Gastric Cancer Mortality and Drinking Water Qualities in Taiwan |
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Authors: | C-Y Yang H-F Chiu J-F Chiu M-F Cheng W-Y Kao |
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Institution: | (1) School of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical College, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China , TW;(2) Department of Pharmacology, Kaohsiung Medical College, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China , TW;(3) Kaohsiung Municipal Min-Sheng Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China , TW |
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Abstract: | The possible association between the risk of gastric cancer and nitrate and hardness in drinking water from municipal supplies
was investigated in a matched case-control study in Taiwan. Data on gastric cancer deaths among eligible residents in Taiwan
from 1987 through 1991 (6,766 cases) were obtained from the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the Taiwan Provincial Department
of Health. Controls were deaths from other causes (6,766 controls) and were matched individually to the cases by sex, year
of birth, and year of death. Data on nitrate–nitrogen (NO3–N) and hardness levels in drinking water throughout Taiwan were collected from the Taiwan Water Supply Corporation (TWSC).
The municipality of residence for cases and controls was assumed to be the source of the subject's nitrate and hardness exposure
via drinking water. There was no difference in gastric cancer rates between the groups with different levels of nitrate. The
odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for death from gastric cancer was 0.95 (0.87–1.03) for the group with water nitrate
levels between 0.23 and 0.44 mg/L, and 1.02 (0.93–1.11) for the group with nitrate levels greater than 0.45 mg/L. However,
the results show a significant negative relationship between drinking water hardness and gastric cancer mortality. Odds ratios
were 1.16 (1.07–1.26) and 1.65 (1.52–1.79), respectively, for exposure to moderately hard water and soft water compared with
the use of hard water. This is an important finding for the Taiwan water industry and human health risk.
Received: 27 November 1996/Accepted: 16 April 1997 |
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