Analysis of the association between bladder carcinoma and arsenic concentration in soil and water in southeast Brazil

ABSTRACT In approximately 50% of cases of bladder carcinoma, an associated predisposing factor can be established. The main factors are exposure to tobacco, arsenic (As) ore and aromatic compounds. Arsenic is a metalloid with a low average concentration in the earth's crust, and one of the most dangerous substances for human health. The present study aims to evaluate the incidence of hospitalization and mortality from bladder neoplasia and its possible association with As concentration in water and soil in two of the most critical regions of Brazil: the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais. We have investigated bladder cancer hospitalization and mortality in the states of Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais during 2010-2014. Water and soil samples were analyzed and As concentrations were established. Data were obtained through the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System. Correlation was made with water samples from São Paulo and with data on soil analysis from Minas Gerais. The results revealed no direct association in the distinctive municipalities. Areas with high environmental As concentration had a low bladder cancer rate, while areas with normal as levels had similar cancer rates. The quantitative variables did not present a normal distribution (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we did not observe a correlation between as concentration in water or soil and bladder cancer's hospitalization and mortality rates in the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais.

摘要 约50%的膀胱癌病例可明确相关易感因素。主要致病因素包括烟草暴露、砷（As）矿石接触以及芳香族化合物接触。砷是地壳中平均含量较低的类金属，也是对人体健康危害最严重的物质之一。本研究旨在评估巴西两个最为关键的区域——圣保罗州与米纳斯吉拉斯州的膀胱肿瘤住院发病率与死亡率，及其与水体、土壤中砷浓度的潜在关联。本研究调查了2010-2014年间圣保罗州与米纳斯吉拉斯州的膀胱癌住院与死亡情况，对水体与土壤样本进行了分析并确定了砷浓度。数据来源于巴西统一卫生系统（Brazilian Unified Health System）信息部。本研究分别将圣保罗州的水体样本数据与米纳斯吉拉斯州的土壤分析数据开展相关性分析。结果显示，在所研究的各特定市政区域中未发现直接关联。环境砷浓度较高的区域膀胱癌发病率较低，而砷水平正常的区域癌症发病率相近。定量变量未呈现正态分布（p<0.05）。综上，在圣保罗州与米纳斯吉拉斯州，未观测到水体或土壤中的砷浓度与膀胱癌住院率及死亡率之间存在相关性。