Extensions to a technique for relating mortality and environment--exemplified by nasal cancer and industry.

Abstract

The use of geographic data to interrelate mortality rates and environmental variables is an important approach to determining reasons for the variations in disease frequency. An alternative methodology to standard regression analysis was suggested, which was useful when there were a large number of geographic areas and relatively few deaths. An extension of this technique was described, which included a modified regression approach using areas aggregated according to their level of the environment factor. An example was given relating nasal cancer mortality to the distribution of industry in England and Wales [UK]. The known hazards in the furniture and leather industries were indicated and other potential risk industries, including tailoring, were suggested.