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Bustaffa E, Cori L, Manzella A, Nuvolone D, Minichilli F, Bianchi F, Gorini F. The health of communities living in proximity of geothermal plants generating heat and electricity: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 706:135998. [PMID: 31862594 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Since the 1990s, in areas with natural geothermal manifestations studies on the association between exposure to pollutants and health effect have become increasingly relevant. These emissions consist of water vapor mixed with carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methane and, to a lesser extent, rare gases and trace elements in volatile forms. Considering the indications of the World Health Organization and the growth in the use of geothermal energy for energy production, this review aims to report studies exploring the health status of the populations living in areas where geothermal energy is used to produce heat and electricity. Studies on the health effects of the general population exposed to emissions from both natural geothermal events and plants using geothermal energy at domestic or commercial level have been considered between 1999 and 2019. Studies were classified into those based on health indicators and those based on proxy-individual level exposure metrics. Both statistically significant results (p<0.05) and interesting signals were commented. The 19 studies selected (New Zealand, Iceland and Italy) provide heterogeneous results, with an increased risk for several tumor sites. Exposure to H2S low concentrations is positively associated with an increment of respiratory symptoms, anti-asthma drugs use, mortality for respiratory diseases and lung cancer. Exposure to H2S high levels is inversely related to cancer mortality but associated with an increase in hospitalization for respiratory diseases, central nervous system disorders and cardiovascular diseases. The results indicate that the health of populations residing in areas rich in geothermal emissions presents some critical elements to be explored. The two major limitations of the studies are the ecological design and the inadequate exposure assessment. The authors suggested the prosecution and the systematization of health surveillance and human biomonitoring activities associated with permanent control of atmospheric emissions from both industrial and natural plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Bustaffa
- Unit of Environmental Epidemiology and Diseases Registries, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, IFC-CNR, via Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy.
| | - Liliana Cori
- Unit of Environmental Epidemiology and Diseases Registries, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, IFC-CNR, via Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Adele Manzella
- Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, National Research Council, IGG-CNR, via Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Daniela Nuvolone
- Epidemiology Unit, Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Via Pietro Dazzi 1, Florence 50100, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Minichilli
- Unit of Environmental Epidemiology and Diseases Registries, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, IFC-CNR, via Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Bianchi
- Unit of Environmental Epidemiology and Diseases Registries, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, IFC-CNR, via Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Francesca Gorini
- Unit of Environmental Epidemiology and Diseases Registries, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, IFC-CNR, via Moruzzi 1, Pisa 56124, Italy
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Linhares DPS, Garcia PV, Silva C, Barroso J, Kazachkova N, Pereira R, Lima M, Camarinho R, Ferreira T, Dos Santos Rodrigues A. DNA damage in oral epithelial cells of individuals chronically exposed to indoor radon ( 222Rn) in a hydrothermal area. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2018; 40:1713-1724. [PMID: 27830439 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-016-9893-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Hydrothermal areas are potentially hazardous to humans as volcanic gases such as radon (222Rn) are continuously released from soil diffuse degassing. Exposure to radon is estimated to be the second leading cause of lung cancer, but little is known about radon health-associated risks in hydrothermal regions. This cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the DNA damage in the buccal epithelial cells of individuals chronically exposed to indoor radon in a volcanic area (Furnas volcano, Azores, Portugal) with a hydrothermal system. Buccal epithelial cells were collected from 33 individuals inhabiting the hydrothermal area (Ribeira Quente village) and from 49 individuals inhabiting a non-hydrothermal area (Ponta Delgada city). Indoor radon was measured with Ramon 2.2 detectors. Chromosome damage was measured by micronucleus cytome assay, and RAPD-PCR was used as a complementary tool to evaluate DNA damage, using three 10-mer primers (D11, F1 and F12). Indoor radon concentration correlated positively with the frequency of micronucleated cells (r s = 0.325, p = 0.003). Exposure to radon is a risk factor for the occurrence micronucleated cells in the inhabitants of the hydrothermal area (RR = 1.71; 95% CI, 1.2-2.4; p = 0.003). One RAPD-PCR primer (F12) produced differences in the banding pattern, a fact that can indicate its potential for detecting radon-induced specific genomic alterations. The observed association between chronic exposure to indoor radon and the occurrence of chromosome damage in human oral epithelial cells evidences the usefulness of biological surveillance to assess mutations involved in pre-carcinogenesis in hydrothermal areas, reinforcing the need for further studies with human populations living in these areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Paula Silva Linhares
- Department of Biology, University of the Azores, Rua da Mãe de Deus, Apartado 1422, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal.
- CVARG, Center for Volcanology and Geological Risks Assessment, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal.
| | - Patrícia Ventura Garcia
- Department of Biology, University of the Azores, Rua da Mãe de Deus, Apartado 1422, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
- cE3c, Centre for Ecology Evolution and Environmental Changes and Azorean Biodiversity Group, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
| | - Catarina Silva
- CVARG, Center for Volcanology and Geological Risks Assessment, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
- CIVISA, Center for Information and Seismovolcanic Surveillance of the Azores, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
| | - Joana Barroso
- Department of Biology, University of the Azores, Rua da Mãe de Deus, Apartado 1422, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
| | - Nadya Kazachkova
- Department of Biology, University of the Azores, Rua da Mãe de Deus, Apartado 1422, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Pereira
- Department of Biology, University of the Azores, Rua da Mãe de Deus, Apartado 1422, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
| | - Manuela Lima
- Department of Biology, University of the Azores, Rua da Mãe de Deus, Apartado 1422, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMC), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Camarinho
- Department of Biology, University of the Azores, Rua da Mãe de Deus, Apartado 1422, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
| | - Teresa Ferreira
- Department of Geosciences, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
- CVARG, Center for Volcanology and Geological Risks Assessment, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
| | - Armindo Dos Santos Rodrigues
- Department of Biology, University of the Azores, Rua da Mãe de Deus, Apartado 1422, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
- CVARG, Center for Volcanology and Geological Risks Assessment, University of the Azores, 9501-801, Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
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Kristbjornsdottir A, Aspelund T, Rafnsson V. Association of Cancer Incidence and Duration of Residence in Geothermal Heating Area in Iceland: An Extended Follow-Up. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155922. [PMID: 27205903 PMCID: PMC4874673 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Residents of geothermal areas have higher incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and kidney cancers than others. These populations are exposed to chronic low-level ground gas emissions and various pollutants from geothermal water. The aim was to assess whether habitation in geothermal areas and utilisation of geothermal water is associated with risk of cancer according to duration of residence. METHODS The cohort obtained from the census 1981 was followed to the end of 2013. Personal identifier was used in record linkage with nation-wide emigration, death, and cancer registries. The exposed population, defined by community codes, was located on young bedrock and had utilised geothermal water supply systems since 1972. Two reference populations were located by community codes on older bedrock or had not utilised geothermal water supply systems for as long a period as had the exposed population. Adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 95% confidence intervals (CI) non-stratified and stratified on cumulative years of residence were estimated in Cox-model. RESULTS The HR for all cancer was 1.21 (95% CI 1.12-1.30) as compared with the first reference area. The HR for pancreatic cancer was 1.93 (1.22-3.06), breast cancer, 1.48 (1.23-1.80), prostate cancer 1.47 (1.22-1.77), kidney cancer 1.46 (1.03-2.05), lymphoid and haematopoietic tissue 1.54 (1.21-1.97), non-Hodgkin´s lymphoma 2.08 (1.38-3.15) and basal cell carcinoma of the skin 1.62 (1.35-1.94). Positive dose-response relationship was observed between incidence of cancers and duration of residence, and between incidence of cancer and degree of geothermal/volcanic activity in the comparison areas. CONCLUSIONS The higher cancer incidence in geothermal areas than in reference areas is consistent with previous findings. As the dose-response relationships were positive between incidence of cancers and duration of residence, it is now more urgent than before to investigate the chemical and physical content of the geothermal water and of the ambient air of the areas to detect recognized or new carcinogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thor Aspelund
- Centre of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Vilhjalmur Rafnsson
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- * E-mail:
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Finnbjornsdottir RG, Oudin A, Elvarsson BT, Gislason T, Rafnsson V. Hydrogen sulfide and traffic-related air pollutants in association with increased mortality: a case-crossover study in Reykjavik, Iceland. BMJ Open 2015; 5:e007272. [PMID: 25854971 PMCID: PMC4390682 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To study the association between daily mortality and short-term increases in air pollutants, both traffic-related and the geothermal source-specific hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). DESIGN Population-based, time stratified case-crossover. A lag time to 4 days was considered. Seasonal, gender and age stratification were calculated. Also, the best-fit lag when introducing H₂S >7 µg/m(3) was selected by the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). SETTING The population of the greater Reykjavik area (n=181,558) during 2003-2009. PARTICIPANTS Cases were defined as individuals living in the Reykjavik capital area, 18 years or older (N=138,657), who died due to all natural causes (ICD-10 codes A00-R99) other than injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes, or cardiovascular disease (ICD-10 codes I00-I99) during the study period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Percentage increases in risk of death (IR%) following an interquartile range increase in pollutants. RESULTS The total number of deaths due to all natural causes was 7679 and due to cardiovascular diseases was 3033. The interquartile range increased concentrations of H₂S (2.6 µg/m(3)) were associated with daily all natural cause mortality in the Reykjavik capital area. The IR% was statistically significant during the summer season (lag 1: IR%=5.05, 95% CI 0.61 to 9.68; lag 2: IR%=5.09, 95% CI 0.44 to 9.97), among males (lag 0: IR%=2.26, 95% CI 0.23 to 4.44), and among the elderly (lag 0: IR%=1.94, 95% CI 0.12 to 1.04; lag 1: IR%=1.99, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.04), when adjusted for traffic-related pollutants and meteorological variables. The traffic-related pollutants were generally not associated with statistical significant IR%s. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that ambient H₂S air pollution may increase mortality in Reykjavik, Iceland. To the best of our knowledge, ambient H₂S exposure has not previously been associated with increased mortality in population-based studies and therefore the results should be interpreted with caution. Further studies are warranted to confirm or refute whether H₂S exposure induces premature deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Oudin
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Thorarinn Gislason
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine and Sleep, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Vilhjalmur Rafnsson
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
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