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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Donna Gerstle, MA, MS, JD¹, Alfred Levine, PhD¹, Robert Silich, MD², Alan Benimoff, PhD¹, Michael Kress, PhD¹, Elena McCoy, PhD¹, Michelle Dresser, MPH¹, Ann Teresa Lubrano, PhD³, Karen Schwartz, MD⁴, Regina Pepe, JD¹, Amy Simcox, MS¹, Meagan Devereaux, MS¹, and Ann Torino¹. (1) Center for Environmental Science, College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Blvd, Room 310 Bldg 6S, Staten Island, NY 10314, 718-982-3922, gerstle@mail.csi.cuny.edu, (2) Department of Plastic Surgery, Cornell University Medical School/NY Hospital, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10021, (3) Polytechnic University, 6 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201, (4) Department of Endocrinology, North Shore University Hospital, 300 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030

Staten Island, NY (SI) is downwind from the largest petrochemical industry in the world, home of Brookfield (EPA Superfund site) and Fresh Kills landfill. Using cancer incidence and mortality data from NY State Health Department (NYSDOH) and NY City Department of Health and Hygiene (NYCDOHH) it has been determined that SI has among the highest age-adjusted incidence and mortality rates for breast, colon, lung, and lymphoma cancer in the metropolitan region. Our study investigates the association between cancer, and length of residence on SI. Researchers at the Center for Environmental Science developed and validated a methodology for obtaining data from the combination of newspaper obituaries and death certificates. Death certificate data for 1980-1990 for lung cancer (ICD 162.0), breast cancer (ICD 174.0), colorectal cancer (ICD 153.0-154.9), and lymphoma (ICD 200-202.8) were obtained from NYCDOHH as well as a set of controls. Controls were randomly matched by age. Life histories were complied through in-person, surrogate and obituary interviews for both cases and controls. Preliminary analysis using logistic regression demonstrated a significantly increased risk of cancer: (breast p < 0.05), (lung; males p < 0.001 females p < 0.02), (colorectal: males p < 0.01; females p < 0.001), lymphoma (males p< 0. 04, females p < 0.01) associated with length of residence on SI. Comparison to the other neighborhoods on SI demonstrated north shore rates were significantly higher than the rest of SI (p < 0.02). All data are mapped using GIS. Environmental Justice issues will be examined.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) will be able to identify cancer risk factors for urban populations due to environmental perturbations.

Keywords: Environment, Geographic Information Systems

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered