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High incidence of acute leukemia in the proximity of some industrial facilities in El Bierzo, northwestern Spain

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

Abstract

Objectives

To estimate the incidence of acute leukemia (AL) in El Bierzo (BZ) and to carry out a cross-association analysis in order to suggest some etiological clues.

Materials and Methods

We registered all new AL cases diagnosed 2000–2005. Annual standardized incidence rate (SIR) was calculated by the direct method. A cross-association analysis was performed by non-parametric methods and we checked the potential interaction between putative etiological factors by calculating Chi-square-for-trend.

Results

SIR was 5.1 cases per 100 000, surpassing the Spanish, European and world average figures and heterogeneous throughout the region. We detected a negative correlation between acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) SIR in every municipality and both the air distance to the nearest thermoelectric power plant (TPP) (Rho = −0.409; p = 0.01) and to the point of maximum density of the high-power lines (HPL) network (Rho = −0.329; p = 0.04). Accordingly, SIR was higher in the municipalities situated < 7.5 km away from TPP (9.58 vs. 1.72; p = 0.004) or < 10 km away from HPL (3.90 vs. 3.19; p = 0.045). A positive relation between both factors was observed (Chi-square-for-trend = 9.209; p = 0.006).

Conclusions

SIR of AL in BZ is higher than the Spanish average and that of most countries in the world. Residing near TPP or HPL confers a higher risk of AML, with synergistic effect between both factors.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hematology, University Hospital of León, León, Spain

    José Antonio Rodríguez-García & Fernando Ramos

  2. Castilla y León Hematological Disorders Registry (REHCL), León, Spain

    José Antonio Rodríguez-García

  3. Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, León, Spain

    Fernando Ramos

  4. Department of Haematology, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, Altos de Nava, s/n., 24071, León, Spain

    José Antonio Rodríguez-García

Authors
  1. José Antonio Rodríguez-García
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  2. Fernando Ramos
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to José Antonio Rodríguez-García.

Additional information

REHCL received financial support from the Junta de Castilla y León during the year 2002.

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Rodríguez-García, J.A., Ramos, F. High incidence of acute leukemia in the proximity of some industrial facilities in El Bierzo, northwestern Spain. IJOMEH 25, 22–30 (2012). https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-012-0010-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-012-0010-1

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