Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

A round-up of the ONWARDS phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the novel weekly insulin icodec in people with diabetes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research article

Colorectal cancer mortality and industrial pollution in Spain

Authors: Gonzalo López-Abente, Javier García-Pérez, Pablo Fernández-Navarro, Elena Boldo, Rebeca Ramis

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2012

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Records kept as a result of the implementation of Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) and the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) constitute a public inventory of industries, created by the European Commission, which is a valuable resource for monitoring industrial pollution. Our objective is to ascertain whether there might be excess colorectal cancer mortality among populations residing in the vicinity of Spanish industrial installations that are governed by the IPPC Directive and E-PRTR Regulation and report their emissions to air.

Methods

An ecological study was designed to examine colorectal cancer mortality at a municipal level (8098 Spanish towns), over the period 1997–2006. We conducted an exploratory "near vs. far" analysis to estimate the relative risks (RR) of towns situated at a distance of less than 2 km from industrial installations. The analysis was repeated for each of the 24 industrial groups. RR and their 95% credible/confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated on the basis of Poisson regression models, using two types of modelling: a) the conditional autoregressive Bayesian model proposed by Besag, York and Mollié, with explanatory variables; and b) a mixed regression model. Integrated nested Laplace approximations were used as a Bayesian inference tool.

Results

Statistically significant RRs were detected in the vicinity of mining industry (RR 1.258; 95%CI 1.082 - 1.463), paper and wood production (RR 1.071; 95%CI 1.007 – 1.140), food and beverage sector (RR 1.069; 95%CI 1.029 - 1.111), metal production and processing installations (RR 1.065; 95% CI 1.011 – 1.123) and ceramics (RR 1.050 ; 95%CI 1.004 – 1.099).

Conclusions

Given the exploratory nature of this study, it would seem advisable to check in other countries or with other designs, if the proximity of industries that emit pollutants into the air could be an added risk factor for colorectal cancer mortality. Nevertheless, some of the differences between men and women observed in the analyses of the industrial groups suggest that there may be a component of occupational exposure, little-studied in the case of cancers of the digestive system.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Ferlay J, Shin H, Bray F, Forman D, Mathers C, Parkin D: GLOBOCAN 2008, Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide: IARC CancerBase No. 10 [Internet]. 2010, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
2.
López-Abente G, Ardanaz E, Torrella-Ramos A, Mateos A, Delgado-Sanz C, Chirlaque MD: Changes in colorectal cancer incidence and mortality trends in Spain. Ann Oncol. 2010, 21 (Suppl 3): iii76-iii82.PubMed
3.
Center MM, Jemal A, Ward E: International trends in colorectal cancer incidence rates. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2009, 18: 1688-1694. 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-09-0090.CrossRefPubMed
4.
Garcia-Closas R, Berenguer A, González CA: Changes in food supply in Mediterranean countries from 1961 to 2001. Public Health Nutr. 2006, 9: 53-60.CrossRefPubMed
5.
Giovannucci E, Wu K: Cancers of the colon and rectum. Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention. 2006, Oxford University Press, New York, 809-829.CrossRef
6.
Aliyu OA, Cullen MR, Barnett MJ, Balmes JR, Cartmel B, Redlich CA, Brodkin CA, Barnhart S, Rosenstock L, Israel L, Goodman GE, Thornquist MD, Omenn GS: Evidence for excess colorectal cancer incidence among asbestos-exposed men in the Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial. Am J Epidemiol. 2005, 162: 868-878. 10.1093/aje/kwi285.CrossRefPubMed
7.
8.
Gamble J: Risk of gastrointestinal cancers from inhalation and ingestion of asbestos. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2008, 52: S124-S153. 10.1016/j.yrtph.2007.10.009.CrossRefPubMed
9.
Mirer F: Updated epidemiology of workers exposed to metalworking fluids provides sufficient evidence for carcinogenicity. Appl Occup Environ Hyg. 2003, 18: 902-912. 10.1080/10473220390237511.CrossRefPubMed
10.
Calvert GM, Ward E, Schnorr TM, Fine LJ: Cancer risks among workers exposed to metalworking fluids: a systematic review. Am J Ind Med. 1998, 33: 282-292. 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199803)33:3<282::AID-AJIM10>3.0.CO;2-W.CrossRefPubMed
11.
12.
Goldberg MS, Parent ME, Siemiatycki J, Désy M, Nadon L, Richardson L, Lakhani R, Latreille B, Valois MF: A case–control study of the relationship between the risk of colon cancer in men and exposures to occupational agents. Am J Ind Med. 2001, 39: 531-546. 10.1002/ajim.1052.CrossRefPubMed
13.
García-Pérez J, López-Cima MF, Pérez-Gómez B, Aragonés N, Pollán M, Vidal E, López-Abente G: Mortality due to tumours of the digestive system in towns lying in the vicinity of metal production and processing installations. Sci Total Environ. 2010, 408: 3102-3112. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.03.051.CrossRefPubMed
14.
García-Pérez J, López-Cima MF, Pollán M, Pérez-Gómez B, Aragonés N, Fernández-Navarro P, Ramis R, López-Abente G: Risk of dying of cancer in the vicinity of multiple pollutant sources associated with the metal industry. Environ Int. 2011, 40: 116-127.CrossRefPubMed
15.
García-Pérez J, Pollán M, Boldo E, Pérez-Gómez B, Aragonés N, Lope V, Ramis R, Vidal E, López-Abente G: Mortality due to lung, laryngeal and bladder cancer in towns lying in the vicinity of combustion installations. Sci Total Environ. 2009, 407: 2593-2602. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.12.062.CrossRefPubMed
16.
Monge-Corella S, García-Pérez J, Aragonés N, Pollán M, Pérez-Gómez B, López-Abente G: Lung cancer mortality in towns near paper, pulp and board industries in Spain: a point source pollution study. BMC Public Health. 2008, 8: 288-10.1186/1471-2458-8-288.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
17.
Ramis R, Vidal E, García-Pérez J, Lope V, Aragonés N, Pérez-Gómez B, Pollán M, López-Abente G: Study of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma mortality associated with industrial pollution in Spain, using Poisson models. BMC Public Health. 2009, 9: 26-10.1186/1471-2458-9-26.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
18.
García-Pérez J, Boldo E, Ramis R, Vidal E, Aragonés N, Pérez-Gómez B, Pollán M, López-Abente G: Validation of the geographic position of EPER-Spain industries. Int J Health Geogr. 2008, 7: 1-10.1186/1476-072X-7-1.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
19.
Besag J, York J, Mollié A: A bayesian image restoration with two applications in spatial statistics. Annals of the Institute of Statistics and Mathematics. 1991, 43: 1-59. 10.1007/BF00116466.CrossRef
20.
Ayuso-Orejana J, Fernández-Cuesta J, Plaza-Ibeas J: Anuario del mercado español. 1993, Banesto, Madrid
21.
22.
R Development Core Team: R: A language and environment for statistical computing. 2005, R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria
23.
Breslow NE, Day N: Statistical Methods in Cancer Research: Volume 2—The Design and Analysis of Cohort Studies. IARC Scientific Publications No. 82. 1987, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
24.
Gelman A, Hill J: Data Analysis Using Regression and Multilevel/Hierarchical Models. 2007, Cambridge University Press, New York
25.
López-Abente G, Ramis R, Pollán M, Aragones N, Pérez-Gómez B, Gómez-Barroso D, Carrasco J, Lope V, García-Pérez J, Boldo E, García-Mendizábal M: Atlas municipal de mortalidad por cáncer en España, 1989–1998. 2006, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid
26.
27.
de Marco R, Marcon A, Rava M, Cazzoletti L, Pironi V, Silocchi C, Ricci P: Proximity to chipboard industries increases the risk of respiratory and irritation symptoms in children: the Viadana study. Sci Total Environ. 2010, 408: 511-517. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.10.024.CrossRefPubMed
28.
Yang C-Y, Chang C-C, Tsai S-S, Chuang H-Y, Ho C-K, Wu T-N, Sung F-C: Preterm delivery among people living around Portland cement plants. Environ Res. 2003, 92: 64-68. 10.1016/S0013-9351(02)00055-5.CrossRefPubMed
29.
Granata T, Alfa M, Giuffrida D, Rando R, Dugo G: Contamination of the food products by lead, cadmium and copper in the area at risk of Gela (Sicily). Epidemiol Prev. 2011, 35: 94-100.PubMed
30.
Hsu MJ, Selvaraj K, Agoramoorthy G: Taiwan’s industrial heavy metal pollution threatens terrestrial biota. Environ Pollut. 2006, 143: 327-334. 10.1016/j.envpol.2005.11.023.CrossRefPubMed
31.
Rychen G, Jurjanz S, Toussaint H, Feidt C: Dairy Ruminant Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants and Excretion to Milk. Animal. 2008, 2: 312-323.CrossRefPubMed
32.
Vromman V, Saegerman C, Pussemier L, Huyghebaert A, De Temmerman L, Pizzolon J-C, Waegeneers N: Cadmium in the food chain near non-ferrous metal production sites. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess. 2008, 25: 293-301.CrossRefPubMed
33.
Sant M, Allemani C, Santaquilani M, Knijn A, Marchesi F, Capocaccia R: EUROCARE-4. Survival of cancer patients diagnosed in 1995–1999. Results and commentary. Eur J Cancer. 2009, 45: 931-991. 10.1016/j.ejca.2008.11.018.CrossRefPubMed
34.
Clayton DG, Bernardinelli L, Montomoli C: Spatial correlation in ecological analysis. Int J Epidemiol. 1993, 22: 1193-1202. 10.1093/ije/22.6.1193.CrossRefPubMed
35.
Ramis Prieto R, Garcia-Perez J, Pollan M, Aragones N, Perez-Gomez B, Lopez-Abente G: Modelling of municipal mortality due to haematological neoplasias in Spain. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2007, 61: 165-171. 10.1136/jech.2005.041491.CrossRefPubMed
36.
Rue H, Martino S, Chopin N: Approximate Bayesian inference for latent Gaussian models by using integrated nested Laplace approximations. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series B. 2009, 71: 319-392. 10.1111/j.1467-9868.2008.00700.x.CrossRef
37.
Richardson S, Thomson A, Best N, Elliott P: Interpreting posterior relative risk estimates in disease-mapping studies. Environ Health Perspect. 2004, 112: 1016-1025. 10.1289/ehp.6740.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
38.
Pérez-Gómez B, Aragonés N, Pollán M, Suárez B, Lope V, Llácer A, López-Abente G: Accuracy of cancer death certificates in Spain: a summary of available information. Gac Sanit. 2006, 20 (Suppl 3): 42-51.CrossRefPubMed
39.
Chow WH, Malker HS, Hsing AW, McLaughlin JK, Weiner JA, Stone BJ, Ericsson JL, Blot WJ: Occupational risks for colon cancer in Sweden. J Occup Med. 1994, 36: 647-651.PubMed
40.
Dumas S, Parent ME, Siemiatycki J, Brisson J: Rectal cancer and occupational risk factors: a hypothesis-generating, exposure-based case–control study. Int J Cancer. 2000, 87: 874-879. 10.1002/1097-0215(20000915)87:6<874::AID-IJC18>3.0.CO;2-L.CrossRefPubMed
41.
Bingham SA, Day NE, Luben R, Ferrari P, Slimani N, Norat T, Clavel-Chapelon F, Kesse E, Nieters A, Boeing H, Tjønneland A, Overvad K, Martinez C, Dorronsoro M, Gonzalez CA, Key TJ, Trichopoulou A, Naska A, Vineis P, Tumino R, Krogh V, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, Peeters PHM, Berglund G, Hallmans G, Lund E, Skeie G, Kaaks R, Riboli E: Dietary fibre in food and protection against colorectal cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC): an observational study. Lancet. 2003, 361: 1496-1501. 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13174-1.CrossRefPubMed
42.
Larsson SC, Wolk A: Obesity and colon and rectal cancer risk: a meta-analysis of prospective studies. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007, 86: 556-565.PubMed
43.
Ferrari P, Jenab M, Norat T, Moskal A, Slimani N, Olsen A, Tjønneland A, Overvad K, Jensen MK, Boutron-Ruault M-C, Clavel-Chapelon F, Morois S, Rohrmann S, Linseisen J, Boeing H, Bergmann M, Kontopoulou D, Trichopoulou A, Kassapa C, Masala G, Krogh V, Vineis P, Panico S, Tumino R, van Gils CH, Peeters P, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, Ocké MC, Skeie G, Lund E, et al: Lifetime and baseline alcohol intake and risk of colon and rectal cancers in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition (EPIC). Int J Cancer. 2007, 121: 2065-2072. 10.1002/ijc.22966.CrossRefPubMed
44.
van Duijnhoven FJB, Bueno-De-Mesquita HB, Ferrari P, Jenab M, Boshuizen HC, Ros MM, Casagrande C, Tjønneland A, Olsen A, Overvad K, Thorlacius-Ussing O, Clavel-Chapelon F, Boutron-Ruault M-C, Morois S, Kaaks R, Linseisen J, Boeing H, Nöthlings U, Trichopoulou A, Trichopoulos D, Misirli G, Palli D, Sieri S, Panico S, Tumino R, Vineis P, Peeters PH, van Gils CH, Ocké MC, Lund E, et al: Fruit, vegetables, and colorectal cancer risk: the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009, 89: 1441-1452. 10.3945/ajcn.2008.27120.CrossRefPubMed
45.
Clevers H: Colon cancer–understanding how NSAIDs work. N Engl J Med. 2006, 354: 761-763. 10.1056/NEJMcibr055457.CrossRefPubMed
46.
Fortuny J, Silverman D, Malats N, Tardón A, García-Closas R, Serra C, Carrato A, Rothman N, Dosemeci M, Kogevinas M: Use of analgesics and aspirin in a Spanish multicenter study. Gac Sanit. 2005, 19: 316-320. 10.1157/13078041.CrossRefPubMed
47.
Wang M, Song H, Chen W-Q, Lu C, Hu Q, Ren Z, Yang Y, Xu Y, Zhong A, Ling W: Cancer mortality in a Chinese population surrounding a multi-metal sulphide mine in Guangdong province: an ecologic study. BMC Public Health. 2011, 11: 319-10.1186/1471-2458-11-319.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
48.
Firth HM, Elwood JM, Cox B, Herbison GP: Historical cohort study of a New Zealand foundry and heavy engineering plant. Occup Environ Med. 1999, 56: 134-138. 10.1136/oem.56.2.134.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
49.
Métodos de medición y cálculo | PRTR España. http://​www.​prtr-es.​es/​fondo-documental/​metodos-de-medicion-y-calculo,15500,10,2007.html
50.
Wingren G: Mortality and cancer incidence in a Swedish art glassworks–an updated cohort study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2004, 77: 599-603. 10.1007/s00420-004-0553-y.CrossRefPubMed
51.
Arbman G, Axelson O, Fredriksson M, Nilsson E, Sjödahl R: Do occupational factors influence the risk of colon and rectal cancer in different ways?. Cancer. 1993, 72: 2543-2549. 10.1002/1097-0142(19931101)72:9<2543::AID-CNCR2820720906>3.0.CO;2-D.CrossRefPubMed
52.
Kishimoto T: Intensity of exposure to asbestos in metropolitan Kure City as estimated by autopsied cases. Cancer. 1992, 69: 2598-2602. 10.1002/1097-0142(19920515)69:10<2598::AID-CNCR2820691033>3.0.CO;2-X.CrossRefPubMed
53.
Puntoni R, Vercelli M, Merlo F, Valerio F, Santi L: Mortality among shipyard workers in Genoa, Italy. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1979, 330: 353-377. 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1979.tb18738.x.CrossRefPubMed
54.
Jakobsson K, Horstmann V, Welinder H: Mortality and cancer morbidity among cement workers. Br J Ind Med. 1993, 50: 264-272.PubMedPubMedCentral
55.
56.
Smailyte G, Kurtinaitis J, Andersen A: Mortality and cancer incidence among Lithuanian cement producing workers. Occup Environ Med. 2004, 61: 529-534. 10.1136/oem.2003.009936.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
57.
Domingo-Pérez C, Viruela-Martínez R: La creciente incorporación de mujeres valencianas al mercado laboral. Cuad de Geogr. 1998, 64: 425-444.
Metadata
Title
Colorectal cancer mortality and industrial pollution in Spain
Authors
Gonzalo López-Abente
Javier García-Pérez
Pablo Fernández-Navarro
Elena Boldo
Rebeca Ramis
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-589

Other articles of this Issue 1/2012

BMC Public Health 1/2012 Go to the issue

Study protocol

Design of a Web-based individual coping and alcohol-intervention program (web-ICAIP) for children of parents with alcohol problems: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Research article

A summary index of infant and child feeding practices is associated with child growth in urban Shanghai

Research article

What do we know about who does and does not attend general health checks? Findings from a narrative scoping review

Research article

The effects of social connections on self-rated physical and mental health among internal migrant and local adolescents in Shanghai, China

Research article

Persistent socioeconomic inequalities in cardiovascular risk factors in England over 1994-2008: A time-trend analysis of repeated cross-sectional data

Study protocol

Evaluation of a Dutch school-based depression prevention program for youths in highrisk neighborhoods: study protocol of a two-armed randomized controlled trial