Incidence of transitional cell carcinoma and arsenic in drinking water: A follow-up study of 8,102 residents in an arseniasis-endemic area in northeastern Taiwan
Journal
American Journal of Epidemiology
Journal Volume
153
Journal Issue
5
Pages
411-418
Date Issued
2001
Author(s)
Abstract
A significant association between ingested arsenic and bladder cancer has been reported in an arseniasisendemic area in southwestern Taiwan, where many households share only a few wells in their villages. In another arseniasis-endemic area in northeastern Taiwan, each household has its own well for obtaining drinking water. In 1991-1994, the authors examined risk of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in relation to ingested arsenic in a cohort of 8,102 residents in northeastern Taiwan. Estimation of each study subject's individual exposure to inorganic arsenic was based on the arsenic concentration in his or her own well water, which was determined by hydride generation combined with atomic absorption spectrometry. Information on duration of consumption of the well water was obtained through standardized questionnaire interviews. The occurrence of urinary tract cancers was ascertained by follow-up interview and by data linkage with community hospital records, the national death certification profile, and the cancer registry profile. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to estimate multivariate-adjusted relative risks and 95% confidence intervals. There was a significantly increased incidence of urinary cancers for the study cohort compared with the general population in Taiwan (standardized incidence ratio = 2.05; 95% confidence interval (Cl): 1.22, 3.24). A significant dose-response relation between risk of cancers of the urinary organs, especially TCC, and indices of arsenic exposure was observed after adjustment for age, sex, and cigarette smoking. The multivariate-adjusted relative risks of developing TCC were 1.9, 8.2, and 15.3 for arsenic concentrations of 10.1-50.0, 50.1-100, and >100 μg/liter, respectively, compared with the referent level of ?10.0 μg/liter.
SDGs
Other Subjects
arsenic; drinking water; well water; arsenic; cancer; drinking water; medical geography; arsenic poisoning; article; bladder cancer; cancer incidence; cancer risk; female; health hazard; human; major clinical study; male; Taiwan; transitional cell carcinoma; urinary tract cancer; water contamination; Adult; Arsenic; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell; Cohort Studies; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Environmental Exposure; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Proportional Hazards Models; Prospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Taiwan; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Water Pollutants; Water Supply; Taiwan
Type
journal article