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Air Pollution and Lung Cancer in Texas. Joseph Oppong and Sarah Whyman University of North Texas. Changing rates of cancer mortality at specific sites, age adjusted to the US population 2000. Source: American Cancer Society. 1999 population.
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Air Pollution and Lung Cancer in Texas Joseph Oppong and Sarah Whyman University of North Texas
Changing rates of cancer mortality at specific sites, age adjusted to the US population 2000. Source: American Cancer Society
Population 1999 with overlay of deaths, from 1980 to 1998. Contrasting death and mortality rates Population 1999 with overlay of mortality rate from 1980 to 1998
Texas also has a very high allergy rate. Natural air pollution from pollens was not investigated and radon is at a moderate level in a few counties but low in most of Texas
Disproportionate NOx and PM emissions produced by diesel-powered vehicles compared to the percentage of diesel-powered vehicles on the road.
These maps show total deaths from lung cancer (left) and death rates (below) from 1980 to 1998 overlaying a map of diesel particulate matter. Total deaths 1980 to 1998 The deaths are again higher and the death rates lower in more populated counties, with higher diesel exhaust concentrations also occurring in these areas. Death rates 1980 to 1998
Total toxic pollutants with an overlay of mortality rates. In contrast to other maps the pollutants do not completely match the more populated counties. Pollutants in pounds
Counties with low populations and high deaths Rains - 240 Lampasas - 90 Sabine - 1600 Trinity - 0 Llano - 1700
The pollutants released by electricity production, with death rates overlaying. Death Rates Emissions, tons
The current situation. In the first map it can be seen that there are many counties where no specific cancer care is available. Population in 1999 is also shown.
Percentage of elderly people living below the poverty level, highlighting the inadequacy of the federal centers - map repeated below
This map offers the information on both federal centers and cancer care centers with red markers showing high mortality rates and blue markers showing lowest rates, in the counties without adequate health care.
Health data in the US is not as comprehensive as in many countries, due to aspects of private health care and privacy laws, therefore it is difficult to pinpoint specific cases. This study was carried out at the county level, retaining anonymity but losing accuracy. One of the main points that emerged from the study is of health care being an important factor, not only in treatment, but in timely diagnosis of cancer and in education outreach, as many forms of cancer are linked to lifestyle. The political aspects of the study are incriminating, in that industry has powerful friends and risk factors are looked at primarily from an economic perspective, rather than health.
I would not want this study to exonerate smoking as a causal agent in lung cancer, although the statistics show a negative correlation. Other more powerful studies have identified tobacco smoke as a powerful carcinogen.
Health Data for this research came from: Texas Department of Health, http://www.tdh.state.tx.us Texas Cancer Data Center, http://www.texascancercouncil.org Business and Industry Data Center,http://www.bidc.state.tx.us Centers for Disease Control, http://www.cdc.gov. Pollution Data from: Environmental Protection Agency Toxic Release Inventory, http://www.epa.gov Texas Environmental Profiles, http://www.texasep.org
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