| Potential Residential Exposure to Toxics Release Inventory Chemicals during Pregnancy and Childhood Brain Cancer Hannah S. Choi,1,2 Youn K. Shim,2 Wendy E. Kaye,2 and P. Barry Ryan1 1Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; 2Division of Health Studies, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia, USA Abstract
Background: Although the susceptibility of the developing fetus to various chemical exposures is well documented, the role of environmental chemicals in childhood brain cancer etiology is not well understood. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate whether mothers of childhood brain cancer cases had greater potential residential exposure to Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) chemicals than control mothers during pregnancy. Methods: We included 382 brain cancer cases diagnosed at < 10 years of age from 1993 through 1997 who were identified from four statewide cancer registries. One-to-one matched controls were selected by random-digit dialing. Computer-assisted telephone interviews were conducted. Using residential history of mothers during pregnancy, we measured proximity to TRI facilities and exposure index, including mass and chemicals released. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using conditional logistic regression to estimate brain cancer risk associated with TRI chemicals. Results: Increased risk was observed for mothers living within 1 mi of a TRI facility (OR = 1.66 ; 95% CI, 1.11–2.48) and living within 1 mi of a facility releasing carcinogens (OR = 1.72 ; 95% CI, 1.05–2.82) for having children diagnosed with brain cancer before 5 years of age, compared to living > 1 mi from a facility. Taking into account the mass and toxicity of chemical releases, we found a nonsignificant increase in risk (OR = 1.25 ; 95% CI, 0.67–2.34) comparing those with the lowest versus highest exposure index. Conclusions: Risk of childhood brain cancers may be associated with living near a TRI facility ; however, this is an exploratory study and further studies are needed. Key words: air emissions, astrocytoma, brain cancer, children, GIS, PNET, pregnancy, Toxics Release Inventory. Environ Health Perspect 114:1113–1118 (2006) . doi:10.1289/ehp.9145 available via http://dx.doi.org/ [Online 6 June 2006]
Address correspondence to P. Barry Ryan, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, Rm 264, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA. Telephone: (404) 727-3826. Fax: (404) 727-8744. E-mail: bryan@sph.emory.edu We thank D.L. Forman, Water Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , Region III, and A.A. Wilkins, Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. EPA, for their helpful discussions on the exposure assessment methods used for this study. This study was funded by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act trust fund. The authors declare they have no competing financial interests. Received 6 March 2006 ; accepted 6 June 2006.
Correction In Table 2, the value for "All other" has been corrected from 17 (4.5) , as published online, to 75 (19.6) ; in Table 5, the value for "All reference ages" exposure index level II has been changed from 1.91 to 0.91.
The full version of this article is available for free in HTML or PDF formats. |
