Nitrate fertilizers as environmental pollutants: Positive correlation between nitrates (NaNO3 and KNO3) used per unit area and stomach cancer mortality rates

Summary Since a significant positive correlation between nitrate fertilizer exposure and stomach cancer mortality has been found, a study of nitrate fertilizer pollution in arable land in terms of amount of nitrates used per unit area (kg/ha) and stomach cancer death rates was carried out. The regression of death rates for stomach cancer, standardized for age, on the nitrates used per unit area, by province (N=25), exhibited a significant association between the 2 variables (p<0.004). When industrialized provinces (N=3) were not considered, a highly significant association was found (F=16.47; d.f.=1,20;p<0.0006). The correlation coefficient was+0.672.