Greta Jimenez
Air pollution is a significant threat to public health, with 99% of the world's population breathing unhealthy air, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Exposure to air pollution can lead to cancer, stroke, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. 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. While the cancer risk from air pollution is relatively small, nearly half of lung cancer cases in people who have never smoked are estimated to be related to air pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution can cause | Cancer, stroke, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases |
| Air pollution includes | Outdoor and indoor air pollution |
| Outdoor air pollution includes | Tiny dust-like particles and substances in the air that have the potential to negatively impact health |
| Outdoor air pollution can be | Artificial, such as fumes from vehicles or factories and smoke from burning fuels like wood or coal |
| Air pollution is estimated to cause | Nearly seven million deaths per year |
| Air pollution affects | 99% of the world's population |
| Lung cancer cases in people who have never smoked are estimated to be related to air pollution | Nearly half |
What You'll Learn
Outdoor air pollution
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that there is enough evidence to say that outdoor air pollution can cause cancer in people. Nearly half of lung cancer cases in people who have never smoked are estimated to be related to air pollution. The risk of cancer from air pollution is relatively small, with many more lung cancer cases caused by smoking. However, the actions to reduce air pollution, such as increased green spaces, cleaner energy sources, and active transportation (walking and cycling), also lead to a range of health benefits that can reduce the likelihood of developing other cancers.
While it is not possible to completely avoid outdoor air pollution, there are ways to reduce your overall risk of cancer. Not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, staying safe in the sun, and cutting down on alcohol are all proven methods to lower your risk of cancer.
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Indoor air pollution
Air pollution is a significant threat to public health, with 99% of the world's population breathing unhealthy air, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Exposure to air pollution can lead to lung cancer, stroke, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and other health issues.
While it is not possible to completely avoid air pollution, there are ways to reduce your risk of cancer. This includes not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, staying safe in the sun, and cutting down on alcohol consumption. Additionally, actions such as increasing green spaces, using cleaner energy sources, and active transportation (walking and cycling) can lead to a range of health benefits that may also reduce the likelihood of developing cancer.
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Air pollution and smoking
Outdoor air pollution is a mixture of tiny dust-like particles and substances in the air that can negatively impact health. This includes artificial fumes from vehicles or factories, and smoke from burning fuels like wood or coal.
The risks associated with air pollution are similar to those caused by smoking tobacco. However, it is important to note that cancer risk from air pollution is relatively small compared to smoking. Many more lung cancer cases are caused by smoking than air pollution.
To reduce the risk of developing lung cancer, it is recommended to not smoke, maintain a healthy weight, stay safe in the sun, and cut down on alcohol consumption. Additionally, reducing air pollution can help mitigate the risk of lung cancer. This can be achieved through increased green spaces, cleaner energy sources, and active transportation such as walking and cycling.
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Air pollution and lung cancer
Exposure to air pollution can lead to lung cancer, as well as stroke, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the world's population breathes unhealthy air. The risks associated with air pollution are similar to those caused by smoking tobacco. Indeed, nearly half of lung cancer cases in people who have never smoked are estimated to be related to air pollution.
Air pollution includes outdoor and indoor air pollution. 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.
While the cancer risk from air pollution is relatively small, actions to reduce air pollution – such as increasing green spaces, using cleaner energy sources, and encouraging active transportation (walking and cycling) – can also lead to a range of health benefits that may reduce the likelihood of developing other cancers.
It is important to note that there are other factors that affect your risk of cancer more than air pollution. Not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, staying safe in the sun, and cutting down on alcohol are all proven ways to reduce your risk of cancer.
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Reducing air pollution
Exposure to air pollution can lead to cancer, stroke, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Nearly half of lung cancer cases in people who have never smoked are estimated to be related to air pollution.
To reduce air pollution, it is important to increase green spaces, use cleaner energy sources and promote active transportation such as walking and cycling. These actions not only reduce the risk of developing lung cancer but also bring a range of health benefits, including a healthier diet, increased physical activity and lower rates of other non-communicable diseases.
On an individual level, there are several ways to reduce exposure to air pollution. For example, using public transport, carpooling or working from home can help reduce vehicle emissions. Avoiding burning wood or coal for heating or cooking can also reduce indoor air pollution.
Additionally, it is important to note that while air pollution is a significant risk factor for cancer, there are other factors that have a greater impact on an individual's risk. Not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, practising sun safety and reducing alcohol consumption are all proven ways to reduce the risk of cancer.
Finally, while it is impossible to completely avoid air pollution, it is important to be mindful of the sources of pollution and take steps to mitigate their impact. This includes advocating for policies and regulations that address air pollution and support the transition to cleaner energy sources.
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Frequently asked questions
Air pollution contains tiny dust-like particles and substances in the air that have the potential to negatively impact health. These particles can be artificial, such as fumes from vehicles or factories, or smoke from burning fuels like wood or coal.
Air pollution is a significant and far-reaching threat to public health, with 99% of the world’s population breathing unhealthy air, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The risks associated with air pollution are similar to those caused by smoking tobacco.
Air pollution is a contributing factor to the rise in the number of lung cancer diagnoses each year.
While we can't avoid air pollution completely, there are other things that affect your risk of cancer more than air pollution. Not smoking, keeping a healthy weight, staying safe in the sun and cutting down on alcohol are all proven ways to reduce your risk of cancer.
Air pollution can negatively impact the quality of life of people living with cancer by exacerbating respiratory symptoms, increasing fatigue, reducing physical activity, and worsening treatment side effects.
