A new study links particulate matter air pollution to breast cancer and cancers of digestive organs, and finds that higher exposures to particulate matter greatly increase the risk of death from cancer.
An increase in long term exposure of fine particulate matter of just 10 microgram per cubic meter increased the risk from dying from any cancer. Increased risks for dying from some types of cancer were higher – sometimes much higher.
“That level of exposure caused a 42 percent rise in the risk of dying from cancer of the upper digestive tract and a 35 percent greater risk of death from cancer of accessory digestive organs—the liver, bile ducts, gallbladder and pancreas. For women, the risk of dying from breast cancer rose by 80 percent for every 10-microgram increase, and men were 36 percent more likely to die of lung cancer at that level of exposure.”
This study is important, because it shows linkages between particulate matter and cancers throughout the body – not just lung cancer.
“The researchers said that the association between the fine particulate matter and cancer could be the result of damage to the body’s DNA-repair function, changes in the immune response or inflammation that triggers the growth of new blood vessels fueling the spread of tumors.”
Study authors said, “The implications for other similar cities around the world are that PM2.5 must be reduced to reduce the health burden. Air pollution remains a clear, modifiable public health concern.”
Particulate Matter is created by industrial sources such as diesel trucks, coal power plants, automobiles, and burning of biomass. In Hong Kong, the main cause of street level pollution is diesel exhaust, particularly trucks and buses.
For more information, see:
Fine-particle pollution linked to wider number of cancers, premature births, Washington Post
AIR PARTICLE POLLUTION EXPOSURE LINKED TO HIGHER CANCER DEATH RISK, Newsweek
Long-term exposure to particulate air pollutants associated with numerous cancers, Environmental News Network
Abstract – Cancer Mortality Risks from Long-term Exposure to Ambient Fine Particle, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention