Childhood cancer in small geographical areas and proximity to air-polluting industries

Abstract

Aim Pediatric cancer has been associated with exposure to certain environmental carcinogens. The purpose of this work is to analyse the relationship between environmental pollution and pediatric cancer risk. Method We analysed all incidences of pediatric cancer (< 15) diagnosed in a Spanish region during the period 1998–2015. The place of residence of each patient and the exact geographical coordinates of main industrial facilities was codified in order to analyse the spatial distribution of cases of cancer in relation to industrial areas. Focal tests and focused Scan methodology were used for the identification of high-incidence-rate spatial clusters around the main industrial pollution foci. Results The crude rate for the period was 148.0 cases per 1,000,0000 children. The incidence of pediatric cancer increased significantly along the period of study. With respect to spatial distribution, results showed significant high incidence around some industrial pollution foci group and the Scan methodology identify spatial clustering. We observe a global major incidence of non Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) considering all foci, and high incidence of Sympathetic Nervous System Tumour (SNST) around Energy and Electric and organic and inorganic chemical industries foci group. In the analysis foci to foci, the focused Scan test identifies several significant spatial clusters. Particularly, three significant clusters were identified: the first of SNST was around energy-generating chemical industries (2 cases versus the expected 0.26), another of NHL was around residue-valorisation plants (5 cases versus the expected 0.91) and finally one cluster of Hodgkin lymphoma around building materials (3 cases versus the expected 2.2) Conclusion Results suggest a possible association between proximity to certain industries and pediatric cancer risk. More evidences are necessary before establishing the relationship between industrial pollution and pediatric cancer incidence.

A spatial analysis of childhood cancer and industrial air pollution in a metropolitan area of Colombia

“…During 2015, Ramis et al published a case-control study with spatial analysis, which included cases of leukemia, cancer of the CNS and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma from five regions of Spain diagnosed from 1996 to 2011, and reported absence of any statistically significant cluster [46]. Ortega-García and cols., analyzed the spatial distribution of all incident cases of CC diagnosed in Spain during 1998 to 2015, using focused cluster tests and found a possible association between proximity to certain industries and CC [10]. Previous population case-control studies conducted in Spain by same research team reported an increased risk of Leukemia in children (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.03-1.67) [5], and renal tumors (OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.13-3, 42) [47] associated with living at a distance less than 2.5 km from industrial facilities; increased risk of neuroblastomas associated with industrial facilities at 1 km (OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.20-5.30) and 2 km (OR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.17-3.37) [48]; and increased risk of bone tumors in children under 15 years of age associated with living less than 3 km from industrial sources (OR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.17-4.63) [49].…”

“…Some authors argue that environmental factors can be the cause of 85-96% of all cancers in childhood [4] [5] [6] [7]. In recent years, studies conducted in England, Spain and the United States found an association between CC, especially leukemia and CNS tumors, and air pollution exposure [8] [9] [10]. Air pollution is considered the world’s largest single environmental health risk as the World Health Organization (WHO, 2016) affirmed that 92% of the world population lives in places where air quality levels are poor [11].…”

“…During 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found that there is sufficient evidence about the carcinogenicity of outdoor air pollution in general and fine particulate matter (PM 2,5 ) [12]. Research published in Europe and North America, have found association between CC and proximity to industrial sources that emit pollutants into the air [5][9][10][13][14]; also, since the beginning of the 20th century, geographic clusters of cancer have been identified, mainly for leukemia [15]. The mixture of pollutants varies widely in space and time, reflecting the heterogeneity of their sources, the influence of climate, atmospheric transformations, and other factors, and therefore health effects might also differ widely in space and time and cannot be generalized.…”

A spatial analysis of childhood cancer and industrial air pollution in a metropolitan area of Colombia

“…Some authors argue that environmental factors can be the cause of 85%‐96% of all cancers in childhood 4‐7 . In recent years, studies conducted in England, Spain and the United States found an association between CC, especially leukemia and neoplasms of the central nervous system tumors, and air pollution exposure 8‐10 . Air pollution is the world's largest single environmental health risk; it is the presence in the air of one or more substances in a concentration or a duration exceeding their natural levels, with the possibility of producing an adverse effect 11…”

Impact of Energy Technologies on Public Health

“…In some regions located in the vicinity of air pollution sources (i.e. industrial sites), researchers have noticed higher [3], which is aggravated by vehicle exhaust air [4]. Therefore, complex pollution is extremely dangerous [5,6].…”