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A global perspective on coal-fired power plants and burden of lung cancer.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Exposure to ambient particulate matter generated from coal-fired power plants induces long-term health consequences. However, epidemiologic studies have not yet focused on attributing these health burdens specifically to energy consumption, impeding targeted intervention policies. We hypothesize that the generating capacity of coal-fired power plants may be associated with lung cancer incidence at the national level. METHODS:Age- and sex-adjusted lung cancer incidence from every country with electrical plants using coal as primary energy supply were followed from 2000 to 2016. We applied a Poisson regression longitudinal model, fitted using generalized estimating equations, to estimate the association between lung cancer incidence and per capita coal capacity, adjusting for various behavioral and demographic determinants and lag periods. RESULTS:The average coal capacity increased by 1.43 times from 16.01 gigawatts (GW) (2000~2004) to 22.82 GW (2010~2016). With 1?kW (KW) increase of coal capacity per person in a country, the relative risk of lung cancer increases by a factor of 59% (95% CI?=?7.0%~?135%) among males and 85% (95% CI?=?22%~?182%) among females. Based on the model, we estimate a total of 1.37 (range?=?1.34 ~?1.40) million standardized incident cases from lung cancer will be associated with coal-fired power plants in 2025. CONCLUSIONS:These analyses suggest an association between lung cancer incidence and increased reliance on coal for energy generation. Such data may be helpful in addressing a key policy question about the externality costs and estimates of the global disease burden from preventable lung cancer attributable to coal-fired power plants at the national level.

SUBMITTER: Lin CK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6350330 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A global perspective on coal-fired power plants and burden of lung cancer.

Lin Cheng-Kuan CK Lin Ro-Ting RT Chen Tom T Zigler Corwin C Wei Yaguang Y Christiani David C DC

Environmental health : a global access science source 20190128 1

<h4>Background</h4>Exposure to ambient particulate matter generated from coal-fired power plants induces long-term health consequences. However, epidemiologic studies have not yet focused on attributing these health burdens specifically to energy consumption, impeding targeted intervention policies. We hypothesize that the generating capacity of coal-fired power plants may be associated with lung cancer incidence at the national level.<h4>Methods</h4>Age- and sex-adjusted lung cancer incidence f ...[more]

PMID: 30691464

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Project description:BackgroundCoal-fired power plants are a major source of air pollution that can impact children's health. Limited research has explored if proximity to coal-fired power plants contributes to children's neurobehavioral disorders.ObjectiveThis community-based study collected primary data to investigate the relationships of residential proximity to power plants and neurobehavioral problems in children.Methods235 participants aged 6-14 years who lived within 10 miles of two power plants were recruited. Exposure to particulate matter ≤10 μm (PM10) was measured in children's homes using personal modular impactors. Neurobehavioral symptoms were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Multiple regression models were performed to test the hypothesized associations between proximity/exposure and neurobehavioral symptoms. Geospatial statistical methods were used to map the spatial patterns of exposure and neurobehavioral symptoms.ResultsA small proportion of the variations of neurobehavioral problems (social problems, affective problems, and anxiety problems) were explained by the regression models in which distance to power plants, traffic proximity, and neighborhood poverty was statistically associated with the neurobehavioral health outcomes. Statistically significant hot spots of participants who had elevated levels of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and social problems were observed in the vicinity of the two power plants.SignificanceResults of this study suggest an adverse impact of proximity to power plants on children's neurobehavioral health. Although coal-fired power plants are being phased out in the US, health concern about exposure from coal ash storage facilities remains. Furthermore, other countries in the world are increasing coal use and generating millions of tons of pollutants and coal ash. Findings from this study can inform public health policies to reduce children's risk of neurobehavioral symptoms in relation to proximity to power plants.

Dataset Information

A global perspective on coal-fired power plants and burden of lung cancer.

Publications

A global perspective on coal-fired power plants and burden of lung cancer.

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