Proximity to Oil Refineries and Risk of Cancer: A Population-Based Analysis
Stephen B Williams1, Yong Shan1, Usama Jazzar1
1Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
JNCI Cancer Spectrum
|December 3, 2020
Summary
Living near oil refineries increases cancer risk, especially for lymphoma and bladder cancer. This study found higher rates of diagnosis and advanced disease stages for those residing closer to refineries.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Oncology
Background:
- The link between oil refinery proximity and cancer incidence remains under-researched.
- This study investigates cancer rates in relation to proximity to oil refineries in Texas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cancer rates for six cancer types (bladder, breast, colon, lung, lymphoma, prostate) based on proximity to oil refineries.
- To assess the association between residential proximity to oil refineries and cancer risk and stage at diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 6,302,265 individuals aged 20+ living within 30 miles of an oil refinery in Texas (2010-2014).
- Employed multilevel zero-inflated Poisson regression models to analyze the association between refinery proximity and cancer rates.
Main Results:
- Proximity to oil refineries was significantly associated with an increased risk of all studied cancer types.
- Individuals living within 0-10 miles showed a higher risk for lymphoma (RR=1.13) and distant/metastatic disease compared to those living 21-30 miles away.
- The highest risk for distant disease was observed in bladder cancer patients living within 0-10 miles (RR=1.30) versus 21-30 miles.
Conclusions:
- Residing near oil refineries is linked to a higher risk of developing multiple cancer types.
- Increased risk of regional and distant/metastatic disease was observed with greater proximity to oil refineries.
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