KURT STRAIF: CANCER RATE WILL DOUBLE
Kurt Straif, International Agency for Research on Cancer, said during
the International Scientific Symposium on Emerging Issues in
Environmental and Occupational Health at the American University to
Armenia said the rate of cancer is growing all over the world. In 2030
the rate of cancer is expected to grow twice. The bulk will be in low
and medium income countries.
Prevention is the key to tackle this challenge, identification and
reduction of the cause of cancer, the expert advises low income
countries. He reminded that miners die at an early age. Studies have
revealed that the cause is radon and its derivatives which expose
miners to a high risk.
In regard to Armenia Kurt Straif said arsenic discovered in Armenia
causes cancer of urinary organs and skin. Chrome VI derivatives causes
lung cancer, cadmium causes kidney and lung cancer.
Varduhi Petrosyan, head of Health Service Study and Development Center
of AUA, presented results of studies in Armenia. In Akhtala, the level
of pollution with arsenic, lead and chrome are higher than the
international allowable level. Studies of 19 communities situated
close to mines showed that the level of chrome was 65%, cadmium was 5%
and arsenic was 52% higher than the allowable level.
Studies also revealed problems with tails, notably there are no
warning signs, regular monitoring, in some communities materials were
taken from tails to use as building material. Besides, soil pollution
exposes children to heavy metals, there are tailings reservoirs near
schools.
12:34 23/04/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/society/view/29697
Kurt Straif, International Agency for Research on Cancer, said during
the International Scientific Symposium on Emerging Issues in
Environmental and Occupational Health at the American University to
Armenia said the rate of cancer is growing all over the world. In 2030
the rate of cancer is expected to grow twice. The bulk will be in low
and medium income countries.
Prevention is the key to tackle this challenge, identification and
reduction of the cause of cancer, the expert advises low income
countries. He reminded that miners die at an early age. Studies have
revealed that the cause is radon and its derivatives which expose
miners to a high risk.
In regard to Armenia Kurt Straif said arsenic discovered in Armenia
causes cancer of urinary organs and skin. Chrome VI derivatives causes
lung cancer, cadmium causes kidney and lung cancer.
Varduhi Petrosyan, head of Health Service Study and Development Center
of AUA, presented results of studies in Armenia. In Akhtala, the level
of pollution with arsenic, lead and chrome are higher than the
international allowable level. Studies of 19 communities situated
close to mines showed that the level of chrome was 65%, cadmium was 5%
and arsenic was 52% higher than the allowable level.
Studies also revealed problems with tails, notably there are no
warning signs, regular monitoring, in some communities materials were
taken from tails to use as building material. Besides, soil pollution
exposes children to heavy metals, there are tailings reservoirs near
schools.
12:34 23/04/2013
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/society/view/29697