[Descriptive study of the environmental epidemiology of high lung cancer
incidence rate in Qujing, Yunnan, China].

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Qujing, located in Southwest China, is an area with an extremely high lung cancer incidence. Combustion of coal has exposed local people to great health hazards. The aim of this study is to achieve a thorough understanding of the relationship between environmental pollution and the high incidence of lung cancer in Qujing, Yunnan Province, China. The results would provide a scientific basis and support for the etiology of lung cancer, as well as suggestions on improving the environmental conditions in the area.

METHODS:

A total of 280 rural villages were selected through stratified cluster random sampling. Environmental background and pollution were investigated, including details on fuel type, coking plant, metal smelting, and chemical plant, among others. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the investigated factors.

RESULTS:

Out of the total number of local villages studied, 78.1% of those with high incidence often use smoky coal and coking. On the other hand, 78.8% of the low-incidence areas use smokeless coal or wood. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the coal type used for everyday life was a main risk factor related to lung cancer (P<0.05). Using smoky and coking coals create an alarmingly high risk for developing lung cancer. Meanwhile, smokeless coals and wood seemed to have no significant relationship to the lung cancer incidence.

CONCLUSIONS:

The fuel type used for everyday life is an important factor in the high incidence of lung cancer in Qujing. Evidently, the use of smoky coal and coke increased the incidence of lung cancer, whereas smokeless coal and wood seem to bring about the contrary.

• Authors: Linlin Zhang, Jihua Li, Yajie Wang, Guoping Wu, Fusheng Wei
• Journal: Zhongguo fei ai za zhi = Chinese journal of lung cancer (Zhongguo Fei Ai Za Zhi) Vol. 15 Issue 3 Pg. 159-63 (Mar 2012) ISSN: 1999-6187 [Electronic] China
• PMID: 22429579 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Coal

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Child
• China (epidemiology)
• Coal (adverse effects, analysis)
• Environmental Exposure (adverse effects)
• Environmental Pollution (adverse effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Incidence
• Lung Neoplasms (epidemiology, etiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Rural Population
• Young Adult