[Cancer mortality in smaller regions with different structures and conditions of air quality]

The study attempts a comparative evaluation of 5 Styrian regions as to their mortality rate of cancer in general as well as cancer of the respiratory system in particular. Regions were not established according to political or administrative districts; instead, communities from areas with homogeneous characteristics as to topography, climate, and air-quality were combined in regions. Among these 5 regions, 2 are industrial centers (region Voitsberg-Köflach with 31.000 inh. and Aichfeld-Murboden with 45.000 inh.), 2 have low to average air pollution (Ausseerland with 13.000 inh. and Deutschlandsberg with 13.000 inh.), 1 is a city with appr. 247.000 inh. (Graz). The disadvantage of the small number of samples was compensated for by observing each region over a period of 11 years. The results clearly demonstrate that the region Voitsberg-Köflach has a statistically significant high mortality rate both of cancer in general as well as of cancer of respiratory system in particular. The collected data provide ample ground for the assumption that environmental conditions are to a large degree responsible for the high mortality rate; this study will provide the basis for systematic investigations of its causes.