Air and water pollution combined with widespread use of food
additives and pesticides made cancer the top killer in China last
year, according to a recent government survey.
Cancer topped the list of the 10 most lethal diseases for urban
residents last year, followed by cerebrovascular diseases and heart
ailments, according to the survey in 30 cities and 78 counties
released by the Ministry of Health.
"The main reason behind the rising number of cancer cases is
that pollution of the environment, water and air is getting worse
day by day," said Chen Zhizhou, a health expert with the cancer
research institute affiliated to the Chinese Academy of Medical
Sciences.
"Many chemical and industrial enterprises are built along rivers
so that they can dump the waste into water easily," Chen said.
"Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides also pollute
underground water.
"The contaminated water has directly affected soil, crops and
food," he added.
Air pollution is a major cause of lung cancers, as harmful
granules enter the lungs and cannot be discharged. Large amounts of
formaldehyde and its compounds used in house renovations and
furniture has been blamed for deterioration in air quality.
In addition, farmers use additives on pigs, poultry and
vegetables to make them grow faster.
The survey, the first of its kind in recent years, showed that
the death rate from cancer has risen to 19 percent in cities and 23
percent in rural areas.
In rural areas, 92 percent of fatalities were caused by 10
illnesses, the first three being cancer, cerebrovascular diseases
and respiratory diseases.
Reports on "cancer villages" have popped up frequently in recent
years.
An investigative story by Xinhua last June said a high rate of
cancer deaths has become a reality in areas where the environment
is heavily polluted.
In Shangba Village of Guangdong Province, for instance, more than
250 people died of cancer from 1987 to 2005; while in Huangmengying
Village of Henan Province, more than 114 people died of
cancer between 1991 and 2005.
Similar cases were also reported in other provinces, with the
usage of heavily-polluted water being the common factor.
(China Daily May 21, 2007)