Assessing the Impact of Waste Co-Incineration at the Anhovo Cement Plant (Slovenia) on the Regional Cancer Burden

Abstract

Background. This epidemiological study aims to assess cancer risk potentially associated with environmental exposure resulting from cement production and waste co-incineration at the Anhovo cement plant in western Slovenia and develop a strong and reliable methodological framework for long-term surveillance of environmentally related cancer risks in small geographical areas.

Materials and methods. We integrated four data sources: cancer cases from the population-based Slovenian Cancer Registry; background population; and available measurements on exposure to air PM₁₀ particles and chromium in soil in municipality of Kanal and broader Goriška region. Relative risks of cancer in small geographical areas were estimated by Bayesian hierarchical spatial models and population attributable fractions of modelled risk factors were calculated. The point source analysis compared cancer risk near the cement plant to that in more distant areas

Results. The analysis did not reveal any statistically significant excess in cancer incidence in the vicinity of the Anhovo cement plant that could be attributed to known environmental pollution. However, mainly because of latency period for developing cancer we cannot completely rule out any potential impact of the environmental pollution on cancer risk caused by the cement plant and the latter waste co-incineration.

Conclusions. Considering the presence of environmental pollution, either due to old environmental burdens or the potential impact of current activities in Kanal, we strongly recommend conducting a follow-up epidemiological study within the next 10 to 20 years. The methodological framework established in the present study provides a foundation for ongoing surveillance of cancer burden in the region.