Abstract
IntroductionDioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDDs) are persistent organic pollutants widely distributed in the food chain. For over 50 years, the Monsanto plant in Nitro, West Virginia, created dioxin waste while producing herbicides, Agent Orange (during the Vietnam War), and different forms of rubber. Recent and past literature has established a link between the Monsanto plant and increased cancer cases within the region. Soft tissue sarcoma is one of the few specific cancers that has been linked to dioxin exposure. This pilot study examined whether sarcoma cases were clustered or randomly distributed within Kanawha County, West Virginia over the years 2000 to 2013. We hypothesize that sarcoma cancer cases will be spatially clustered.MethodsThis study assessed the spatial distribution of cancer patients with addresses within the Nitro, West Virginia, and study area. The Charleston Area Medical Center shared soft tissue sarcoma (n = 97) cases from 2000 to 2013. An unweighted K function with confidence intervals (99 Monte Carlo permutations) and 10 distance at 2800 meters each band analyzed the distribution of cases.ResultsThe results suggest that sarcoma cases are slightly clustered within the study area. The region also has a high concentration of chemical and industrial sites. The eighth distance band exhibited the greatest difference (11384), between the expected versus the observed K function.ConclusionThe unweighted K function shows non-random clustering. Future studies could investigate possible associations to industrial, chemical, or other possible point source contamination within the study area.
Highlights
Dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDDs) are persistent organic pollutants widely distributed in the food chain
Soft tissue sarcoma is one of the few specific cancers that has been linked to dioxin exposure
The results suggest that sarcoma cases are slightly clustered within the study area
Summary
Dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDDs) are persistent organic pollutants widely distributed in the food chain. For over 50 years, the Monsanto plant in Nitro, West Virginia, created dioxin waste while producing herbicides, Agent Orange (during the Vietnam War), and different forms of rubber. Recent and past literature has established a link between the Monsanto plant and increased cancer cases within the region. Soft tissue sarcoma is one of the few specific cancers that has been linked to dioxin exposure. This pilot study examined whether sarcoma cases were clustered or randomly distributed within Kanawha County, West Virginia over the years 2000 to 2013. We hypothesize that sarcoma cancer cases will be spatially clustered
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
