549,838.
19 According to American Cancer Society, the estimated toll for 2003
was 556,500
20 – more than 1500 deaths per day.
The northeast region of the U.S. is known as a highly industrialized and
polluted area. This region also is known to have a particularly high incidence
of cancer. Studies carried out by the National Cancer Institute indicated that
areas close to the locations of iron and lead smelters have high rates of lung
cancer. Studies show that nearly 30% of the total mortality in several
industrialized countries is due to cancer.
21 Cancer incidence and mortality in
most of these countries have been consistently increasing in recent decades. In
particular, this trend is independent of the aging of the population.
In humans, the main sites where cancers develop include the brain and
nervous system, breast, colon and rectum, blood (leukemia), liver, lung and
bronchus, lymphatic system (Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma), ovary, pancreas,
and prostate.
19 Environmental factors (such as lifestyle, personal habits, diet,
chemicals and radiation, and infectious diseases) account for about three
quarters of all cancers. According to the American Cancer Society,
20 smoking,
obesity, and physical inactivity have a greater effect on individual cancer risk
than do exposure to trace amounts of pollutants in air, food, or drinking water.
However, the degree of risk from pollutants depends on the concentration,
intensity, and duration of exposure. Substantial evidence exists showing
significant increases in cancer risk in settings where workers have been exposed
to high levels of certain chemicals, such as heavy metals and organic
compounds, as well as from radiation.
As mentioned above, in the past 100 years, and particularly since World
War II, as a result of accelerating industrial development, a large number and
quantity of chemicals have been released into the environment. The release has
led to increased pollution of the air, water, and soil, potentially contaminating
food sources. Areas with industrial plants that manufacture soaps, rubber,
chemicals, and printing inks have high rates of bladder and liver cancer. A New
York Department of Health study has found that, in Nassau County, women
living within 1 km of a chemical, petroleum, rubber, or plastics facility were
60% more likely to develop postmenopausal breast cancer than were those
who lived in other parts of the country.
21
An alarming trend associated with cancer is the high incidence rate among
children in the U.S. An estimated 9000 new cases, and 1500 deaths, were
expected to occur among children aged 0 to 14 in 2003. About 30% of the
deaths are likely to have been from leukemia. Despite the rarity of childhood
cancer in the U.S., it is the chief cause of death by disease in children between
ages 1 and 14.
20 According to the National Cancer Institute, the rate of
increase has amounted to nearly 1% a year. Some experts in the field estimate
that a newborn child today faces a risk of about 1 in 600 of contracting cancer
by the age of 10. Although the reason for the high incidence rate of childhood
cancer in the U.S. remains unclear, some scientists suspect that exposure to
environmental pollutants by the pregnant mother or the children may be an
important factor. An encouraging piece of information was recently given by
Environmental Change and Health
23
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Ref: 4365 MING-HO YU Chap-002 Page: 23 13-30
19 According to American Cancer Society, the estimated toll for 2003
was 556,500
20 – more than 1500 deaths per day.
The northeast region of the U.S. is known as a highly industrialized and
polluted area. This region also is known to have a particularly high incidence
of cancer. Studies carried out by the National Cancer Institute indicated that
areas close to the locations of iron and lead smelters have high rates of lung
cancer. Studies show that nearly 30% of the total mortality in several
industrialized countries is due to cancer.
21 Cancer incidence and mortality in
most of these countries have been consistently increasing in recent decades. In
particular, this trend is independent of the aging of the population.
In humans, the main sites where cancers develop include the brain and
nervous system, breast, colon and rectum, blood (leukemia), liver, lung and
bronchus, lymphatic system (Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma), ovary, pancreas,
and prostate.
19 Environmental factors (such as lifestyle, personal habits, diet,
chemicals and radiation, and infectious diseases) account for about three
quarters of all cancers. According to the American Cancer Society,
20 smoking,
obesity, and physical inactivity have a greater effect on individual cancer risk
than do exposure to trace amounts of pollutants in air, food, or drinking water.
However, the degree of risk from pollutants depends on the concentration,
intensity, and duration of exposure. Substantial evidence exists showing
significant increases in cancer risk in settings where workers have been exposed
to high levels of certain chemicals, such as heavy metals and organic
compounds, as well as from radiation.
As mentioned above, in the past 100 years, and particularly since World
War II, as a result of accelerating industrial development, a large number and
quantity of chemicals have been released into the environment. The release has
led to increased pollution of the air, water, and soil, potentially contaminating
food sources. Areas with industrial plants that manufacture soaps, rubber,
chemicals, and printing inks have high rates of bladder and liver cancer. A New
York Department of Health study has found that, in Nassau County, women
living within 1 km of a chemical, petroleum, rubber, or plastics facility were
60% more likely to develop postmenopausal breast cancer than were those
who lived in other parts of the country.
21
An alarming trend associated with cancer is the high incidence rate among
children in the U.S. An estimated 9000 new cases, and 1500 deaths, were
expected to occur among children aged 0 to 14 in 2003. About 30% of the
deaths are likely to have been from leukemia. Despite the rarity of childhood
cancer in the U.S., it is the chief cause of death by disease in children between
ages 1 and 14.
20 According to the National Cancer Institute, the rate of
increase has amounted to nearly 1% a year. Some experts in the field estimate
that a newborn child today faces a risk of about 1 in 600 of contracting cancer
by the age of 10. Although the reason for the high incidence rate of childhood
cancer in the U.S. remains unclear, some scientists suspect that exposure to
environmental pollutants by the pregnant mother or the children may be an
important factor. An encouraging piece of information was recently given by
Environmental Change and Health
23
[16:55 26/8/04 P:/CRC PRESS/4365 MING-HO.751 (1670)/4365-002.3d]
Ref: 4365 MING-HO YU Chap-002 Page: 23 13-30