Residence in Proximity of a Coal-Oil-Fired Thermal Power Plant and Risk of Lung and Bladder Cancer in North-Eastern Italy. A Population-Based Study: 1995–2009

Paolo Collarile, Ettore Bidoli, Fabio Barbone, Loris Zanier, Stefania Del Zotto, Simonetta Fuser, Fulvio Stel, Chiara Panato, Irene Gallai and Diego Serraino
Additional contact information
Paolo Collarile: Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, 33081 Aviano (PN), Italy
Ettore Bidoli: Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, 33081 Aviano (PN), Italy
Fabio Barbone: Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, Italy
Loris Zanier: Epidemiologic Service, Regional Health Directorate of Friuli Venezia Giulia, 33100 Udine, Italy
Stefania Del Zotto: Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, 33081 Aviano (PN), Italy
Simonetta Fuser: Regional Environmental Protection Agency of Friuli Venezia Giulia, 33057 Palmanova (UD), Italy
Fulvio Stel: Regional Environmental Protection Agency of Friuli Venezia Giulia, 33057 Palmanova (UD), Italy
Chiara Panato: Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, 33081 Aviano (PN), Italy
Irene Gallai: Regional Environmental Protection Agency of Friuli Venezia Giulia, 33057 Palmanova (UD), Italy
Diego Serraino: Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, 33081 Aviano (PN), Italy

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-11

Abstract: This study investigated the risk of lung and bladder cancers in people residing in proximity of a coal-oil-fired thermal power plant in an area of north-eastern Italy, covered by a population-based cancer registry. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) by sex, age, and histology were computed according to tertiles of residential exposure to benzene, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particular matter, and sulfur dioxide (SO2) among 1076 incident cases of lung and 650 cases of bladder cancers. In men of all ages and in women under 75 years of age, no significant associations were observed. Conversely, in women aged ?75 years significantly increased risks of lung and bladder cancers were related to high exposure to benzene (IRR for highest vs. lowest tertile: 2.00 for lung cancer and 1.94 for bladder cancer) and NO2 (IRR: 1.72 for lung cancer; and 1.94 for bladder cancer). In these women, a 1.71-fold higher risk of lung cancer was also related to a high exposure to SO2. Acknowledging the limitations of our study, in particular that we did not have information regarding cigarette smoking habits, the findings of this study indicate that air pollution exposure may have had a role with regard to the risk of lung and bladder cancers limited to women aged ?75 years. Such increased risk warrants further analytical investigations.

Keywords: air pollution; coal-fired thermal power plant; oil thermal power plant; geocoded; lung cancer; bladder cancer; north-eastern Italy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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