J Korean Med Sci.  2024 Aug;39(30):e227. 10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e227.

Cancer Incidence Among Residents Near Coal-Fired Power Plants Based on the Korean National Health Insurance System Data

• Han X
• Choi KH
• Lim H
• Choi J
• Bae S
• Ha M
• Kwon HJ

• KMID: 2558521
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e227

Abstract

Background
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, posing a significant threat to human health and life expectancy. Numerous existing studies explored the correlation between coal-fired power plants and cancer development. Currently, Chungcheongnam-do Province hosts 29 coal-fired power plants, constituting half of the total 58 plants across South Korea.
Methods
This study assessed the cancer incidence by proximity to coal-fired power plants in Chungcheongnam-do Province, Korea. In this study, the exposed group comprised individuals residing within a 2-km radius of the coal-fired power plants, whereas the control group comprised individuals who had no prior residency within the 2-km radius of such plants or elsewhere in the province. Standardized incidence ratios were calculated using the cancer incidence cases retrieved from the National Health Insurance System data from 2007 to 2017.
Results
The study found that exposed men had a 1.11 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–1.21) times higher risk of developing all cancer types and a 1.15 (95% CI, 1.09–1.22) times higher risk of developing cancers excluding thyroid cancer compared with control men. Exposed women had a 1.05 (95% CI, 1.00–1.14) times higher risk of developing all cancer types and a 1.06 (95% CI, 0.98–1.13) times higher risk of developing cancers excluding thyroid cancer than did control women. The colorectal, liver, prostate, and bladder cancer incidence rates were significantly higher in exposed men than that in all control groups. The incidence of esophageal, stomach, liver, and lung cancers were significantly higher in exposed women compared with all control groups.
Conclusion
The residents near coal-fired power plants had a higher risk of developing cancer than did those living in other areas. In the future, long-term follow-up investigations in residents living in the vicinity of power plants are warranted.

Keyword

Coal; Power Plant; Incidence; Neoplasms

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Map of study areas and Chungcheongnam-do Province.

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  Fig. 2 The APC of the age-standardized incidence rate of all cancer types excluding thyroid cancer, in residents of the study area, CN by sex.APC = annual percent change, CN = Chungcheongnam-do.

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  Fig. 3 Forest plot of the SIR for cancer and the 95% CIs of residents in the study area near the coal-fired power plants from 2007 to 2017 by area. (A) SIR (95% CI) for cancer among male residents living within the 2-km radius of the CFPP compared with those living outside the 2-km radius. (B) SIR (95% CI) for cancer among female residents living within the 2-km radius of the CFPP compared to those living outside the 2-km radius. (C) SIR (95% CI) for cancer among male residents living within the 2-km radius of the CFPP compared to those living in Chungcheongnam-do. (D) SIR (95% CI) for cancer among female residents living within the 2-km radius of the CFPP compared to those living in Chungcheongnam-do.SIR = standardized incidence ratio, CI = confidence interval, CFPP = coal-fired power plant.

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