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Ngoc LTN, Park D, Lee YC. Human Health Impacts of Residential Radon Exposure: Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Case-Control Studies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:97. [PMID: 36612419 PMCID: PMC9819115 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the impact of residential radon exposure on human cancers (i.e., lung cancer and childhood leukemia) through a systematic review and meta-analysis of case−control studies. A total of 9724 articles obtained from electronic databases were assessed; however, only 55 case−control studies were eligible after manually screening and eliminating unnecessary studies. The causal associations were addressed by determining the meta-analysis’s estimated size effects (i.e., ORs/RRs) of the meta-analysis. Residential radon was revealed to significantly increase the incidence of lung cancer and childhood leukemia with pooled ORs of 1.38 [1.19; 1.60] (I2 = 90%; p < 0.00001) and 1.43 [1.19; 1.72] (I2 = 0% and p = 0.51), respectively. In addition, subgroup analyses were performed to reduce the heterogeneity of the initial meta-analyses. The results provided strong evidence that inhaling radon in the indoor environments is closely associated with the development of lung cancer and childhood leukemia in patients living in Europe and areas with high radon levels (≥100 Bq/m3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Thi Nhu Ngoc
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Environment, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Duckshin Park
- Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI), 176 Cheoldobakmulkwan-ro, Uiwang-si 16105, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Chul Lee
- Department of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea
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Almurayshid M, Alssalim Y, Aksouh F, Almsalam R, ALQahtani M, Sayyed MI, Almasoud F. Development of New Lead-Free Composite Materials as Potential Radiation Shields. MATERIALS 2021; 14:ma14174957. [PMID: 34501047 PMCID: PMC8434293 DOI: 10.3390/ma14174957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Utilizing a polymer-based radiation shield offers lightweight, low cost, non-toxic compared to lead and solution for eliminating generated secondary neutrons. Incorporating silicon (i.e., one of the most abundant elements) in new applications, such as shielding, would have an impact on the economy and industry. In this study, seven potential shielding materials, composed of silicon, silicon carbide, and boron carbide embedded ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers, are proposed. The shielding performance of these composite materials, including the attenuation coefficients (µ), the mass attenuation coefficients (µm), the half value layer (HVL), the mean free path (MFP), and the radiation protection efficiency (RPE) were examined using photon beams. Measured µm were verified against the calculated values. The averaged agreement was within ±7.4% between the experimental measurements and the theoretical calculation results. The HVL and MFP measured values for the polymer composites were lower than that for the pure EVA polymer, indicating the fillers in the polymers enhanced the shielding performance. The EVA + SiC (30%) and EVA + Si (15%) + B4C (15%) composites required the lowest thickness to stop 50% of the incident photons. The evaluation of experimental results of the RPE revealed that the polymer composites containing SiC (30%), Si (15%) + B4C (15%), or SiC (15%) + B4C (15%) succeeded in blocking 90-91% of X-rays at nearly 80 keV. However, a thicker shield of the proposed composite materials or combined layers with other high-Z materials could be used for higher energies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansour Almurayshid
- Nuclear Science Research Institute (NSRI), King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.); (Y.A.); (R.A.); (M.A.); or (F.A.)
| | - Yousif Alssalim
- Nuclear Science Research Institute (NSRI), King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.); (Y.A.); (R.A.); (M.A.); or (F.A.)
| | - Farouk Aksouh
- Physics & Astronomy Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Rashed Almsalam
- Nuclear Science Research Institute (NSRI), King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.); (Y.A.); (R.A.); (M.A.); or (F.A.)
| | - Meshari ALQahtani
- Nuclear Science Research Institute (NSRI), King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.); (Y.A.); (R.A.); (M.A.); or (F.A.)
| | - M. I. Sayyed
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Isra University, Amman 11622, Jordan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence:
| | - Fahad Almasoud
- Nuclear Science Research Institute (NSRI), King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.); (Y.A.); (R.A.); (M.A.); or (F.A.)
- Department of Soil Sciences, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia
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Marcotte EL, Spector LG, Mendes-de-Almeida DP, Nelson HH. The Prenatal Origin of Childhood Leukemia: Potential Applications for Epidemiology and Newborn Screening. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:639479. [PMID: 33968846 PMCID: PMC8102903 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.639479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood leukemias are heterogeneous diseases with widely differing incident rates worldwide. As circulating tumors, childhood acute leukemias are uniquely accessible, and their natural history has been described in greater detail than for solid tumors. For several decades, it has been apparent that most cases of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) initiate in utero. Circumstantial evidence in support of this contention includes the young age of onset and high rate of concordance among identical twins. "Backtracking" of leukemic somatic mutations, particularly gene translocations, to cord blood and dried blood spots collected during the perinatal period has provided molecular proof of prenatal leukemogenesis. Detection of a patient's leukemia translocation in easily accessible birth samples, such as dried blood spots, is straightforward with the knowledge of their idiosyncratic breakpoints. However, to translate these findings into population-based screening and leukemia prevention requires novel methods able to detect translocations at all possible breakpoints when present in a low frequency of cells. Several studies have attempted to screen for leukemic translocations, mainly the common ETV6-RUNX1 translocation, in cord blood samples from healthy children. Most studies have reported finding translocations in healthy children, but estimates of prevalence have varied widely and greatly exceed the incidence of leukemia, leading to concerns that technical artifact or contamination produced an artificially inflated estimate of translocation prevalence at birth. New generation techniques that capture the presence of these translocations at birth have the potential to vastly increase our understanding of the epidemiology of acute leukemias. For instance, if leukemic translocations are present at birth in a far higher proportion of children than eventually develop acute leukemia, what are the exposures and somatic molecular events that lead to disease? And could children with translocations present at birth be targeted for prevention of disease? These questions must be answered before large-scale newborn screening for leukemia can occur as a public health initiative. Here, we review the literature regarding backtracking of acute leukemias and the prevalence of leukemic translocations at birth. We further suggest an agenda for epidemiologic research using new tools for population screening of leukemic translocations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin L. Marcotte
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Logan G. Spector
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Daniela P. Mendes-de-Almeida
- Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Hematology, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Heather H. Nelson
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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Kendall GM, Little MP, Wakeford R. A review of studies of childhood cancer and natural background radiation. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 97:769-781. [PMID: 33395329 PMCID: PMC10686050 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2020.1867926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The projected existence and magnitude of carcinogenic effects of ionizing radiation at low doses and low-dose rates is perhaps the most important issue in radiation protection today. Studies of childhood cancer and natural background radiation have the potential to throw direct light on this question, into a dose range below a few tens of mSv. This paper describes the studies that have been undertaken and their context, discusses some problems that arise and summarizes the present position. CONCLUSIONS Many such studies have been undertaken, but most were too small to have a realistic chance of detecting the small effects expected from such low doses, based on risk projections from higher exposures. Case-control or cohort studies are to be preferred methodologically to ecological studies but can be prone to problems of registration/participation bias. Interview-based studies of the requisite size would be prohibitively expensive and would undoubtedly also run into problems of participation bias. Register-based studies can be very large and are free of participation bias. However, they need to estimate the radiation exposure of study subjects using models rather than individual measurements in the homes of those concerned. At present, no firm conclusions can be drawn from the studies that have been published to date. Further data and perhaps pooled studies offer a way forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald M Kendall
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, UK
| | - Mark P Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Richard Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Lupo PJ, Spector LG. Cancer Progress and Priorities: Childhood Cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020; 29:1081-1094. [DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-19-0941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Mazzei-Abba A, Folly CL, Coste A, Wakeford R, Little MP, Raaschou-Nielsen O, Kendall G, Hémon D, Nikkilä A, Spix C, Auvinen A, Spycher BD. Epidemiological studies of natural sources of radiation and childhood cancer: current challenges and future perspectives. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2020; 40:R1-R23. [PMID: 31751953 PMCID: PMC10654695 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ab5a38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The empirical estimation of cancer risks in children associated with low-dose ionising radiation (<100 mSv) remains a challenge. The main reason is that the required combination of large sample sizes with accurate and comprehensive exposure assessment is difficult to achieve. An international scientific workshop, 'Childhood cancer and background radiation', organised by the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine of the University of Bern, brought together researchers in this field to evaluate how epidemiological studies of background radiation and childhood cancer can best improve our understanding of the effects of low-dose ionising radiation. This review summarises and evaluates the findings of these studies with regard to their methodological differences, identifies key limitations and challenges, and proposes ways to move forward. Large childhood cancer registries, such as those in Great Britain, France and Germany, now permit the conducting of studies that should have sufficient statistical power to detect the effects predicted by standard risk models. Nevertheless, larger studies or pooled studies will be needed to investigate disease subgroups. The main challenge is to accurately assess children's individual exposure to radiation from natural sources and from other sources, as well as potentially confounding non-radiation exposures, in such large study populations. For this, the study groups should learn from each other to improve exposure estimation and develop new ways to validate exposure models with personal dosimetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Mazzei-Abba
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Kendall GM, Chernyavskiy P, Appleton JD, Miles JCH, Wakeford R, Athanson M, Vincent TJ, McColl NP, Little MP. Modelling the bimodal distribution of indoor gamma-ray dose-rates in Great Britain. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2018; 57:321-347. [PMID: 30132159 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-018-0752-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Gamma radiation from naturally occurring sources (including directly ionizing cosmic-rays) is a major component of background radiation. An understanding of the magnitude and variation of doses from these sources is important, and the ability to predict them is required for epidemiological studies. In the present paper, indoor measurements of naturally occurring gamma-rays at representative locations in Great Britain are summarized. It is shown that, although the individual measurement data appear unimodal, the distribution of gamma-ray dose-rates when averaged over relatively small areas, which probably better represents the underlying distribution with inter-house variation reduced, appears bimodal. The dose-rate distributions predicted by three empirical and geostatistical models are also bimodal and compatible with the distributions of the areally averaged dose-rates. The distribution of indoor gamma-ray dose-rates in the UK is compared with those in other countries, which also tend to appear bimodal (or possibly multimodal). The variation of indoor gamma-ray dose-rates with geology, socio-economic status of the area, building type, and period of construction are explored. The factors affecting indoor dose-rates from background gamma radiation are complex and frequently intertwined, but geology, period of construction, and socio-economic status are influential; the first is potentially most influential, perhaps, because it can be used as a general proxy for local building materials. Various statistical models are tested for predicting indoor gamma-ray dose-rates at unmeasured locations. Significant improvements over previous modelling are reported. The dose-rate estimates generated by these models reflect the imputed underlying distribution of dose-rates and provide acceptable predictions at geographical locations without measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Kendall
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, NDPH, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK.
| | - P Chernyavskiy
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, DHHS, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Ross Hall 331, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82071-3036, USA
| | - J D Appleton
- British Geological Survey, Kingsley Dunham Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK
| | - J C H Miles
- , Nobles Close, Grove, Oxfordshire, OX12 0NR, UK
| | - R Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute of Population Health, The University of Manchester, Ellen Wilkinson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - M Athanson
- Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG, UK
| | - T J Vincent
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, University of Oxford, New Richards Building, Old Road, Oxford, UK
| | - N P McColl
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Didcot Oxon, OX11 0RQ, UK
| | - M P Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, DHHS, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA
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Oancea SC, Rundquist BC, Simon I, Swartz S, Zheng Y, Zhou X, Sens MA, Schwartz GG. County level incidence rates of chronic lymphocytic leukemia are associated with residential radon levels. Future Oncol 2017; 13:1873-1881. [PMID: 28835109 PMCID: PMC5618932 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2017-0165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: We previously reported that incidence rates for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) among US states are significantly correlated with levels of residential radon (RR). Because these correlations could be influenced by confounding and/or misclassification among large geographic units, we reinvestigated them using smaller geographic units that better reflect exposure and disease at the individual level. Methods: We examined the relationships between CLL and RR per county in 478 counties with publicly-available data. Results: After adjustment for ultraviolet radiation, a possible risk factor for CLL, county rates for CLL and RR were significantly correlated among males and females both together and separately (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: CLL is significantly associated with RR at the county level.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Cristina Oancea
- Department of Population Health, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
| | - Bradley C Rundquist
- Department of Geography & Geographic Information Science, University of North Dakota, College of Arts & Sciences, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
| | - Isaac Simon
- Department of Earth System Science & Policy, University of North Dakota, John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, 58202, USA
| | - Sami Swartz
- Department of Geography & Geographic Information Science, University of North Dakota, College of Arts & Sciences, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
| | - Yun Zheng
- Department of Pathology, University of North Dakota, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
| | - Xudong Zhou
- Department of Pathology, University of North Dakota, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
| | - Mary Ann Sens
- Department of Pathology, University of North Dakota, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
| | - Gary G Schwartz
- Department of Population Health, School of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USA
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Kheifets L, Swanson J, Yuan Y, Kusters C, Vergara X. Comparative analyses of studies of childhood leukemia and magnetic fields, radon and gamma radiation. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2017; 37:459-491. [PMID: 28586320 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/aa5fc7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In this paper we compare the findings of epidemiologic studies of childhood leukemia that examined at least two of ELF magnetic fields and/or distance to power lines, and exposure to radon and gamma radiation or distance to nuclear plants. Many of the methodologic aspects are common to studies of non-ionising (i.e. ELF-MF) and ionising radiation. A systematic search and review of studies with more than one exposure under study identified 33 key and 35 supplementary papers from ten countries that have been included in this review. Examining studies that have looked at several radiation exposures, and comparing similarities and differences for the different types of radiation, through the use of directed acyclic graphs, we evaluate to what extent bias, confounding and other methodological issues might be operating in these studies. We found some indication of bias, although results are not clear cut. There is little evidence that confounding has had a substantial influence on results. Influence of the residential mobility on the study conduct and interpretation is complex and can manifest as a selection bias, confounding, increased measurement error or could also be a potential risk factor. Other factors associated with distance to power lines and to nuclear power plants should be investigated. A more complete and consistent reporting of results in the future studies will allow for a more informative comparison across studies and integration of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leeka Kheifets
- University of California Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - John Swanson
- National Grid, 1-3 Strand, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yingzhe Yuan
- University of California Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Cynthia Kusters
- University of California Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Ximena Vergara
- University of California Los Angeles, United States of America
- Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA, United States of America
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Hardell L. From Phenoxyacetic Acids to Cellular Telephones: Is There Historical Evidence for the Precautionary Principle in Cancer Prevention? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH SERVICES 2016; 34:25-37. [PMID: 15088671 DOI: 10.2190/f2lw-ykmv-t40y-tq5y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the late 1970s, the author and his colleagues published the first scientific evidence of an association between exposure to phenoxyacetic acids and chlorophenols and certain malignant tumors; the study subjects were also exposed to contaminating dioxins such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin (TCDD). The results have been corroborated in other studies. Over the years, industry and its allied experts have attacked these studies, but in 1997 IARC classified TCDD as a human carcinogen, Group I. The author and colleagues found an increased risk of non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) for subjects exposed to these chemicals or to some persistent organic pollutants; the increasing incidence in Sweden leveled off in about 1990. The author postulated that the regulation of or ban on these chemicals in Sweden in the 1970s contributed to the now decreasing incidence of NHL. Recent findings of an association between cellular telephones and brain tumors have provoked much unfounded criticism from industry and from the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority. Thus the precautionary principle is prohibited and early warnings of a cancer risk ignored. The experience of cancer risks from certain chlorinated phenols may serve as a model of how the precautionary principle could be used to take early warnings seriously. Unfortunately, the lessons of history seem to go unheeded, as exemplified by the case of cellular telephones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lennart Hardell
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden.
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Kendall GM, Wakeford R, Athanson M, Vincent TJ, Carter EJ, McColl NP, Little MP. Levels of naturally occurring gamma radiation measured in British homes and their prediction in particular residences. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2016; 55:103-124. [PMID: 26880257 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-016-0635-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 12/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Gamma radiation from natural sources (including directly ionising cosmic rays) is an important component of background radiation. In the present paper, indoor measurements of naturally occurring gamma rays that were undertaken as part of the UK Childhood Cancer Study are summarised, and it is shown that these are broadly compatible with an earlier UK National Survey. The distribution of indoor gamma-ray dose rates in Great Britain is approximately normal with mean 96 nGy/h and standard deviation 23 nGy/h. Directly ionising cosmic rays contribute about one-third of the total. The expanded dataset allows a more detailed description than previously of indoor gamma-ray exposures and in particular their geographical variation. Various strategies for predicting indoor natural background gamma-ray dose rates were explored. In the first of these, a geostatistical model was fitted, which assumes an underlying geologically determined spatial variation, superimposed on which is a Gaussian stochastic process with Matérn correlation structure that models the observed tendency of dose rates in neighbouring houses to correlate. In the second approach, a number of dose-rate interpolation measures were first derived, based on averages over geologically or administratively defined areas or using distance-weighted averages of measurements at nearest-neighbour points. Linear regression was then used to derive an optimal linear combination of these interpolation measures. The predictive performances of the two models were compared via cross-validation, using a randomly selected 70 % of the data to fit the models and the remaining 30 % to test them. The mean square error (MSE) of the linear-regression model was lower than that of the Gaussian-Matérn model (MSE 378 and 411, respectively). The predictive performance of the two candidate models was also evaluated via simulation; the OLS model performs significantly better than the Gaussian-Matérn model.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Kendall
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK.
| | - R Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute of Population Health, The University of Manchester, Ellen Wilkinson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - M Athanson
- Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG, UK
| | - T J Vincent
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, University of Oxford, New Richards Building, Old Road, Oxford, UK
| | - E J Carter
- Earth Heritage Trust, Geological Records Centre, University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ, UK
| | - N P McColl
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, UK
| | - M P Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, DHHS, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA
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Kendall GM, Wakeford R, Bunch KJ, Vincent TJ, Little MP. Residential mobility and associated factors in relation to the assessment of exposure to naturally occurring radiation in studies of childhood cancer. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2015; 35:835-868. [PMID: 26512630 DOI: 10.1088/0952-4746/35/4/835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Migration, that is the study subjects moving from one residential address to another, is a complication for epidemiological studies where exposures to the agent of interest depend on place of residence [corrected]. In this paper we explore migration in cases from a large British case-control study of childhood cancer and natural background radiation. We find that 44% of cases had not moved house between birth and diagnosis, and about two-thirds were living within 2 km of their residence at birth. The estimated dose at the diagnosis address was strongly correlated with that at the birth address, suggesting that use of just the birth address in this case-control study does not lead to serious bias in risk estimates. We also review other individual-based studies of naturally occurring radiation, with particular emphasis on those from Great Britain. Interview-based case-control and cohort studies can potentially establish full residential histories for study subjects and make direct measurements of radiation levels in the dwellings in question. However, in practice, because of study size and difficulties in obtaining adequate response rates, interview-based studies generally do not use full residential histories, and a substantial proportion of dose estimates often derive from models rather than direct measurements. More seriously, problems of incomplete response may lead to bias, not just to loss of power. Record-based case-control studies, which do not require direct contact with study subjects, avoid such problems, but at the expense of having only model-based exposure estimates that use databases of measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Kendall
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
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Spycher BD, Lupatsch JE, Zwahlen M, Röösli M, Niggli F, Grotzer MA, Rischewski J, Egger M, Kuehni CE. Background ionizing radiation and the risk of childhood cancer: a census-based nationwide cohort study. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2015; 123:622-8. [PMID: 25707026 PMCID: PMC4455589 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1408548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to medium or high doses of ionizing radiation is a known risk factor for cancer in children. The extent to which low-dose radiation from natural sources contributes to the risk of childhood cancer remains unclear. OBJECTIVES In a nationwide census-based cohort study, we investigated whether the incidence of childhood cancer was associated with background radiation from terrestrial gamma and cosmic rays. METHODS Children < 16 years of age in the Swiss National Censuses in 1990 and 2000 were included. The follow-up period lasted until 2008, and incident cancer cases were identified from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry. A radiation model was used to predict dose rates from terrestrial and cosmic radiation at locations of residence. Cox regression models were used to assess associations between cancer risk and dose rates and cumulative dose since birth. RESULTS Among 2,093,660 children included at census, 1,782 incident cases of cancer were identified including 530 with leukemia, 328 with lymphoma, and 423 with a tumor of the central nervous system (CNS). Hazard ratios for each millisievert increase in cumulative dose of external radiation were 1.03 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.05) for any cancer, 1.04 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.08) for leukemia, 1.01 (95% CI: 0.96, 1.05) for lymphoma, and 1.04 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.08) for CNS tumors. Adjustment for a range of potential confounders had little effect on the results. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that background radiation may contribute to the risk of cancer in children, including leukemia and CNS tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben D Spycher
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Molecular characterization of TP53 gene in human populations exposed to low-dose ionizing radiation. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:303486. [PMID: 23586029 PMCID: PMC3613089 DOI: 10.1155/2013/303486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Revised: 12/19/2012] [Accepted: 12/24/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ionizing radiation, such as that emitted by uranium, may cause mutations and consequently lead to neoplasia in human cells. The TP53 gene acts to maintain genomic integrity and constitutes an important biomarker of susceptibility. The present study investigated the main alterations observed in exons 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the TP53 gene and adjacent introns in Amazonian populations exposed to radioactivity. Samples were collected from 163 individuals. Occurrence of the following alterations was observed: (i) a missense exchange in exon 4 (Arg72Pro); (ii) 2 synonymous exchanges, 1 in exon 5 (His179His), and another in exon 6 (Arg213Arg); (iii) 4 intronic exchanges, 3 in intron 7 (C → T at position 13.436; C → T at position 13.491; T → G at position 13.511) and 1 in intron 8 (T → G at position 13.958). Alteration of codon 72 was found to be an important risk factor for cancer development (P = 0.024; OR = 6.48; CI: 1.29–32.64) when adjusted for age and smoking. Thus, TP53 gene may be an important biomarker for carcinogenesis susceptibility in human populations exposed to ionizing radiation.
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Tong J, Qin L, Cao Y, Li J, Zhang J, Nie J, An Y. Environmental radon exposure and childhood leukemia. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2012; 15:332-347. [PMID: 22852813 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2012.689555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Despite the fact that animal and human epidemiological studies confirmed a link between radon exposure in homes and increased risk of lung cancer in general population, other types of cancers induced by radon, such as leukemia, have not been consistently demonstrated. The aim of this review was to summarize data published thus far from ecological and case-control studies in exposed populations, taking into account radon dose estimation and evidence of radon-induced genotoxicity, in an effort to clarify the correlation between home radon exposure and incidence of childhood leukemia. Among 12 ecological studies, 11 reported a positive association between radon levels and elevated frequency of childhood leukemia, with 8 being significant. In conjunction with ecological studies, several case-control studies on indoor radon exposure and childhood leukemia were examined, and most investigations indicated a weak association with only a few showing significance. A major source of uncertainty in radon risk assessment is radon dose estimate. Methods for radon exposure measurement in homes of children are one of the factors that affect the risk estimates in a case-control study. The effects of radon-induced genetic damage were studied both in vitro and in vivo using genetic endpoints including chromosomal aberration (CA), micronuclei (MN) formation, gene mutation, and deletions and insertions. By applying a meta-analysis, an increased risk of childhood leukemia induced by indoor radon exposure was noted for overall leukemia and for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Data thus indicated an association between environmental radon exposure and elevated leukemia incidence, but more evidence is required in both human investigations and animal mechanistic research before this assumption may be confirmed with certainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Tong
- School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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16
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Abstract
The acute leukaemias account for about 30% of all malignancy seen in childhood across the Western world. A peak incidence of precursor B cell ALL has emerged as socio-economic conditions have improved in countries worldwide. From twin studies and the use of neonatal blood spots it has been possible to back track the first initiating genetic events within critical haemopoietic cells to foetal development in utero for most precursor B cell ALL and some cases of AML. These events may occur as part of normal foetal development. Whether other factors (environmental or constitutional) are involved to increase the chance of these first genetic changes happening is unclear. For some leukaemias (e.g. infant MLL positive ALL) the first event appears adequate to create a malignant clone but for the majority of ALL and AML further 'genetic' changes are required, probably postnatal. Many environmental factors have been proposed as causative for leukaemia but only ionising irradiation and certain chemicals, e.g. benzene and cytotoxics (alkylators and topoisomerase II inhibitors) have been confirmed and then principally for acute myeloid leukaemia. It appears increasingly likely that delayed, dysregulated responses to 'common' infectious agents play a major part in the conversion of pre-leukaemic clones into overt precursor B cell ALL, the most common form of childhood leukaemia. Constitutional polymorphic alleleic variants in immune response genes (especially the HLA Class II proteins) and cytokines may play a role in determining the type of immune response. High penetrance germ-line mutations are involved in only about 5% of childhood leukaemias (more in AML than ALL). There is little evidence to support any role of viral transformation in causation, unlike in animals. Other environmental factors for which some evidence exists include non-ionising electromagnetic radiation and electric fields, although their mode of action in leukaemogenesis remains unclear. There is no single cause for childhood leukaemia and for most individuals a combination of factors appears to be necessary; all involving gene-environment interactions. To date few clear preventative measures have emerged, except the complete avoidance of first trimester X-rays in pregnancy; a healthy diet with adequate oral folic acid intake both preconception and early in pregnancy; and the early exposure of children to other children outside the home to facilitate stimulation and maturation of the natural immune system. Here then are clear echoes of the "hygiene hypothesis" regarding the initiation of allergies, autoimmune disease and type I diabetes mellitus in children and young people.
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Cytogenetic biomonitoring of inhabitants of a large uranium mineralization area: the municipalities of Monte Alegre, Prainha, and Alenquer, in the State of Pará, Brazil. Cell Biol Toxicol 2010; 26:403-19. [DOI: 10.1007/s10565-010-9152-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2009] [Accepted: 01/20/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Abstract
This review considers recent studies regarding the role of environmental factors in the etiology of childhood leukemia and lymphoma. Potential environmental risk factors identified for childhood leukemia include exposure to magnetic fields of more than 0.4 micro Tessla, exposure to pesticides, solvents, benzene and other hydrocarbons, maternal alcohol consumption (but only for certain genotypes), contaminated drinking water, infections, and high birth weight. The finding of space-time clustering and seasonal variation also supports a role for infections. There is little evidence linking childhood leukemia with lifetime exposure to ionizing radiation although fetal exposures to X-rays are associated with increased risk. Breast-feeding, consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables and having allergies all appear to be protective. Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is confined to areas of the world where malaria is endemic, with the additional involvement of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as a co-factor. Environmental risk factors suggested for other types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) include exposure to ionizing radiation (both lifetime and antenatal), pesticides, and, in utero exposure to cigarette smoke, benzene and nitrogen dioxide (via the mother). Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is especially associated with higher levels of socioeconomic deprivation, but breast-feeding seems to confer lower risk. This is consistent with an infection or immune-response mediated etiology for HL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Q McNally
- School of Clinical Medical Sciences, Child Health, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
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19
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Lifestyle-related factors and environmental agents causing cancer: an overview. Biomed Pharmacother 2007; 61:640-58. [PMID: 18055160 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2007.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2007] [Accepted: 10/10/2007] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing incidence of a variety of cancers after the Second World War confronts scientists with the question of their origin. In Western countries, expansion and ageing of the population as well as progress in cancer detection using new diagnostic and screening tests cannot fully account for the observed growing incidence of cancer. Our hypothesis is that environmental factors play a more important role in cancer genesis than it is usually agreed. (1) Over the last 2-3 decades, alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking in men have significantly decreased in Western Europe and North America. (2) Obesity is increasing in many countries, but the growing incidence of cancer also concerns cancers not related to obesity nor to other known lifestyle-related factors. (3) There is evidence that the environment has changed over the time period preceding the recent rise in cancer incidence, and that this change, still continuing, included the accumulation of many new carcinogenic factors in the environment. (4) Genetic susceptibility to cancer due to genetic polymorphism cannot have changed over one generation and actually favours the role of exogenous factors through gene-environment interactions. (5) Age is not the unique factor to be considered since the rising incidence of cancers is seen across all age categories, including children, and adolescents. (6) The fetus is specifically vulnerable to exogenous factors. A fetal exposure during a critical time window may explain why current epidemiological studies may still be negative in adults. We therefore propose that the involuntary exposure to many carcinogens in the environment, including microorganisms (viruses, bacteria and parasites), radiations (radioactivity, UV and pulsed electromagnetic fields) and many xenochemicals, may account for the recent growing incidence of cancer and therefore that the risk attributable to environmental carcinogen may be far higher than it is usually agreed. Of major concern are: outdoor air pollution by carbon particles associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; indoor air pollution by environmental tobacco smoke, formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds such as benzene and 1,3 butadiene, which may particularly affect children and food contamination by food additives and by carcinogenic contaminants such as nitrates, pesticides, dioxins and other organochlorines. In addition, carcinogenic metals and metalloids, pharmaceutical medicines and some ingredients and contaminants in cosmetics may be involved. Although the risk fraction attributable to environmental factors is still unknown, this long list of carcinogenic and especially mutagenic factors supports our working hypothesis according to which numerous cancers may in fact be caused by the recent modification of our environment.
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Li JX, Fu CL, Chen R, Sun J, Nie JH, Tong J. Screening of differential expression genes in bone marrow cells of radon-exposed mice. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2007; 70:964-9. [PMID: 17479412 DOI: 10.1080/15287390701290766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
This study was designed to screen for differential expression genes in bone marrow cells of mice exposed to radon inhalation. Based upon established pathological findings in mouse, differential screening of gene expressions was conducted by using the SSH method. Among 285 cDNA clones selected from both forward- and reverse subtracted libraries, 45 were chosen for their differential expressions based on reverse Northern blot and quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Of these, up-regulation of the mRNA levels of E-cadherin and down-regulation of the replication protein A1 (RPA1) and casein kinase 1 delta (CKI delta) were also verified by a quantitative real-time PCR. Biological roles of these obtained cDNAs are described and the results of the screening may provide important clues for further investigations of the adverse molecular events induced by radon exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Xiang Li
- Department of Hygienic Toxicology, School of Radiation Medicine and Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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21
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Hwang SL, Guo HR, Hsieh WA, Hwang JS, Lee SD, Tang JL, Chen CC, Chang TC, Wang JD, Chang WP. Cancer risks in a population with prolonged low dose-rate gamma-radiation exposure in radiocontaminated buildings, 1983-2002. Int J Radiat Biol 2007; 82:849-58. [PMID: 17178625 DOI: 10.1080/09553000601085980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess cancer risks in a population that received prolonged low dose-rate gamma-irradiation for about 10 years as a result of occupying buildings containing 60Co-contaminated steel in Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHODS The cancer risks were compared with those populations with the same temporal and geographic characteristics in Taiwan by standardized incidence ratios (SIR), adjusted for age and gender. The association of cancer risks with excess cumulative exposure was further evaluated for their relative risks by the Poisson multiple regression analysis. RESULT A total of 7271 people were registered as the exposed population, with 101,560 person-years at risk. The average excess cumulative exposure was approximately 47.8 mSv (range < 1 - 2,363 mSv). A total of 141 exposed subjects with various cancers were observed, while 95 developed leukemia or solid cancers after more than 2 or 10 years initial residence in contaminated buildings respectively. The SIR were significantly higher for all leukemia except chronic lymphocytic leukemia (n = 6, SIR = 3.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2 - 7.4) in men, and marginally significant for thyroid cancers (n = 6, SIR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.0 - 5.7) in women. On the other hand, all cancers combined, all solid cancers combined were shown to exhibit significant exposure-dependent increased risks in individuals with the initial exposure before the age of 30, but not beyond this age. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that prolonged low dose-rate radiation exposure appeared to increase risks of developing certain cancers in specific subgroups of this population in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- S-L Hwang
- National Yangming University Medical School, Taipei City, Taiwan
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Buka I, Koranteng S, Osornio Vargas AR. Trends in childhood cancer incidence: review of environmental linkages. Pediatr Clin North Am 2007; 54:177-203, x. [PMID: 17306690 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2006.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cancer in children is rare and accounts for about 1% of all malignancies. In the developed world, however, it is the commonest cause of disease-related deaths in childhood, carrying with it a great economic and emotional cost. Cancers are assumed to be multivariate, multifactorial diseases that occur when a complex and prolonged process involving genetic and environmental factors interact in a multistage sequence. This article explores the available evidence for this process, primarily from the environmental linkages perspective but including some evidence of the genetic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irena Buka
- Paediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, Misericordia Hospital, 3 West, 16940 - 87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5R 4H5, Canada.
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Evrard AS, Hémon D, Billon S, Laurier D, Jougla E, Tirmarche M, Clavel J. Childhood leukemia incidence and exposure to indoor radon, terrestrial and cosmic gamma radiation. HEALTH PHYSICS 2006; 90:569-79. [PMID: 16691105 DOI: 10.1097/01.hp.0000198787.93305.35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
This study was undertaken to evaluate the ecological association between terrestrial and cosmic gamma radiation, indoor radon, and acute leukemia incidence among children under 15 y of age. From 1990 to 2001, 5,330 cases of acute leukemia were registered by the French National Registry of Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma. Exposure to terrestrial gamma radiation was based on measurements, using thermoluminescent dosimeters, at about 1,000 sites covering all the "Départements." In addition, 8,737 indoor terrestrial gamma dose rate measurements covering 62% of the "Départements" and 13,240 indoor radon concentration measurements covering all the "Départements" were made during a national campaign. Cosmic ray doses were estimated in each of the 36,363 "Communes" of France. There was no evidence of an ecological association between terrestrial gamma dose (range: 0.22-0.90 mSv y) or total gamma dose (range: 0.49-1.28 mSv y) and childhood acute leukemia incidence, for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), in univariate or multivariate regression analyses including indoor radon. A significant positive association between indoor radon (range: 22-262 Bq m) and AML incidence among children was observed and remained significant in multivariate regression analyses including either terrestrial gamma dose [SIR per 100 Bq m = 1.29 (1.09-1.53)] or total gamma dose [SIR per 100 Bq m = 1.29 (1.09-1.53)]. The study showed no ecological association between terrestrial gamma radiation and childhood leukemia for the range of variation in gamma dose rates observed in France. The moderate ecological association between childhood AML incidence and indoor radon does not appear to be confounded by terrestrial gamma dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Sophie Evrard
- INSERM U754, 16 Avenue Paul Vaillant-Couturier, F-94807 Villejuif Cedex, France.
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Tondel M, Hjalmarsson P, Hardell L, Carlsson G, Axelson O. Increase of regional total cancer incidence in north Sweden due to the Chernobyl accident? J Epidemiol Community Health 2005; 58:1011-6. [PMID: 15547062 PMCID: PMC1732641 DOI: 10.1136/jech.2003.017988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Is there any epidemiologically visible influence on the cancer incidence after the Chernobyl fallout in Sweden? DESIGN A cohort study was focused on the fallout of caesium-137 in relation to cancer incidence 1988-1996. SETTING In northern Sweden, affected by the Chernobyl accident in 1986, 450 parishes were categorised by caesium-137 deposition: < 3 (reference), 3-29, 30-39, 40-59, 60-79, and 80-120 kiloBecquerel/m(2). PARTICIPANTS All people 0-60 years living in these parishes in 1986 to 1987 were identified and enrolled in a cohort of 1 143 182 persons. In the follow up 22 409 incident cancer cases were retrieved in 1988-1996. A further analysis focused on the secular trend. MAIN RESULTS Taking age and population density as confounding factors, and lung cancer incidence in 1988-1996 and total cancer incidence in 1986-1987 by municipality as proxy confounders for smoking and time trends, respectively, the adjusted relative risks for the deposition categories were 1.00 (reference < 3 kiloBecquerel/m(2)), 1.05, 1.03, 1.08, 1.10, and 1.21. The excess relative risk was 0.11 per 100 kiloBecquerel/m(2) (95% CI 0.03 to 0.20). Considering the secular trend, directly age standardised cancer incidence rate differences per 100 000 person years between 1988 to 1996 and the reference period 1986-1987, were 30.3 (indicating a time trend in the reference category), 36.8, 42.0, 45.8, 50.1, and 56.4. No clear excess occurred for leukaemia or thyroid cancer. CONCLUSIONS Unless attributable to chance or remaining uncontrolled confounding, a slight exposure related increase in total cancer incidence has occurred in northern Sweden after the Chernobyl accident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Tondel
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden.
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25
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Billon S, Morin A, Caër S, Baysson H, Gambard JP, Backe JC, Rannou A, Tirmarche M, Laurier D. French population exposure to radon, terrestrial gamma and cosmic rays. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2005; 113:314-320. [PMID: 15713740 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/nch463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In France, natural sources account for most of the population exposure to ionising radiation. This exposure varies widely with area. Radon and gamma-ray exposure data come from national measurement campaigns; cosmic doses were calculated from city altitude. These data were corrected for season of measurement, housing characteristics and population density to study their relationship with health indicators. The crude average of indoor radon concentrations was 89 Bq m(-3), and the average corrected for season and housing characteristics was 83 Bq m(-3) (range over districts: 19-297). Weighting by district population density yielded a national average of 63 Bq m(-3). Gamma-ray dose rates averaged 55 nSv h(-1) (23-96) indoors and 46 nSv h(-1) (25-85) outdoors; corrections did not change the means. Corrected cosmic annual doses averaged 0.28 mSv (0.27-0.38). These corrections estimated the radiation exposure of the French population more accurately and represented its distribution well, thereby allowing its study as a cofactor in ecological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Billon
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Direction de la radioprotection de l'homme, Laboratoire d'épidémiologie, BP 17, 92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex, France
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26
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Toti S, Biggeri A, Forastiere F. Adult myeloid leukaemia and radon exposure: a Bayesian model for a case-control study with error in covariates. Stat Med 2005; 24:1849-64. [PMID: 15724266 DOI: 10.1002/sim.2064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The possible association between radon exposure in dwellings and adult myeloid leukaemia had been explored in an Italian province by a case-control study. A total of 44 cases and 211 controls were selected from death certificates file. No association had been found in the original study (OR = 0.58 for > 185 vs 80 < or = Bq/cm). Here we reanalyse the data taking into account the measurement error of radon concentration and the presence of missing data. A Bayesian hierarchical model with error in covariates is proposed which allows appropriate imputation of missing values. The general conclusion of no evidence of association with radon does not change, but a negative association is not observed anymore (OR = 0.99 for > 185 vs 80 < or = Bq/cm). After adjusting for residential house radon and gamma radiation, and for the multilevel data structure, geological features of the soil is associated with adult myeloid leukaemia risk (OR = 2.14, 95 per cent Cr.I. 1.0-5.5).
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Hanrahan LP, Anderson HA, Busby B, Bekkedal M, Sieger T, Stephenson L, Knobeloch L, Werner M, Imm P, Olson J. Wisconsin's environmental public health tracking network: information systems design for childhood cancer surveillance. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2004; 112:1434-1439. [PMID: 15471739 PMCID: PMC1247574 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.7150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2004] [Accepted: 08/03/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In this article we describe the development of an information system for environmental childhood cancer surveillance. The Wisconsin Cancer Registry annually receives more than 25,000 incident case reports. Approximately 269 cases per year involve children. Over time, there has been considerable community interest in understanding the role the environment plays as a cause of these cancer cases. Wisconsin's Public Health Information Network (WI-PHIN) is a robust web portal integrating both Health Alert Network and National Electronic Disease Surveillance System components. WI-PHIN is the information technology platform for all public health surveillance programs. Functions include the secure, automated exchange of cancer case data between public health-based and hospital-based cancer registrars; web-based supplemental data entry for environmental exposure confirmation and hypothesis testing; automated data analysis, visualization, and exposure-outcome record linkage; directories of public health and clinical personnel for role-based access control of sensitive surveillance information; public health information dissemination and alerting; and information technology security and critical infrastructure protection. For hypothesis generation, cancer case data are sent electronically to WI-PHIN and populate the integrated data repository. Environmental data are linked and the exposure-disease relationships are explored using statistical tools for ecologic exposure risk assessment. For hypothesis testing, case-control interviews collect exposure histories, including parental employment and residential histories. This information technology approach can thus serve as the basis for building a comprehensive system to assess environmental cancer etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence P Hanrahan
- Bureau of Health Information and Policy, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, 1 West Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53702, USA.
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Wiernik PH. Plasma cell myeloma and leukemia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 21:365-97. [PMID: 15338756 DOI: 10.1016/s0921-4410(03)21019-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter H Wiernik
- Our Lady of Mercy Cancer Center, New York Medical College, Bronx 10466, USA.
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Dreifaldt AC, Carlberg M, Hardell L. Increasing incidence rates of childhood malignant diseases in Sweden during the period 1960–1998. Eur J Cancer 2004; 40:1351-60. [PMID: 15177495 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2004.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2003] [Revised: 01/28/2004] [Accepted: 02/03/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
We analysed the trends in incidence rates of childhood cancer in Sweden. All cases of malignant diseases and benign brain tumours in children, 0-14 years old, reported to the Swedish Cancer Registry 1960 to 1998 were included, n=9298. Cases were classified according to the International Classification of Childhood Cancer. Average annual change in incidence rate was calculated to +1.01%, (95% confidence interval CI=0.80, 1.22). An increase in incidence rate per year was found for leukaemia, +0.85% (95% CI=0.42, 1.28), lymphomas +1.87% (95% CI=1.17, 2.58), CNS (central nervous system) tumours +1.45% (95% CI=1.02, 1.88), sympathetic nervous system tumours +1.61% (95% CI=0.79, 2.44), hepatic tumours +2.62% (95% CI=2.02, 3.21), and germ cell and gonadal tumours +1.21% (95% CI=0.23, 2.19). Of the CNS tumours, significant changes were seen for low-grade glioma/astrocytoma +2.10% (95% CI=1.41, 2.80), benign brain tumours +3.77% (95% CI=2.47, 5.10), and PNET/medulloblastoma +1.96% (95% CI=0.48, 3.46). Changes in diagnostic criteria and better diagnostic tools may have contributed to these results.
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Sichletidis LT, Tsiotsios I, Gavriilidis A, Chloros D, Konstantinidis T, Psarrakos K, Koufogiannis D, Siountas A, Filippou D. Deaths from Neoplasms and Detection of Radionuclides in Excised Human Lungs in the Eordea Basin, Greece. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003; 58:789-93. [PMID: 15859514 DOI: 10.3200/aeoh.58.12.789-793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Lignite contains various trace-metal natural radioactive contaminants. In the Eordea Basin, the most important lignite field in Greece, the authors conducted a proportional mortality ratio (PMR) study that compared the mortality rates of individuals who lived in the basin vs. a control group who resided in the city of Kilkis, over a 30-yr period. The following information was used in the study: (a) municipal registrations of deaths from neoplasms during the period from 1971 to 2000, and (b) detection of radioactive substances in samples obtained from excised lungs of individuals living in Eordea Basin who suffered from neoplasm. The corresponding registrations of deaths from neoplasm of the inhabitants of Kilkis, a city located outside the Eordea Basin, formed the control group. A diachronic increase of the PMR was detected as a result of neoplasms and, particularly, as a result of lung cancer in Eordea Basin. However, the above ratio did not exceed the corresponding PMR recorded in Kilkis. In 20 lung samples obtained from patients who had lived in Eordea Basin, and in 19 lung samples from patients in Kilkis, the activity of the radionuclides of uranium and thorium radioactive decay series, potassium-40, and cesium-137 was not higher than expected. No statistically significant difference was found between the inhabitants of the 2 regions, thus it was concluded that the increase in respiratory-system neoplasms was likely associated with the high prevalence of smoking among the regions' inhabitants. In future studies, a longer observation period and examination of more cases will be necessary to further investigate a possible association between radionuclides and lung neoplasms in the Eordea Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lazaros T Sichletidis
- Pulmonary Clinic, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Laboratory for the Investigation of Environmental Diseases, Thessaloniki, Greece
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