Status and Solutions: Environment Contamination and Public Health Problems in a Mining Town , South China

Previous studies in Dachang, a mining town of south China, have revealed the presence of contamination levels of concern. Health risk assessments indicate that the town is confronted with serious air pollution and soil pollution, which is resulting in public health risks from contaminated crops grown for home consumption. The inhabitants of this town are at high risk of cancer and non-cancer effects. The available epidemiological data for 2000-2004 show that the total cancer mortality in the town is near three times the average for the rural of China. The lung cancer mortality is 135.56/100,000, which is more than 5 times that of China. The liver cancer mortality is 60/100,000, which is more than double the rate of China. There are also significant mortalities resulting from throat cancer and bone cancer (both are 6.67/100,000) among the inhabitants. Though further study is needed to link exposure with disease etiologies, public health problems obviously exist in this town which may well be associated with environmental exposures. Therefore, the risk assessment data were used to conduct a preliminary risk management analysis of what could be done to mitigate the risks to people living in and around Dachang. Suggestions for risk communication are also included.