Correlating element atmospheric deposition and cancer mortality in Portugal: data handling and preliminary results.
This study, framed within geographical epidemiology, presents preliminary findings concerning the association between the concentrations of chemical elements obtained through atmospheric biomonitoring with lichens and cancer mortality in the Portuguese population. Exploratory analyses were performed to identify potential confounders for the relationships between chemical elements and neoplasm mortality and to assess the extent of their interference. The results of this study highlight some methodological and conceptual difficulties inherent to observational and geographical studies, in the specific context of the Portuguese population, and the challenge posed by the large numbers of pollutants considered.
Sarmento
S
S
Department of Radiation, Radionuclides & Reactors, Section RIH (Radiation and Isotopes in Health), Faculty of Applied Sciences, Technical University of Delft, Mekelweg 15, Delft, The Netherlands. ssarmento@itn.pt
Wolterbeek
H Th
HT
Verburg
T G
TG
Freitas
M C
MC
D000367:Age Factors; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004651:Employment; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008011:Lichens / Q000737:chemistry*; D016014:Linear Models; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*; D052638:Particulate Matter; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors
D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter