Traffic‐related air pollution and the incidence of childhood central nervous system tumors: Texas, 2001–2009

Background Due to increasing concerns regarding air pollution and childhood cancer, we conducted a population‐based study evaluating the association between traffic‐related hazardous air pollutants (1,3‐butadiene, benzene, diesel particulate matter [DPM]) and the incidence of childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Procedure Information on children diagnosed with a CNS tumor at <15 years of age, in Texas, for the period of 2001–2009 (n = 1,949) was obtained from the Texas Cancer Registry. Information on the corresponding at‐risk population was obtained from the United States (U.S.) Census. Annual census tract‐level pollutant concentrations, estimated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, were categorized based on quartiles (low, medium, medium‐high, and high) of the statewide distribution. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to calculate adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR). Juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas (JPAs) (n = 384), other astrocytomas (n = 372), ependymomas (n = 142), medulloblastomas (n = 235), and primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) (n = 47) were evaluated. Results Census tracts with medium and medium‐high 1,3‐butadiene concentrations had higher astrocytoma incidence rates (aIRR [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 1.46 [1.05‐2.01] and 1.69 [1.22‐2.33], respectively) compared with low concentrations. Census tracts with medium DPM concentrations had higher astrocytoma (aIRR [95%CI]: 1.42 [1.05–1.94]) and medulloblastoma (aIRR [95%CI]: 1.46 [1.01–2.12]) incidence rates compared with low concentrations. Increased concentrations of 1,3‐butadiene and benzene were strongly associated with increased PNET incidence rates, but were not statistically significant. No associations were detected with JPA or ependymoma incidence. Conclusions In one of the largest studies of its kind, our results suggest positive associations between hazardous air pollutants and incidence of astrocytoma (1,3‐butadiene and DPM) and medulloblastoma (DPM). Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1572–1578.