Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and pesticides

[Guest guest]

P A N U P S

Pesticide Action Network Updates Service

===========================================

Swedish Study Shows Power of Prevention

September 8, 2003

A recent study in Sweden provides concrete evidence that preventative public

health measures produce healthier populations. The study, which analyzes data

from the National Swedish Cancer Registry, links Sweden's national policies to

reduce chemical exposure with fewer cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

The Cancer Registry data indicate the incidence of NHL increased annually in

Sweden at a rate of 3.2% for men and 3.1 % for women between 1971 and 1990.

The

increase became a decrease (0.8% for men and 0.2% for women) between 1991 and

2000, roughly 20 years after use of a number of chemicals associated with NHL

was severely restricted. Similar trends have been noted in Finland, Denmark

and

the U.S.

Dr. Ted Schettler, of the Science and Environmental Health Network said of the

study, " If this is true, it's good news because it shows that yet another

cancer can be prevented by reducing exposures to cancer-causing chemicals,

rather than having to focus almost exclusively on cures pursued for decades by

the health establishment. "

NHL is associated with a decrease in immune system function and has been

connected with exposure to three types of chemicals: phenoxyacetic acids and

chlorophenols; organic solvents; and persistent organic pollutants. The HIV

virus has also been shown to be a risk factor for NHL. Since the cancer can

develop decades after exposure, an emerging trend in NHL now is likely to be

the result of environmental factors decades ago.

The Swedish researchers developed a mathematical model to arrive at a

percentage of NHL cases that could be attributed to exposure to a specific

chemical, based on risk estimates and exposure frequencies found in their

previous case studies. With this method they calculated, for example, that 25%

of Swedish NHL cases could be attributed to organic solvent exposure.

Chlorophenoxyacetic acids (used in the herbicide Hormoslyr) and chlorophenols

(used primarily as impregnating agents for wood preservation and as

microbiocides) were both banned in Sweden during the 1970's. Organic solvents

were not banned, but occupational exposures were reduced by stricter handling

instructions. Restrictions on the use of these chemicals, improved work

practices to reduce occupational exposure, and cleaner products may all have

contributed to the lower rates of NHL in Sweden.

Other chemicals linked to NHL are persistent organic pollutants such as

organochlorine pesticides (e.g., DDT, chlordane, hexachlorobenzene)

polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and dioxins. All of these chemicals are

among

the 12 slated for global elimination under the 2001 Stockholm Convention (see

August 29th PANUPs for an update on the current status of the treaty).

Exposure

to these persistent chemicals is widespread, and occurs primarily through the

food chain. A study done by the US National Cancer Institute and the US

Centers

for Disease Control indicates that exposure to PCBs, when combined with the

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) antigen, greatly increases the risk of NHL. The

Swedish Environmental Protection Agency reports that the use of these

chemicals

peaked during the 1960's and 1970's, after which concentrations of PCBs

dropped

significantly in the environment and the food chain.

The Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) indicates that trends in

the United States are similar to Sweden. Between 1973 and 1990 the

incidence of

NHL increased by 3.6% per year. Between 1990 and 1995 the increase was only

1.6% per year, and between 1995 and 1999 NHL incidence declined by 0.9% for

men

only, while women experienced a lower mortality rate. Significantly, the

lowered incidence of NHL in the U.S. also occurred approximately 20 years

after

most uses of the chlorophenoxy herbicide 2,4,5-T were banned.

A May 2003 report by the Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) recognized

NHL as the fifth most common cancer in the United States, and pointed to

dramatic increases in cases of NHL between 1947 and 1990, when rates rose by

more than half for men and women between 25 and 44, doubled for those 44 to

65,

and tripled for 65 and older. The study also notes links between farming and

higher rates of NHL. The PSR report called for better tracking of location and

occupation in cancer statistics, to address the connection between chronic

disease and the environment.

Although the model used in this study may need more evaluation and study, this

work clearly shows that preventative policy measures can result in a clear

public health benefit. The results also lend urgency to worldwide ratification

of the Stockholm Convention.

Sources: Is the decline of the increasing incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

in Sweden and other countries a result of cancer preventative measures?

Lennart

Hardell and Mikael sson, July 2, 2003, Environmental Health Perspectives

http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2003/6270/abstract.html; Protecting Our

Health: Is the decline in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma a result of reducing

organochlorine exposure, Collaborative on Health and the Environment,

http://www.protectingourhealth.org/newscience/nonhodgkins/2003/2003-0702hard

ellanderiksson.htm ; Emerging Links between Chronic Disease and Environmental

Exposure, Physicians for Social Responsibility,

http://www.envirohealthaction.org/environment/disease_environment .

Contact: PANNA

PANUPS is a weekly email news service providing resource guides and reporting

on pesticide issues that don't always get coverage by the mainstream media.

It's produced by Pesticide Action Network North America, a non-profit and

non-governmental organization working to advance sustainable alternatives to

pesticides worldwide.

You can join our efforts! We gladly accept donations for our work and all

contributions are tax deductible in the United States. Visit

http://www.panna.org/donate

===========================================

Back issues of PANUPS are available online at:

http://www.panna.org/resources/panups.html

Please note: responses to this message will not be read.

To comment, send an email to:

panna@...

To subscribe, send a blank email to:

PANUPS-subscribe@...

Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA)

49 St., Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94102 USA

Phone: (415) 981-1771

Fax: (415) 981-1991

Email: panna@...

Web: http://www.panna.org

===========================================