Environment and Breast Cancer: Science Review
About
Environmental pollution by persistent toxic substances and health risk in an industrial area of China
Li, J., Lu, Y., Shi, Y., Wang, T., Wang, G., Luo, W., Jiao, W., Chen, C., Yan, F. J Environ Sci (China). 2011. 23:8, 1359-67.
Topic area
Environmental pollutant - Organochlorine pesticides PAHs
Environmental pollutant - Organochlorine pesticides PAHs
Study design
Ecologic
Ecologic
Funding agency
National Basic Research Program of China External
National Basic Research Program of China External
Study Participants
Menopausal Status
The menopausal status of women included in this study is listed here.
No analyses based on menopausal status
Number in Cohort
Cohort: 742 men and women
Cohort: 742 men and women
Participant selection: Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Criteria used to select participants in the study.
Participants were recruited from an industrial region in Tianjin, China. Based on soil sampling of the study area (32 sites), 742 questionnaires were distributed in 23 social survey sites (9 inside chemical industry parks, 14 outside). 25 to 35 individuals were randomly chosen in each of the 23 social survey sites within a 3 block radius. 201 residents (27%) within chemical industrial parks were considered exposed, and 541 residents (73%) outside of chemical industrial parks were considered not exposed. Participants who lived in the area for at least 5 years were included.
Exposure Investigated
Exposures investigated
Location of residence at interview with respect to one of three chemical industrial parks (Hangu, Dagu, and Dagang parks) with PAHs and OCPs (DDT, HCH, HCB) measured in soil.
Location of residence at interview with respect to one of three chemical industrial parks (Hangu, Dagu, and Dagang parks) with PAHs and OCPs (DDT, HCH, HCB) measured in soil.
How exposure was measured
GIS/Geographic location Environmental sample
GIS/Geographic location Environmental sample
Exposure assessment comment
The exposure metric used in calculating the OR included areas where the largest producers of OCPs were manufactured in China.
The exposure metric used in calculating the OR included areas where the largest producers of OCPs were manufactured in China.
Breast cancer outcome investigated
Primary incident breast cancer
Primary incident breast cancer
Confounders considered
Other breast cancer risk factors, such as family history, age at first birth, and hormone replacement therapy use, that were taken into account in the study.
Potential confounders were considered, though it is unclear which ones were included in the final analysis.
Genetic characterization included
If the study analyzed relationships between environmental factors and inherited genetic variations, this field will be marked “Yes.” “No”, if not.
No
Strength of associations reported
Participants living inside chemical park vs. outside a chemical park: OR 1.87 (95% CI 0.12-30.06)
Participants living inside chemical park vs. outside a chemical park: OR 1.87 (95% CI 0.12-30.06)
Author address
State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China. lijing_cadx@163.com
State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China. lijing_cadx@163.com
Reviewers Comments
Statistical analysis is described as "multivariate", but it is never specified what variables were considered or included in the final model. It is not clear whether the analysis for breast cancer included the men in the cohort.
Statistical analysis is described as "multivariate", but it is never specified what variables were considered or included in the final model. It is not clear whether the analysis for breast cancer included the men in the cohort.