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