« Previous AbstractMigration patterns of children with cancer in Britain    Next Abstract"Identifying Toxic Consumer Products: A Novel Data Set Reveals Air Emissions of Potent Carcinogens, Reproductive Toxicants, and Developmental Toxicants" »

J Epidemiol Community Health

Title:		Childhood cancers and atmospheric carcinogens
Author(s):		Knox EG;
Address:		"Mill Cottage, Front Street, Great Comberton, Pershore, Worcestershire WR10 3DU, UK"
Journal Title:		J Epidemiol Community Health
Year:		2005
Volume:		59
Issue:		2
Page Number:		101 - 105
DOI:		10.1136/jech.2004.021675
ISSN/ISBN:		0143-005X (Print) 1470-2738 (Electronic) 0143-005X (Linking)
Abstract:		"STUDY OBJECTIVES: To retest previous findings that childhood cancers are probably initiated by prenatal exposures to combustion process gases and to volatile organic compounds (VOCs); and to identify specific chemical hazards. DESIGN: Birth and death addresses of fatal child cancers in Great Britain between 1966 and 1980, were linked with high local atmospheric emissions of different chemical species. Among migrant children, distances from each address to the nearest emissions 'hotspot' were compared. Excesses of outward over inward migrations show an increased prenatal or early infancy risk. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Maps of emissions of many different substances were published on the internet by the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory and 'hotspots' for 2001 were translated to map coordinates. Child cancer addresses were extracted from an earlier inquiry into the carcinogenic effects of obstetric radiographs; and their postcodes translated to map references. MAIN RESULTS: Significant birth proximity relative risks were found within 1.0 km of hotspots for carbon monoxide, PM10 particles, VOCs, nitrogen oxides, benzene, dioxins, 1,3-butadiene, and benz(a)pyrene. Calculated attributable risks showed that most child cancers and leukaemias are probably initiated by such exposures. CONCLUSIONS: Reported associations of cancer birth places with sites of industrial combustion, VOCs uses, and associated engine exhausts, are confirmed. Newly identified specific hazards include the known carcinogens 1,3-butadiene, dioxins, and benz(a)pyrene. The mother probably inhales these or related materials and passes them to the fetus across the placenta"
Keywords:		"Adolescent Carcinogens/*toxicity Child Child, Preschool Environmental Exposure/*adverse effects Female Fossil Fuels/adverse effects Hazardous Substances/*toxicity Humans Infant Infant, Newborn Metals/toxicity Neoplasms/*chemically induced/mortality Organi;"
Notes:		"MedlineKnox, E G eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2005/01/15 J Epidemiol Community Health. 2005 Feb; 59(2):101-5. doi: 10.1136/jech.2004.021675"