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Smog study fine dust massively increases the risk of cancer
The fact that air pollution can cause serious health risks is something most people are aware of. A new study has now revealed that a permanently high particulate matter pollution significantly increases the risk of death for various cancers.
Fine dust pollution represents a high health hazard
It has long been known that a high particulate matter pollution is a health hazard. According to the medical profession, the tiny particles can damage the respiratory system, aggravate lung diseases such as asthma and smoker's lungs, or even cause a heart attack or stroke. Years ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified air pollution as carcinogenic. How dangerous the inhaled dust particles are has now been confirmed in a new study. Elderly people are therefore much more likely to die of cancer if exposed to consistently high particulate matter levels.
It has long been known that air pollution represents a major health hazard. According to a new study, heavy particulate matter increases the risk of dying from several cancers. (Image: Ralf Geithe / fotolia.com) Significantly increased cancer risk from air pollution
As the scientists from Hong Kong and Great Britain in the journal "Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention" report, the increased risk for a whole range of tumor types. The research team used data from 66,280 people aged 65+ in Hong Kong as the basis for their long-term study. As the news agency dpa reports on the subject, are as fine dust tiny particles up to a size of ten micrometers. Origin of the pollutant particles may be, for example, diesel soot, tire abrasion or exhaust from industrial, power plant or heating systems. Although it is mainly metropolises in Asia that are associated with an extreme level of smog, but in this country, the dangers are great. When Austrian researchers calculated that cities in Europe with the highest particulate matter pollution last year, Stuttgart was one of them. In the capital of Baden-Wuerttemberg, a particulate matter alarm was announced at the beginning of the year. Commuters were then called upon to leave their car at their best.
Risk increased by up to 80 percent
The focus of the current study was particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), which can become lodged deep in the bronchi and alveoli or even pass into the bloodstream. According to dpa, the scientists collected the fine dust values at people's homes. It was found that the risk of dying of cancer increased by ten percent per million cubic meters of increased particulate matter per cubic meter of air. For tumors in the upper digestive tract, the researchers even noted an increase of 42 percent. The risk of cancer death from liver, pancreas or gall bladder increased by 35 percent. As the authors explained, women's risk of dying from breast cancer increased by as much as 80 percent.
Air pollution must be reduced
The links between particulate matter pollution and increased lung cancer risk had been well documented in earlier studies, but the joint study by researchers at Birmingham and Hong Kong Universities was one of the first to demonstrate links between air pollution and other cancers. There is also evidence of a high risk of particulate matter deaths, including the study "European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects" (ESCAPE), published in the journal "The Lancet Oncology". According to a statement from the University of Birmingham, Neil Thomas, working at the college, said that the current study shows that particulate matter in major cities around the world must be "reduced as much and as quickly as possible". According to the researchers, there are several possible explanations for the effects of particulate matter on various types of cancer, including changes in the immune system, DNA repair effects, and inflammation.
Particulate matter requires 100,000 dead every year in Europe
According to the WHO, an annual particulate matter pollution of ten micrograms per cubic meter is just as harmless. Especially in Asia, this limit is exceeded in many cities. According to the WHO figures, Hong Kong has an average annual load of 21 micrograms. On average, people in Beijing are even exposed to 67.7 micrograms of particulate matter. "It's alarming that particulate matter in addition to lung cancer is associated with so many cancers," said Lauri Myllyvirta of Greenpeace. According to the environmental organization, particulate matter causes one million deaths per year in China. After all, there are around 100,000 people in Europe. (Ad)