CGPH AFFILIATED FACULTY: Allan H. Smith, John Balmes
DATE OF PUBLICATION: April 2013
REGION: South America (Northern Chile)
REFERENCE: Steinmaus CM, Ferreccio C, Romo JA, Yuan Y, Cortes S, Marshall G, Moore LE, Balmes JR, Liaw J, Golden T, Smith AH. Drinking water arsenic in northern chile: high cancer risks 40 years after exposure cessation. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2013 Apr;22(4):623-30. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-12-1190.
SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: Millions of people worldwide are exposed to arsenic-contaminated water. In the largest city in northern Chile (Antofagasta), more than 250,000 people were exposed to high arsenic drinking water concentrations from 1958 until 1970 when a water treatment plant was installed. Because of its unique geology, limited water sources, and good historical records, lifetime exposure and long-term latency patterns can be assessed in this area with better accuracy than in other arsenic-exposed areas worldwide. We conducted a population-based case-control study in northern Chile from October 2007 to December 2010 involving 232 bladder and 306 lung cancer cases and 640 age- and gender-matched controls, with detailed information on past exposure and potential confounders, including smoking and occupation.
ACCESS: Link to Pubmed