Abstract
An excess mortality from lung cancer was found in men living in a highly industrialized area of a city. There is suggestive evidence that a local industry which produced arsenical pesticides may be responsible for increased levels of arsenic in the local soil. However, we have not attempted to establish a direct correlation between cancer deaths by residence and arsenic level. Furthermore, there is no information on other confounding variables in this population. Therefore, at the present time this evidence is only suggestive in nature. These data, however, raise many interesting and important questions. For example, considering the fact that the plant in question was opened before 1900, why did the excess risk of lung cancer manifest itself over 60 years later? Furthermore, if environmental pollution caused the excess lung cancers in the community, why was the excess risk not seen in women as well? Could differences in smoking habits or migration patterns be playing a role? The answers to these questions are unknown at present. Further studies are needed in order to provide answers to these question as well as to determine whether the observed excess risk has persisted.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 117-124 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of UOEH |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | Suppl. |
State | Published - Jan 1 1983 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health