Purpose: Reports of excess leukemia deaths in an Ohio community prompted this search for associations between environmental exposures and mortality due to lymphatic and hematopoietic disorders (LHD) statewide. Methods: Residence locations for 28,119 LHD deaths along with demographic information from the 1990 Census were used to compute standardized mortality ratios (SMR) for 2662 Ohio population units (census tracts, cities, and zip codes). Ambient air concentrations of twelve solvents, zinc, and lead were estimated from Toxics Release Inventory data for 1718 sources, using a Gaussian plume model with 10 years of monthly wind observations. Correlation and multiple regression were used to test for associations between SMR and environmental exposures. Results: LHD SMR was significantly associated with zinc (fume or dust). The strongest Pearson correlation coefficient (r=0.27185, P < 0.0001) was observed at the highest decile of residential stability, where only 23% of residents changed addresses between 1985 and 1990. In addition to zinc, mortality rates for certain diagnostic categories were also correlated with exposures to lead compounds (multiple myeloma and non-lymphocytic leukemia) and benzene (non-Hodgkins lymphoma). Discussion: Excessive zinc intake blocks absorption of copper, causing anemia and suppressing immune function. Zinc might also be a surrogate for other exposures including cadmium, mercury, and arsenic. The methodology could be improved by using Census 2000 data to control for demographic shifts after 1990 and by using hourly wind observations in the air dispersion model. A major limitation of the study is exposure misclassification due to changes in residence.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Environmental Exposures,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.