By Armaan Singh
What comes to mind when we think about possible carcinogens? We usually imagine cigarette smoke, alcohol, and radiation. However, a carcinogen that is rarely spoken about is geothermal energy. Geothermal energy is lauded as a sustainable source of environmentally friendly hydroelectric power and comes from the rocks and fluids beneath the earth’s crust. Nations such as Iceland are celebrated for their environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. Iceland is a pioneer in the use of geothermal energy for space heating. Geothermal water is used to heat 90% of homes in Iceland. Drawing upon the high concentration of volcanoes in the country, geothermal energy is abundant. Generating electricity with geothermal energy has increased significantly in recent years. Geothermal power facilities currently generate 25% of the country's total electricity production. The ability to harness geothermal energy to heat homes and to avoid the use of fossil fuels such as coal and oil is tremendous, but unfortunately, recent studies demonstrate a link between geothermal energy and cancer.
Now before we dive into how geothermal energy can cause cancer, we need to examine the fundamentals of cancer. Cancer, simply described, is an abnormal growth of cells that divide uncontrollably and damage tissue. Due to the difficulty in detection coupled with devastating efficiency, cancer is the second leading cause of death. If cancer is an internal disease, how do carcinogens in the environment cause it? The answer is in DNA. DNA gives us the instructions we need to function, and is integral to our survival, development, and reproduction. When DNA is damaged, the effects are extremely fatal to our homeostasis. This is precisely what carcinogens do: they damage our DNA, leading to unchecked cell growth and cancer. The most well-known carcinogen is cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke poisons and damages DNA by inhibiting the immune system, triggering a cascade of inflammatory agents and disrupting its balance. While cigarette smoke and radiation are well known carcinogens, geothermal areas in Iceland can be equally damaging. The Icelandic lifestyle is based around a dependence on geothermal energy from the earth and it is viewed as a valuable resource.
Studies show that Iceland, startlingly, has the highest mortality rate of breast cancer. Why is this? Iceland is ranked in the top 10 in the world for their healthcare system. Iceland has not been subject to any nuclear radiation the same way Japan and other countries exposed to war have been. Without the exposure to nuclear radiation, it is puzzling to find high cancer rates. The answer to this puzzle perhaps lies in understanding Iceland’s surroundings and environment. Iceland is one of the most geologically unique places on the planet. It is formed from a mix of volcanic activity and melted glaciers that come together to form natural marvels, such as naturally warm (and odd smelling) water along with extremely fresh seafood. In the midst of all the benefits, however, lie some particularly ugly repercussions.
Researchers examined cancer from 1981 to 2010 and compared the cancer rates from cold to geothermal areas. The results yielded that geothermal areas have higher rates of all cancer and are significantly higher in breast cancer and basal cell carcinoma. The exposure to chronic low-level ground gas emissions and pollutants from geothermal water causes the spike in cancer rates. During eruptive and post eruptive phases of volcanic activity in Iceland, heavy metals and toxic gases are released into the environment. A similar study was conducted in a small district of Turkey. This was the Güzelçamlı-Davutlar district of Aydın city in Turkey’s western regions. This town is a popular tourist destination and is known for its clean water. Its soil was examined and was found to be containing Radon, a chemical gas. Radon is also found in igneous rocks such as granite, which are very prevalent in Iceland. For those unaware, Radon is an extremely toxic gas and a known carcinogen which is the second most contributing cause to lung cancer next to smoking. In Turkey, despite breast cancer being the most common type of cancer worldwide, lung cancer is the most common due to geothermal activity. In conclusion, while geothermal energy is a blessing and can improve the quality of life and lead to environmental sustainability, there are some serious drawbacks regarding land that was once volcanic. Iceland continues to draw tourists from around the world that are awestruck by the land of fire and ice. While Iceland is truly a remarkable place, further studies must be done to truly understand how geothermal energy and cancer are linked.
What have I learned?
Question 1: What is geothermal energy?
Answer: Geothermal energy comes from the sub-surface of the earth and is contained in rocks and fluids beneath the earth’s crust.
Question 2: What is Radon?
Answer:
Radon is a chemical gas found in igneous rocks such as granite, which is very prevalent in Iceland. For those unaware Radon is an extremely toxic gas and a known carcinogen.
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