Air pollution has long been recognized as a significant risk factor for lung cancer. However, a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health revealed that an elderly person exposed to air pollutants may be prone to various cancers, like colorectal and prostate cancer.
The scientists analyzed Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 or older (data collected from 2000 to 2016 who were initially cancer-free) and created separate cohorts of 2.2 to 6.5 million people for breast, colorectal, prostate, and endometrial cancers.
Researchers then investigated air pollution’s impact on cancer risk considering age, sex, race, BMI, and socioeconomic status. To estimate the individuals’ pollution exposure, they created a predictive map of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and air pollutants (PM2. (https://hoyoskitchen.com) 5) concentrations in the US, based on ZIP codes.
The result showed that chronic exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 increases colorectal and prostate cancer risk, but not endometrial cancer. NO2 contact correlated with lower breast cancer risk, while PM2.5’s impact was uncertain due to its complex composition.
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However, the study displayed that areas with areas with lower air pollution levels and stable PM2.5 composition increased the effect on breast cancer risk. Both pollutants also showed a heightened risk of endometrial cancer, even at lower levels.
The author Joel Schwartz warns US air pollution standards endanger public health due to lack of regulations. Without significantly stricter standards, air pollution will cause numerous avoidable cases of multiple cancers annually.
source: earth.com
