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Pleural mesothelioma in New Caledonia: associations with environmental risk factors

Francine Baumann1, Pierre Maurizot, Morgan Mangeas

  • 1Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, Equipe de Recherche en Informatique et Mathématiques, Noumea, New Caledonia. fbaumann@live.fr

Environmental Health Perspectives
|January 4, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is linked to serpentinite on roads in New Caledonia. This environmental factor significantly increases cancer risk, particularly in high-incidence areas.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Epidemiology
  • Oncology
  • Geology

Background:

  • High incidences of malignant mesothelioma (MM) observed in New Caledonia.
  • Previous research indicates an association between MM and serpentinite-containing soil.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the spatial and temporal variations of MM.
  • To identify environmental factors associated with MM incidence.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 109 MM cases (1984-2008) from the New Caledonia Cancer Registry.
  • Spatial, temporal, and space-time cluster analyses.
  • Ecological analysis of 100 tribes, assessing environmental factors using regression models.

Main Results:

  • Highest MM incidence in Houaïlou (128.7 per 100,000 person-years).
  • Significant spatial cluster of 18 tribes identified (p = 0.001).
  • Serpentinite on roads emerged as the primary risk factor (OR=495.0), with risk increasing with proximity to quarries and serpentinite surface area.

Conclusions:

  • Serpentinite on roads is a major environmental risk factor for mesothelioma in New Caledonia.
  • Risk is associated with serpentinite presence, proximity to quarries, and distance to peridotite massifs.

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