catania, italy — A new scientific study examining the high incidence of thyroid cancer in residents of Catania province’s volcanic region have noted that the drinking water there contains levels of many elements that exceed safe drinking water standards.

Mount Etna, located on the east coast of the island of Sicily, close to Messina and Catania, is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Lead researcher Dr. Gabriella Pellegriti, from the University of Catania Medical School’s Endocrinology Division, and the other authors found that the incidence rate of thyroid cancer for Sicilians living near Mount Etna was high compared with those living in non-volcanic areas.

They noted in the article abstract: “Various environmental factors, such as those associated with volcanic areas, cannot be excluded as risk factors. … Levels of many elements (including boron, iron, manganese, and vanadium) in the drinking water of Catania province often exceeded maximum admissible concentrations, in contrast to water in the rest of Sicily.”

The authors report that more research is warranted to identify “specific risk factors for thyroid cancer in this and other volcanic environments.”

The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, was made available November 5 via the journal’s online “Advance Access.”

To read the full article, click here.

For related information, click here.