Cancer mortality in a Chinese population surrounding a multi-metal sulphide mine in Guangdong province: an ecologic study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Dabaoshan mine in the southeast of Guangdong Province, China, is at high risk of multi-metal pollutant discharge into a local river (Hengshihe) and the surrounding area. Following approximately 30 years of exposure to these metal...

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Main Authors: Yang Yan, Ren Zefang, Hu Qianshen, Lu Ciyong, Chen Wei-Qing, Song Hong, Wang Mao, Xu Yanjun, Zhong Aiming, Ling Wenhua
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2011-05-01
Series:BMC Public Health
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/319
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author Yang Yan
Ren Zefang
Hu Qianshen
Lu Ciyong
Chen Wei-Qing
Song Hong
Wang Mao
Xu Yanjun
Zhong Aiming
Ling Wenhua
author_facet Yang Yan
Ren Zefang
Hu Qianshen
Lu Ciyong
Chen Wei-Qing
Song Hong
Wang Mao
Xu Yanjun
Zhong Aiming
Ling Wenhua
author_sort Yang Yan
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Dabaoshan mine in the southeast of Guangdong Province, China, is at high risk of multi-metal pollutant discharge into a local river (Hengshihe) and the surrounding area. Following approximately 30 years of exposure to these metals, little is known regarding the subsequent health effects and risks for the local residents. In our present study, we have estimated the relationships between long-term environmental exposure to multiple heavy metals and the risk of cancer mortality in a Chinese population in the vicinity of Dabaoshan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An ecologic study was performed. Between 2000-2007, a total population of 194,131 lived in the nine agricultural villages that surround the Hengshihe area. Heavy metals concentrations were determined in local environmental samples (water and crops) and whole blood taken from 1152 local residents of both a high-exposure area (HEA) and a low-exposure area (LEA). We calculated the rate ratio and standardized mortality ratios based on age- and gender-specific cancer mortality rates for the different reference populations (based on district, county and province). Simple, multiple linear and ridge regression models were used to evaluate the associations between exposure to multiple heavy metals and cancer mortality in the nine villages, after adjustment for age and sex.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The geometric mean blood levels of cadmium and lead were measured at 24.10 μg/L and 38.91 μg/dL for subjects (n = 563) in the HEA and 1.87 μg/L and 4.46 μg/dL for subjects (n = 589) from the LEA, respectively (<it>P </it>< 0.001). The rate of mortality from all cancers in the HEA was substantially elevated in comparison with the corresponding mortality rate in the LEA for men (rate ratio = 2.13; 95% confidence intervals = 1.63 - 2.77) and women (2.83; 1.91 - 4.19); rates were also significantly elevated compared with the rate when compared to the entire Wengyuan County area, or the provincial reference population. In addition, mortality rates were significantly increased for stomach, lung and esophageal cancer in the HEA in comparison with the corresponding rates in the LEA, in Wengyuan County and the provincial reference population for men, women and both combined. Further analysis showed that there were significantly positive correlations between exposure to cadmium and lead and the risk of all-cancers and stomach cancer mortality among women and both sexes, whilst zinc exposure showed no association with the risk of site-specific cancer mortality in the nine villages evaluated.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The findings of this study reveal probable associations between long-term environmental exposure to both cadmium and lead and an increased risk of mortality from all cancer, as well as from stomach, esophageal and lung-cancers.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-2f206784ceb243bd8d24c60bfdd0a0292022-12-21T20:00:02ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582011-05-0111131910.1186/1471-2458-11-319Cancer mortality in a Chinese population surrounding a multi-metal sulphide mine in Guangdong province: an ecologic studyYang YanRen ZefangHu QianshenLu CiyongChen Wei-QingSong HongWang MaoXu YanjunZhong AimingLing Wenhua<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Dabaoshan mine in the southeast of Guangdong Province, China, is at high risk of multi-metal pollutant discharge into a local river (Hengshihe) and the surrounding area. Following approximately 30 years of exposure to these metals, little is known regarding the subsequent health effects and risks for the local residents. In our present study, we have estimated the relationships between long-term environmental exposure to multiple heavy metals and the risk of cancer mortality in a Chinese population in the vicinity of Dabaoshan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An ecologic study was performed. Between 2000-2007, a total population of 194,131 lived in the nine agricultural villages that surround the Hengshihe area. Heavy metals concentrations were determined in local environmental samples (water and crops) and whole blood taken from 1152 local residents of both a high-exposure area (HEA) and a low-exposure area (LEA). We calculated the rate ratio and standardized mortality ratios based on age- and gender-specific cancer mortality rates for the different reference populations (based on district, county and province). Simple, multiple linear and ridge regression models were used to evaluate the associations between exposure to multiple heavy metals and cancer mortality in the nine villages, after adjustment for age and sex.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The geometric mean blood levels of cadmium and lead were measured at 24.10 μg/L and 38.91 μg/dL for subjects (n = 563) in the HEA and 1.87 μg/L and 4.46 μg/dL for subjects (n = 589) from the LEA, respectively (<it>P </it>< 0.001). The rate of mortality from all cancers in the HEA was substantially elevated in comparison with the corresponding mortality rate in the LEA for men (rate ratio = 2.13; 95% confidence intervals = 1.63 - 2.77) and women (2.83; 1.91 - 4.19); rates were also significantly elevated compared with the rate when compared to the entire Wengyuan County area, or the provincial reference population. In addition, mortality rates were significantly increased for stomach, lung and esophageal cancer in the HEA in comparison with the corresponding rates in the LEA, in Wengyuan County and the provincial reference population for men, women and both combined. Further analysis showed that there were significantly positive correlations between exposure to cadmium and lead and the risk of all-cancers and stomach cancer mortality among women and both sexes, whilst zinc exposure showed no association with the risk of site-specific cancer mortality in the nine villages evaluated.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The findings of this study reveal probable associations between long-term environmental exposure to both cadmium and lead and an increased risk of mortality from all cancer, as well as from stomach, esophageal and lung-cancers.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/319
spellingShingle Yang Yan
Ren Zefang
Hu Qianshen
Lu Ciyong
Chen Wei-Qing
Song Hong
Wang Mao
Xu Yanjun
Zhong Aiming
Ling Wenhua
Cancer mortality in a Chinese population surrounding a multi-metal sulphide mine in Guangdong province: an ecologic study
BMC Public Health
title Cancer mortality in a Chinese population surrounding a multi-metal sulphide mine in Guangdong province: an ecologic study
title_full Cancer mortality in a Chinese population surrounding a multi-metal sulphide mine in Guangdong province: an ecologic study
title_fullStr Cancer mortality in a Chinese population surrounding a multi-metal sulphide mine in Guangdong province: an ecologic study
title_full_unstemmed Cancer mortality in a Chinese population surrounding a multi-metal sulphide mine in Guangdong province: an ecologic study
title_short Cancer mortality in a Chinese population surrounding a multi-metal sulphide mine in Guangdong province: an ecologic study
title_sort cancer mortality in a chinese population surrounding a multi metal sulphide mine in guangdong province an ecologic study
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/319
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