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One area sees 3.5 times national average
The So-myeon district in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, houses many cement factories. It also has a larynx cancer rate more than three times the national average. The National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) has launched an investigation in connection with the matter. According to National Cancer Center (NCC) data, which was obtained by The Hankyoreh yesterday, in the relatively small So-myeon area, four residents developed cancer in their larynx between 1999 to 2005. This figure is about 3.5 times the one (1.15) expected patient during the same period, according to national statistics. In contrast, the overall incidence of cancer patients in the area was lower than the national average. According to the NCC's calculation, 45 of 4,538 So-myeon residents developed cancer between 1999 and 2002, 23 percent less than the expected 61.34 cases.Health experts are trying to determine if the dust from the area's cement factories explains the exceptional incidence of larynx cancer. Researcher Hwang Seung-sik of the NCC said, "Smoking is a main cause of larynx cancer, but there are reports saying that cement dust containing a number of harmful materials also increases incidence of larynx cancer." It was not said whether or not the four cancer patients were smokers. This area is heavily concentrated with cement factories, with Ssangyong and Hyundai cement in So-myeon proper, and Asia Cement in nearby Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province. This area produces more than 20 percent of the nation's cement. The NCC has confirmed that Yeongwol has a greater incidence of respiratory and cardiac problems than other regions in Gangwon Province. Dust in the air has a connection to these diseases; however, the NCC refused to reveal specific data on those topics. An NCC official said, "The NCC is mulling how to perform its investigation after collecting opinions from experts. It will begin the investigation as soon as possible."
