Geographic Health and Human Health; Using Space Technology and Remote Sensing in Monitoring Soil Pollution by Arsenic and the Related Lung Cancer in Isfahan, Iran: A Case Study

Abstract

Background: Lung cancer is the most common disease in the world; thus, identifying the causes of disease as well as distribution centers is one of the most important factors in controlling and reducing the disease. We aimed to monitor the environmental contamination by arsenic and its effect on lung cancer in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: The amount of fertilizers used and the overall statistics of lung cancer in the studied area during the years 2009 to 2011 were gathered. Then, using geographic information system (GIS) software, mapping the disease distribution was done. Finally, the remote sensing technology was used to determine the soil pollution by arsenic and its distribution. Findings: Matching scatter plot of arsenic and lung cancer showed that in areas where the distribution of the arsenic level was higher, the rate of lung cancer was proportionally higher, too. The arsenic levels were higher in the locations that higher amounts of fertilizers were used. Conclusion: The results showed that lung cancer rates are higher in agricultural center. The observed pattern is due to the use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture.

Keywords

• Respiratory diseases
• Spatial distribution
• Arsenic
• Geographic map