| The city of Sumgayit, Azerbaijan, has been recognized by the United Nations as an “ecological disaster area” following decades of intense and unregulated industrial activity. In collaboration with a number of international agencies, the Government of Azerbaijan and local experts, this study evaluates some of the perceived negative health impacts from exposures present in Sumgayit, and, thereby contributes to the building of local capacity for epidemiological research. Cancer incidence and mortality data in Sumgayit for selected cancer sites are compared over the period 1980–2000 to several regions in Azerbaijan and abroad. While the cancer burden in Sumgayit does appear to be greater than in selected other regions of Azerbaijan, and with respect to national averages, Azeri cancer rates are not elevated in selected international comparisons. Unfortunately, it is not possible to have great confidence in cancer risk assessment in Sumgayit because of issues pertaining to data quality, completeness, and availability. |
