Polluted Air May Increase Cancer Risk

A new study in Hong Kong has indicated that poor air quality might be directly responsible for a whole host of different kinds of cancer. Concentrating on the harmful pollutant particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), the study found that elderly people who suffered prolonged exposure to the contaminant were significantly more likely to develop such forms of the disease as breast, lung and pancreatic cancer.

Although the study focused only on those above the age of 65, the scientists who authored the report believe that the results are transferrable to people of all ages.

Alarming New Statistics

China has long been one of the leading emitters of harmful gases, largely due to the industrial boom and the exorbitant population that it boasts. Indeed, in 2011, Chinese power plants emitted as much nitrogen oxides (NOx) as all of the passenger cars in the world. Despite substantial efforts to tackle the problem, the country still endures a terrible reputation for air quality – especially in big cities like Hong Kong.

This latest study began in 1998 and monitored the levels of PM2.5 surrounding the homes of over 66,000 elderly people until 2011. To qualify for the study, the test subjects had to be 65 or older. Satellite equipment and onsite monitoring apparatus was used to keep track of the PM2.5 data.

Even an incremental rise in PM2.5 levels of 10 micrograms per cubic metre saw men 36% more likely to contract lung cancer. Meanwhile, the same rise led to an incredible 80% rise in the likelihood of women contracting breast cancer. Clearly, the results are alarming – and according to G. Neil Thomas, co-author of the study, there’s reason to suspect such contamination would apply to a younger generation as well.

“Biologically there is no reason to suggestion such observations wouldn’t apply to younger people,” Thomas told Reuters. “It is important though to remember that cancers are chronic diseases and thus it takes years between the exposure to the particulates to the development of a diagnosable cancer.”

PM2.5 Not the Only Cause for Concern

PM2.5 is carcinogenic because it is small enough to be inhaled by humans and infiltrate their bloodstream. From there, the toxins that are contained within it can reach any part of the body, causing all kinds of cancer apart from the expected diseases such as lung and other upper gastrointestinal forms of cancer.

However, it’s not the only contaminant which can cause cancerous cells. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), prolonged ambient exposure to benzene can increase the probability of contracting cancer to 1 in 100,000, even at a level of just 1.7 micrograms per cubic metre.

The aforementioned NOx gases are also a dangerous health concern, while high levels of ozone in the troposphere can cause all manner of respiratory and cardiac ailments. In all, poor air quality is estimated to account for anywhere between 40,000 and 50,000 premature deaths in the UK on annual basis, with almost 10,000 of these occurring in London alone.