Increased Cancer Mortality and Incidence among Residents near a Petrochemical Complex in Taiwan
Resource
EPIDEMIOLOGY v.20 n.6 SUPPL. S pp.S184-S185
Journal
Epidemiology
Pages
S184-S185
Date Issued
2009
Date
2009
Author(s)
HU, SUH-WOAN
CHAN, CHANG-CHUAN
Abstract
ISEE-0595 Background and Objective: The No. 6 Naphtha Cracking Complex has 66 plants for oil refining and chemical manufacturing and a coal fired power plant and is the largest one in Taiwan. This study aimed to assess the cancer mortality and incidence for residents living around this petrochemical complex before and during its operation. Methods: The study areas included six townships located within 10 km of the complex, the exposed area, and their respective comparison township which located >10 km and upwind from the complex and was matched on the level of urbanization. Age-standardized mortality rates and incidence rates for total and specific cancers were estimated for these townships before and during different production periods, using year 1999 as the beginning of manufacturing processes with volatile organic compounds emissions from the complex. Results: The standardized mortality rates for total cancers and lung cancer in the productionyear4–6 period were significantly higher than those in the productionyear1–3 period, and the standardized mortality rates for liver cancer were significantly higher than those in the respective comparison townships before and during the production periods in two exposed townships. In five exposed townships, the standardized incidence rates for total cancer during the production periods were significantly higher than those before the production period. The standardized incidence rate for acute myeloid leukemia in the productionyear4–7 period was significantly higher than that in the productionyear1–3 period in the township where the complex located. The standardized incidence rates for liver cancer in two exposed townships and acute myeloid leukemia in one township were significantly higher than those in their respective comparison townships during the production periods. Conclusion: The mortality of total, lung and liver cancers and the incidence of total cancer, liver cancer and acute myeloid leukemia were significantly increased in the exposed areas near the petrochemical complex.
SDGs
Type
journal article