Swedish Study Shows Power of Prevention

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===========================================P A N U P SPesticide Action Network Updates Service===========================================Swedish Study Shows Power of PreventionSeptember 8, 2003A recent study in Sweden provides concrete evidence that preventative publichealth measures produce healthier populations. The study, which analyzesdata from the National Swedish Cancer Registry, links Sweden's nationalpolicies to reduce chemical exposure with fewer cases of non-Hodgkin'slymphoma (NHL).The Cancer Registry data indicate the incidence of NHL increased annually inSweden 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) between1991 and 2000, roughly 20 years after use of a number of chemicalsassociated with NHL was severely restricted. Similar trends have been notedin Finland, Denmark and the U.S.Dr. Ted Schettler, of the Science and Environmental Health Network said ofthe study, "If this is true, it's good news because it shows that yetanother cancer can be prevented by reducing exposures to cancer-causingchemicals, rather than having to focus almost exclusively on cures pursuedfor decades by the health establishment."NHL is associated with a decrease in immune system function and has beenconnected with exposure to three types of chemicals: phenoxyacetic acids andchlorophenols; organic solvents; and persistent organic pollutants. The HIVvirus has also been shown to be a risk factor for NHL. Since the cancer candevelop decades after exposure, an emerging trend in NHL now is likely to bethe result of environmental factors decades ago.The Swedish researchers developed a mathematical model to arrive at apercentage of NHL cases that could be attributed to exposure to a specificchemical, based on risk estimates and exposure frequencies found in theirprevious case studies. With this method they calculated, for example, that25% of Swedish NHL cases could be attributed to organic solvent exposure.Chlorophenoxyacetic acids (used in the herbicide Hormoslyr) andchlorophenols (used primarily as impregnating agents for wood preservationand as microbiocides) were both banned in Sweden during the 1970's. Organicsolvents were not banned, but occupational exposures were reduced bystricter handling instructions. Restrictions on the use of these chemicals,improved work practices to reduce occupational exposure, and cleanerproducts may all have contributed to the lower rates of NHL in Sweden.Other chemicals linked to NHL are persistent organic pollutants such asorganochlorine pesticides (e.g., DDT, chlordane, hexachlorobenzene)polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and dioxins. All of these chemicals areamong the 12 slated for global elimination under the 2001 StockholmConvention (see August 29th PANUPs for an update on the current status ofthe treaty). Exposure to these persistent chemicals is widespread, andoccurs primarily through the food chain. A study done by the US NationalCancer Institute and the US Centers for Disease Control indicates thatexposure to PCBs, when combined with the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) antigen,greatly increases the risk of NHL. The Swedish Environmental ProtectionAgency reports that the use of these chemicals peaked during the 1960's and1970's, after which concentrations of PCBs dropped significantly in theenvironment and the food chain.The Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) indicates that trendsin the United States are similar to Sweden. Between 1973 and 1990 theincidence of NHL increased by 3.6% per year. Between 1990 and 1995 theincrease was only 1.6% per year, and between 1995 and 1999 NHL incidencedeclined by 0.9% for men only, while women experienced a lower mortalityrate. Significantly, the lowered incidence of NHL in the U.S. also occurredapproximately 20 years after most uses of the chlorophenoxy herbicide2,4,5-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, andpointed to dramatic increases in cases of NHL between 1947 and 1990, whenrates rose by more than half for men and women between 25 and 44, doubledfor those 44 to 65, and tripled for 65 and older. The study also notes linksbetween farming and higher rates of NHL. The PSR report called for bettertracking of location and occupation in cancer statistics, to address theconnection 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 aclear public health benefit. The results also lend urgency to worldwideratification of the Stockholm Convention.Sources: Is the decline of the increasing incidence of non-Hodgkin'slymphoma in Sweden and other countries a result of cancer preventativemeasures? Lennart Hardell and Mikael Eriksson, July 2, 2003, EnvironmentalHealth Perspectiveshttp://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2003/6270/abstract.html; Protecting OurHealth: Is the decline in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma a result of reducingorganochlorine exposure, Collaborative on Health and the Environment,http://www.protectingourhealth.org/newscience/nonhodgkins/2003/2003-0702hardellanderiksson.htm ;Emerging Links between Chronic Disease and Environmental Exposure,Physicians for Social Responsibility,http://www.envirohealthaction.org/environment/disease_environment .Contact: PANNAPANUPS is a weekly email news service providing resource guides andreporting on pesticide issues that don't always get coverage by themainstream media. It's produced by Pesticide Action Network North America, anon-profit and non-governmental organization working to advance sustainablealternatives to pesticides worldwide.You can join our efforts! We gladly accept donations for our work and allcontributions are tax deductible in the United States. Visithttp://www.panna.org/donate===========================================Back issues of PANUPS are available online at:http://www.panna.org/resources/panups.htmlPlease note: responses to this message will not be read.To comment, send an email to:pannaTo , send a blank email to:PANUPS-Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA)49 Powell St., Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94102 USAPhone: (415) 981-1771Fax: (415) 981-1991Email: pannaWeb: http://www.panna.org===========================================