Kiera Jefferson
Air pollution is a complex mix of particulates in the air, caused by transportation, power generation, industrial or agricultural emissions, and residential heating and cooking. It has been linked to a variety of ailments, and in 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared that outdoor air pollution is a Group 1 carcinogen. Research has shown that exposure to air pollution increases the risk of lung cancer, with a 2014 study suggesting that long-term exposure can cause damage to DNA, mutations, and altered gene expression. This is due to the tiny particles in the air pollution getting trapped in the lungs, causing damage and inflammation that can lead to cancer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How does air pollution affect lung cancer? | Exposure to air pollution can cause lung cancer, even in people who have never smoked. |
| Which pollutants are responsible? | Particulate matter (PM2.5), a mix of solid particles and liquid droplets, including soil, dust, soot and smoke. |
| Where do these pollutants come from? | Coal- and natural gas-fired plants, cars, agriculture, wildfires, wood-burning stoves, unpaved roads and construction sites. |
| How do these pollutants cause lung cancer? | PM2.5 causes inflammation in the lungs, waking up normally inactive cells carrying cancer-causing mutations and triggering uncontrolled growth and tumour formation. |
| Who is most at risk? | People living in areas with high levels of air pollution, including children, the elderly, people with lung and heart disease, people with low incomes, and people who work or exercise outdoors. |
| What can be done to prevent lung cancer from air pollution? | Reducing air pollution and individual actions, such as limiting activity on high pollution days and avoiding idling vehicles. |
What You'll Learn
- Air pollution causes inflammation in the lungs, which can lead to cancer
- Air pollution is linked to higher rates of lung cancer in people who have never smoked
- Air pollution is responsible for roughly 1 in 10 cases of lung cancer in the UK
- Air pollution can cause changes in airway cells that trigger lung cancer
- Air pollution is a significant and far-reaching threat to public health
Air pollution causes inflammation in the lungs, which can lead to cancer
Air pollution is a complex mix of particulates in the air. It can be caused by transportation, power generation, industrial or agricultural emissions, and residential heating and cooking. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified air pollution as a human carcinogen, and it is now considered a leading cause of cancer deaths globally.
Outdoor air pollution is a mixture of tiny dust-like particles and substances in the air that have the potential to negatively impact health. It can be artificial, such as fumes from vehicles or factories, and smoke from burning fuels like wood or coal. But it also includes natural sources of pollutants, such as wind-blown dust, radon, and ozone.
These tiny particles can get trapped in the lungs, causing a buildup that can lead to cell damage and inflammation. This inflammation, over long periods, can cause changes in how these cells replicate, and may even lead to cancer. Research has shown that long-term exposure to air pollution can cause damage to DNA, mutations, and altered gene expression.
In a study of over 460,000 people in England, South Korea, and Taiwan, researchers found a link between exposure to tiny PM2.5 pollution particles and an increased risk of mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene. These particles are less than 2.5 micrometres (microns) across and are produced by burning fossil fuels. The team also found DNA mutations in healthy human lung tissue, suggesting that these mutations increase with age.
When a cell is exposed to pollution, it can trigger a "wound-healing response" that causes inflammation. If that cell harbours a mutation, it will then form a cancer. This insight provides a biological mechanism behind the link between air pollution and lung cancer, and it could pave the way for new cancer prevention strategies.
While smoking is still the leading cause of lung cancer, air pollution is a significant risk factor, especially for those living in areas with high levels of particle pollution.
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Air pollution is linked to higher rates of lung cancer in people who have never smoked
Air pollution is a significant and far-reaching threat to public health, with 99% of the world's population breathing unhealthy air. It has been linked to a variety of health issues, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and dementia. Now, research has revealed a link between air pollution and lung cancer in people who have never smoked.
The research, led by Professor Charles Swanton and funded by Cancer Research UK, found that exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air promotes the growth of cancer-causing mutations in the lungs. PM2.5 refers to tiny airborne particles that are a mix of solid particles and liquid droplets, including soil, dust, soot, and smoke. These particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, causing damage to our health.
The scientists examined data from over 400,000 people from the UK, South Korea, and Taiwan, comparing rates of lung cancer in areas with different levels of PM2.5 pollution. They found higher rates of lung cancer, specifically epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant lung cancer, in people living in areas with higher levels of PM2.5 pollution. This type of lung cancer is commonly found in people who have never smoked.
The mechanism by which air pollution contributes to lung cancer involves the activation of normally inactive cells in the lungs. Cells with cancer-causing mutations accumulate naturally as we age, but they remain dormant until triggered by inflammation caused by PM2.5. The combination of these mutations and inflammation can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and the formation of tumours.
The findings have important implications for public health and support the need to reduce air pollution. By addressing this issue, we can not only lower the risk of lung cancer but also improve overall health and well-being. This includes increasing green spaces, promoting cleaner energy sources, and encouraging active transportation, such as walking and cycling.
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Air pollution is responsible for roughly 1 in 10 cases of lung cancer in the UK
Air pollution is a significant threat to public health, with 99% of the world's population breathing unhealthy air. In the UK, outdoor air pollution is responsible for roughly 1 in 10 cases of lung cancer. While smoking remains the biggest risk factor for lung cancer, the effects of air pollution cannot be understated.
Outdoor air pollution is a mixture of tiny dust-like particles and substances in the air that negatively impact health. This includes artificial sources such as vehicle fumes, factory emissions, and smoke from burning fuels, as well as natural sources like wind-blown dust, radon, and ozone. Of particular concern are fine particulate pollutants known as PM2.5, which are 2.5 micrometres in diameter or smaller. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. They are released from sources such as coal- and natural gas-fired plants, cars, agriculture, wildfires, and wood-burning stoves.
Research has found that exposure to PM2.5 promotes the growth of cells carrying cancer-causing mutations in the lungs. These particles cause inflammation in the lungs, 'waking up' normally inactive cells carrying cancer-causing mutations. The combination of these mutations and inflammation can trigger uncontrolled cell growth, leading to the formation of tumours. This mechanism has been observed in a type of lung cancer called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant lung cancer, which is commonly found in people who have never smoked.
The health risks of air pollution are not limited to lung cancer. Exposure to particle pollution increases the risk of early death, heart disease, asthma attacks, and interferes with lung growth and function. Additionally, air pollution can negatively impact the quality of life for people living with cancer, exacerbating respiratory symptoms, increasing fatigue, and reducing physical activity.
To mitigate the risks associated with air pollution, individuals can take steps such as checking air quality forecasts and limiting activity during periods of high pollution. However, more widespread action is needed. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidelines and recommendations to governments, including prioritising the reduction of air pollution in urban areas, promoting active transport like walking and cycling, and transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
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Air pollution can cause changes in airway cells that trigger lung cancer
Research has shown that exposure to PM, specifically PM2.5, promotes the growth of cells carrying cancer-causing mutations in the lungs. PM2.5 is around 3% of the width of a human hair and is found in vehicle exhaust and smoke from fossil fuels. Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to lung cancer, even at lower levels.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that particulate matter causes lung cancer. This conclusion is supported by epidemiologic studies over the last 40 years, which suggest that ambient air pollution, mainly from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, may be responsible for increased rates of lung cancer. Recent studies have observed up to 50% increases in lung cancer rates associated with exposure to respirable particles.
Additionally, air pollution has been linked to other health problems, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and dementia. It is estimated that nearly half of lung cancer cases in people who have never smoked are related to air pollution. Reducing air pollution is crucial not only for lowering lung cancer risk but also for improving overall public health.
Further research is being conducted to better understand the relationship between air pollution and lung cancer, as well as to develop more effective ways to prevent and treat this disease.
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Air pollution is a significant and far-reaching threat to public health
Research has revealed that exposure to tiny pollutant particles, known as PM2.5, can promote the growth of cells carrying cancer-causing mutations in the lungs. These particles are a mix of solid and liquid droplets, including soil, dust, soot, and smoke, emitted from sources such as coal- and natural gas-fired plants, vehicles, agriculture, and wildfires. They are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, causing damage to our health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that nearly 99% of the world's population breathes unhealthy air, and air pollution is now estimated to cause nearly seven million deaths per year. Low- and middle-income countries bear the heaviest toll, accounting for nearly 90% of premature deaths related to air pollution. Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer of both men and women in the US, and air pollution is a significant contributing factor.
While smoking remains the biggest risk factor for lung cancer, outdoor air pollution causes roughly one in ten cases of lung cancer in the UK. Globally, around 300,000 lung cancer deaths in 2019 were attributed to exposure to PM2.5. Additionally, nearly half of lung cancer cases in people who have never smoked are estimated to be related to air pollution. This highlights the far-reaching impact of air pollution on public health and the urgent need to address this issue.
To mitigate the risks associated with air pollution, it is crucial to reduce exposure to particle pollution. This can be achieved through various measures, such as increasing green spaces, transitioning to cleaner energy sources, and reducing vehicle emissions. By taking these steps, we can not only reduce the risk of developing lung cancer but also improve overall public health and well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
Air pollution is a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles and gases produced by transportation, power generation, industrial or agricultural emissions, and residential heating and cooking.
Air pollution contains a mixture of polluting particles that can build up in the lungs, damaging the DNA in cells and causing inflammation. This can change how cells divide, leading to cancer.
Research suggests that exposure to air pollution can increase lung cancer mortality for people who already have lung cancer.
Sources of indoor air pollution include second-hand smoke from cigarettes, burning wood and coal for heating or cooking, and open fires or traditional stoves.
To protect yourself from indoor air pollution, reduce your exposure to second-hand smoke and avoid burning wood or coal. To reduce your exposure to outdoor air pollution, check air quality forecasts and limit your time outdoors when air quality is poor.
