Silica and Esophageal Cancer in Golestan Province Northeast of Iran

Objectives: Association of silica with diseases like cancers has been determined previously. This study was designed to determine the quantity of silis in flour produced in Golestan province and its relation to the esophageal cancer. Methodology: We took flour samples from all flour mills in Golestan province. Base-melting method in nickel cruise was used in 550°c; the extract was reduced with acid. The differences between silis concentration in various regions were compared. P-value <0.05 was assumed significant. Results: Median silis concentration was 0.0030grams, mean was 0.008760 ± 0.004265 (SD) grams in each 100 grams flour. The differences in mean silis concentrations of various regions were not significant (P>0.05). Conclusions: This study did not show high level of silica in the flour of Golestan province. We could not find significant differences between silica contaminations in the various areas. Further studies on the consumed bread and rice in the various regions of the province can be helpful.