Association between PM2.5 and mortality of stomach and colorectal cancer in Xi’an: a time-series study

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2020-06, Vol.27 (18), p.22353-22363
• Main Authors: Ethan, Crystal Jane, Mokoena, Kingsley Katleho, Yu, Yan, Shale, Karabo, Fan, Yameng, Rong, Jie, Liu, Feng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Colorectal cancer; Colorectal carcinoma; colorectal neoplasms; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental science; Gastric cancer; Health problems; Investigations; Lung cancer; lung neoplasms; Mortality; Nitrogen dioxide; Particulate matter; particulates; Pollutant analysis; Pollutants; Public health; Research Article; Statistical methods; Stomach; stomach neoplasms; Sulfur dioxide; Time series; time series analysis; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08628-0

Globally, fine particulate matter has been associated with several health problems including cancer. However, most studies focused mainly on lung cancer. Stomach and colorectal cancers play significant roles in increasing public health’s cancer globally. This study focused on investigating a possible significant association between exposure to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) and mortality due to stomach and colorectal cancer in Xi’an from 2014 to 2016. Using time-series analysis, the study applied both single and multi-pollutant(s) approaches for investigations; PM 2.5 was the pollutant of interest. Generalized additive model (GAM) was the core statistical method used with the addition of distributed lag model (DLM) to observe delayed effects. As a single pollutant, PM 2.5 was significantly associated with stomach cancer mortality only RR (95%CI): 1.0003 (1.0001, 1.002). For the multi-pollutant analysis, PM 2.5 combinations with NO 2 were significantly associated with both stomach and colorectal cancer mortality RR (95%CI): 1.0103 (1.009, 1.021) and 1.054 (1.0324, 1.0667), respectively. Also, PM 2.5 combination with O 3 was significantly associated with colorectal cancer mortality, RR (95%CI): 1.0151 (1.0091, 1.0172), but no association was noted for combination with SO 2 . Though this study has reported significant associations, it will be beneficial for the public’s health if more studies further investigate the relationship between exposure to PM 2.5 and other cancer mortality.