Review Article
Year: 2023 | Month: September | Volume: 13 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 215-224
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20230932
An Analysis of Cancer Causing Agents and Its Association with the Prevalence of Cancer Cases in Noyyal River Basin, Tamil Nadu, India - An Explorative Study Based on Scientific Evidences
Sujitha S1, Prabu D2, Dinesh Dhamodhar3, Rajmohan M3, Sindhu R4
1Postgraduate Researcher, Dept of Public Health Dentistry, Public Health Forum SRM, Ramapuram, Chennai-89.
2Professor and Head, Dept of Public Health Dentistry, Public Health Forum SRM, Ramapuram, Chennai-89.
3Reader, Dept of Public Health Dentistry, Public Health Forum SRM, Ramapuram, Chennai-89.
4Senior Lecturer, Dept of Public Health Dentistry, Public Health Forum SRM, Ramapuram, Chennai-89.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Prabu D
ABSTRACT
Water is one of the most crucial factors determining the quality of life of the people. The objective of the study is to find whether there is any association between the presence of carcinogens in Noyyal river basin in Coimbatore and Tirupur and increase in the number of cancer cases in the cities. Carcinogens were identified based on “International Agency for Research on Cancer” lists of carcinogens with cancer site. The cross-sectional studies included in the study are from the year 2009 to 2022. The concentration of potential carcinogens such as cadmium, hexavalent chromium, nickel, lead, arsenic, nitrite/nitrate and phosphates are evaluated. Their levels were compared with WHO standard limit for drinking water. Tamil Nadu Cancer Registry Project report 2021 was used to calculate the percentage of cancer cases reported in each district contributing to the overall Tamil Nadu. The results show that Noyyal is highly contaminated to the extent where aquatic organisms show up critical levels of heavy metal. Government should respond to the perilous situation where drinking water and human consuming foods are suffused with carcinogens.
Key words: Heavy metals, Carcinogens, Industrialization, Water Pollution, Cancer.