Spatial Analysis of Ambient PM2.5 Exposure and Bladder Cancer Mortality in Taiwan.

Hsin-Ling Yeh,Hui-Chen Tsou,Ta-Chien Chan,Yen-Chen Chang,Po-Huang Chiang,Shang-Wei Hsu,Yu-Chia Chang

doi:10.3390/ijerph14050508

Abstract

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is an air pollutant that is receiving intense regulatory attention in Taiwan. In previous studies, the effect of air pollution on bladder cancer has been explored. This study was conducted to elucidate the effect of atmospheric PM2.5 and other local risk factors on bladder cancer mortality based on available 13-year mortality data. Geographically weighted regression (GWR) was applied to estimate and interpret the spatial variability of the relationships between bladder cancer mortality and ambient PM2.5 concentrations, and other variables were covariates used to adjust for the effect of PM2.5. After applying a GWR model, the concentration of ambient PM2.5 showed a positive correlation with bladder cancer mortality in males in northern Taiwan and females in most of the townships in Taiwan. This is the first time PM2.5 has been identified as a risk factor for bladder cancer based on the statistical evidence provided by GWR analysis.

Highlights

Particulate matter (PM) is microscopic solid or liquid matter suspended in the atmosphere.Subtypes of atmospheric particulate matter include suspended particulate matter (SPM), thoracic and respirable particles [1], inhalable coarse particles, which are particles with a diameter between 2.5 and 10 micrometers, fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less [2] (PM2.5 ), ultrafine particles (PM10 ), and soot
In order to focus on the effect of PM2.5 and other risk factors rather than arsenic exposure, we excluded four Blackfoot disease (BFD)-endemic townships located in southwestern Taiwan
Among the risk factors analyzed in this study, the smoking rates of both sexes were positively correlated with bladder cancer mortality

Summary

Introduction

Particulate matter (PM) is microscopic solid or liquid matter suspended in the atmosphere.Subtypes of atmospheric particulate matter include suspended particulate matter (SPM), thoracic and respirable particles [1], inhalable coarse particles, which are particles with a diameter between 2.5 and 10 micrometers (μm), fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less [2] (PM2.5 ), ultrafine particles (PM10 ), and soot. PM2.5 has been confirmed to be associated with health risks including elevated morbidity [4,5,6,7,8] in human populations around the world. Few studies have explored the effect of air pollution on bladder cancer . A study in Spain pointed out that long-term exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and diesel engine emissions from industries near residential areas was associated with higher risk of bladder cancer [11]. In Taiwan, one matched case-control study found a dose-dependent effect of exposure to NO2 , SO2 , and PM10 on bladder cancer mortality [12]. In the United States, air pollution ozone days were positively associated with increased bladder cancer mortality [14].

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Discussion

Conclusion