How does this research help us prevent and treat disease?

Research Brief 125: Epidemiologic Research on Environmental Pollution and _________________ the Risk of Disease

Release Date: 05/04/2005

The following text was adapted by Joe Marraffino from a Research Brief submitted by Dr. Ann Aschengrau of the Boston University Superfund Basic Research Program.

In the 1980's, an unusually high number of people developed cancers in the upper Cape Cod region of Massachusetts.  But why? Because the people all lived in one region, the cancers may have come from the local environment. When people are exposed to certain chemicals the chances they will get sick is much higher. But which chemicals?

There were several possible sources, including pollution from a military reservation, pesticides seeping from cranberry bogs and forests, and the contamination of local drinking water. By researching the sources of these chemicals, and the connection they might have to cancer, we can try to reduce our exposure to them, and reduce our risk of disease.

From 1968 through 1980, families in eight Cape Cod towns were exposed to PCE (also called tetrachloroethylene or perchloroethylene) when it leached into their drinking water. Researchers thought that the chemical might be coming from the vinyl lining of some water distribution pipes.  In 1997, Dr. Aschengrau, an epidemiologist at Boston University, investigated the connection between people’s exposure to PCE in drinking water and their chance of developing breast cancer.  The study involved 672 people with breast cancer and 616 without cancer.

Dr. Aschengrau's research team estimated the amount of PCE that entered people’s houses in drinking water for a specified time period.  They took into account the age of the pipe, its length, diameter and location. Different houses had different levels of PCE.  When the study was over it showed that women whose houses had the highest PCE exposure had a greater chance of developing breast cancer.

Map of a Cape Cod town Showing water service distribution Provided by Dr. Aschengrau Red lines are vinyl-lined pipes Blue lines are pipes that are not vinyl-lined Black lines outline parcels of land, like houses Which houses are most exposed to PCE?

If drinking water were contaminated by the vinyl lining, it would make sense to replace the pipes.

But drinking water is not the only way that people might be exposed to PCE. The chemical can evaporate from the water and be breathed in, as well, especially while people are showering. Could people reduce their chance of cancer by changing their personal habits – by taking shorter showers?

Dr. Aschengrau's research team did another study to see whether people who were exposed to PCE in the air had a higher chance of developing cancer. The study showed that differences in bathing habits did not make much change in cancer rates. While it is useful to have as much information as possible, the conclusion was that the solution was to work on the pipes, not ask people to change their showering times.

To help address the problem, the scientists have made digital maps for each town they studied. The maps show people’s houses and the water pipe network, and from these maps, scientists can calculate how much PCE is entering each house. The next steps are up to the people in the towns and the people living in the houses. What could you do with these maps to help stop cancer?

Dr. Aschengrau keeps working. She is studying how PCE might affect other diseases besides cancer. She is also looking to see what other chemicals might affect peoples bodies and make them sick.

This research is just one case of many that help us understand where disease comes from. With more knowledge, we can take action to avoid dangerous chemicals, and live healthier lives.

 

Some links to information about how this research helps us prevent and treat disease.

Learn how researchers study the effects of the environment on human health.
www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/factsheets/fshow.htm

Read what EPA is doing to protect human health from pollutants in the environment.
www.epa.gov/indicators/roe/html/roeHealth.htm

Learn how researchers are trying to prevent environmental disease.
www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/factsheets/ead/home.htm

Understand how the environment can influence cancer.
www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/factsheets/cancer-environment.pdf

20 Easy Steps to Personal Environmental Health (a NIEHS publication)
www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/factsheets/scene/adult/home.htm