Abstract A147: Pediatric cancer risk and environmental contamination: A regional analysis of superfund sites in Puerto Rico

Abstract Superfund sites, designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for hazardous waste cleanup, pose long-term environmental and health risks to nearby communities. Puerto Rico hosts several of these sites, many of which contain chemicals classified as known or probable human carcinogens. Pediatric populations are especially vulnerable due to developmental sensitivities and higher relative exposure to environmental toxins. While malignant epithelial neoplasms are not a leading cause of pediatric cancer in the United States, they are the second most common cancer type among children in Puerto Rico. This project explores potential associations between pediatric cancer incidence and proximity to Superfund sites across the island. The study examines the types of contaminants present, their carcinogenic classifications, the responsible industries, and regional pediatric cancer patterns. A site-by-site environmental assessment was conducted using EPA records to catalog contaminants at each of Puerto Rico’s 27 Superfund sites. Identified substances were cross-referenced with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to determine their classification as known or suspected carcinogens (Group 1 or 2). Pediatric cancer incidence data from 2009 to 2020 were obtained from the Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry and geographically mapped to assess correlation with contaminated sites. The industrial source of each site’s contamination was also documented. Sites included locations such as Barceloneta Landfill, Cabo Rojo and Cidra Groundwater Contamination, RCA del Caribe, Scorpio Recycling, PROTECO, Vega Alta Public Supply Wells, and the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Area in Vieques. Many of these are situated in regions with elevated pediatric cancer rates. Elevated rates of pediatric cancer coincided with several Superfund sites. Of 303 cases of pediatric malignant epithelial neoplasms, 206 were thyroid cancers. Thyroid cancer-associated carcinogens including polychlorinated biphenyls, cadmium, and dioxins were found at multiple sites. The Arecibo Region reported the highest incidence rate of malignant epithelial neoplasms (48.52 per 1,000,000). These findings reveal a troubling overlap between hazardous environmental exposure and elevated pediatric cancer rates in Puerto Rico. This underscores an urgent need for enhanced environmental monitoring, targeted health initiatives, and policies designed to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children. Ongoing analysis will clarify pollutant-specific risks and inform future prevention strategies. Citation Format: Celinés Rodríguez-Acevedo, Gabriela S. Pardo-Toro, Carolyn M Ruiz-Pérez, Sofía González-Pérez, Alejandra Lamoso-Muñoz, Karen Ortiz, Carlos Torres, Nancy R. Cardona-Cordero, Ana Patricia Ortiz, Rocío K. Rivera-Valentín. Pediatric cancer risk and environmental contamination: A regional analysis of superfund sites in Puerto Rico [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 18th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2025 Sep 18-21; Baltimore, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A147.