Does Air Pollution Causes Lung Cancer? Probably. It has long been suspected that air pollution may cause lung cancer.
Key points
Studies of geographical differences in the risk of lung cancer reveal that lung cancer is more common in urban areas and less common in rural areas.
Still, it has been uncertain whether air pollution is the culprit, or other factors that vary between people who live in urban versus rural areas.
When there is a question, it can be helpful to look at the science behind the theory.
Studies have shown that exposure to air pollution can cause “oxidative stress,” that is, damage to the cells of the body caused by oxidation. This in turn can lead to the development of cancer.
Studies in the United States, Europe, and Asia have suggested that air pollution from traffic and the combustion of coal, diesel fuel, and wood, has a modest association with lung cancer risk. In a 2009 U.S.
study, it was estimated that 5% of male lung cancers and 3% of lung cancers in women between 1970 and 1994 were related to air pollution. One study looking at urban air pollution in Europe suggests that the
risk may be higher, with up to 10.7% of lung cancer cases considered related to exposure to air pollution.
Environmental Cause of Lung Cancer
Environmental Causes of Lung Cancer. Many environmental exposures – not just cigarette smoke – can raise the risk of developing lung cancer. And, like smoking, many of these are avoidable if
we are aware of them. You can reduce your risk by doing things as simple as testing your home for radon, and using an appropriate mask when working with certain chemicals. Some of the most common environmental causes of lung cancer include:
Radon
Exposure to radon in the home is the second-leading cause of lung cancer and the leading cause in nonsmokers.
It’s estimated that around 21,000 people develop lung cancer from radon each year — a cancer with a 5-year survival rate of only 15%. To put this in perspective, around 39,000 women die from breast cancer each
year.
Radon is a radioactive gas that is produced by the natural decay of uranium in the soil. It can enter homes through cracks in the foundation, around sump pumps and drains and through gaps around pipes and wires. Having been found in homes in all 50 states, the only way to know if you are safe is to test your home for radon. Simple do-it-yourself test kits are available at most hardware stores.
- More About Radon and Lung Cancer
- Radon Testing
- Radon Mitigation
Asbestos
Exposure to asbestos is ordinarily considered an occupational exposure, but working with asbestos insulation in older homes (those built prior to 1970) can result in exposure too. Asbestos is responsible for roughly
84% of cases of mesothelioma, a cancer involving the lining of the lungs, and is responsible for
other forms of lung cancer as well.
Left alone, asbestos poses little danger, but exposure can result if it is disturbed. If you choose to
remodel a home that may contain asbestos insulation, hire a certified contractor.
Air Pollution
Air pollution has been looked at as a possible risk factor for lung cancer, because there is a significant difference between the incidence of lung cancer in urban and rural areas, with lung cancer being more
prevalent in urban areas. It is uncertain to what degree air pollution contributes to lung cancer in the United States, but according to the largest study to date, more than 10% of lung cancers in Europe may be secondary to air pollution.
- More About Air Pollution and Lung Cancer
Industrial Chemicals
As with asbestos, most exposures to cancer-causing chemicals occur in the workplace. Certain products used in the home, such as some wood strippers, contain chemicals that are associated with an increased risk
of lung cancer. It’s important to read labels on any of these products and take appropriate precautions as directed on the packaging.
Radiation Exposure
Exposure to medical radiation to the chest for other cancers, for example Hodgkin’s lymphoma or breast cancer, can increase the risk of lung cancer, although the benefits of treatment usually far outweigh this risk. In Japan, exposure to atomic bomb radiation was associated with an elevated risk of developing lung cancer.
Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer in an exposed nonsmoker two- to- three-fold times. It is currently felt to be responsible for 1.6% of lung cancers in the United States (roughly 3,000 cases per year.)
- More About Secondhand Smoke and Lung Cancer
Wood Smoke
Exposure to wood smoke may increase the risk of lung cancer. Converting from wood-burning stoves and fireplaces to other options, such as gas fireplaces, is one way to reduce this risk.
