Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention (아시아태평양암예방학회)
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Environmental Radioactivity and High Incidence Rates of Stomach and Esophagus Cancer in the Van Lake Region: A Causal Relationship?

  • Akan, Zafer (Department of Biophysics, Medical Faculty, Celal Bayar University) ;
  • Baskurt, Busranur (Department of Biophysics, Medical Faculty, Yuzuncu Yil University) ;
  • Asliyuksek, Hizir (Institute of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul University) ;
  • Kam, Erol (Cekmece Nuclear Research and Training Centre, TAEK) ;
  • Yilmaz, Ahmet (Department of Family Medicine, Medical Faculty, Dicle University) ;
  • Yuksel, Mehmet Bilgehan (Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Celal Bayar University) ;
  • Biyik, Recep (Cekmece Nuclear Research and Training Centre, TAEK) ;
  • Esen, Ramazan (Department of Hematology, Medical Faculty, Yuzuncu Yil University) ;
  • Koca, Dogan (Department of Internal Medicine, Van Regional Training and Research)
  • Published : 2014.01.15
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Abstract

This study examined the incidence rates of cancer cases (averages for 2006-2010) and relationships with environmental radioactivity levels. Soil and water samples were collected from provincial and district centers of Van city and the outdoor gamma doses were determined using a portable gamma scintillation detector. Gross alpha and beta, (226)Ra, (232)Th, and (40)K activities were measured in both tap water and soil samples. Although high rates of stomach and esophagus cancers have been reported previously in Van the underlying reasons have not hitherto been defined. Incidences of cancers were highest in the Gurpmar (326.0) and Ozalp (377.1) counties (p<0.001). As to the results of the gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity measurements in the drinking water, these two counties also had high beta radionuclide levels: Gurpmar ($140mBq/dm^3$) and Ozalp ($206mBq/dm^3$). Even if within the normal range, a relation between the higher rate of the incidence of stomach and esophagus cancers with that of the higher rate of beta radionuclide activity was clear. On Spearman correlation analysis, the relation between higher beta radionuclide levels and cancer incidence was found to be statistically significant (p<0.01). According to the results of the analysis, Van residents receive an average 1.86 mSv/y annual dose from outdoor gamma radiation, ingestion of radionuclides in the drinking water, and indoor $^{222}Rn$ activity. Moreover, gross alpha and beta activities were found to be extremely high in all of the lakes around the city of Van, Turkey. Further investigations with long-term detailed environmental radiation measurements are needed regarding the relationship between cancer cases and environmental radioactivity in the city of Van.

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