Author Description

Sydney, Nova Scotia has been the site of heavy air, water, and soil contamination from coke oven & steel foundry emissions for nearly a century. This report presents findings of a research program regarding cancer mortality rates in Sydney and Cape Breton County, and the relation of such mortality to industrial contamination. To assess the causes of death that may be significantly increased in the area closest to the pollution source, the main focus is on comparisons of relative mortality rates between Sydney and the County excluding Sydney. The main part of the report consists of the analysis of 98 major causes of death among males & females aged 20 & over, and of 21 causes of death (including all major disease groups) for the 0-14 year age group. Recommendations are made for further epidemiological research.