Key points
- Air pollution is now estimated to cause nearly seven million deaths per year
- Air pollution includes outdoor and indoor air pollution
- Air pollution is linked to around 1pc of all cancer cases in Europe
ISLAMABAD: From Lahore in Pakistan to Delhi in India and to Bangkok in Thailand, the young and the old are bearing the consequences of declining air quality and air pollution. Islamabad, arguably one of the greenest capitals in the world is giving a feeling of a dust bowl due to eroding tree cover, increasing traffic congestion and unpredictable weather patterns marked by long dry spells. The wildfires in the United States and the resultant air pollution have forced locals to rush for their N95s.
There are serious health risks associated with air pollution, way serious then what most realise.
According to Union for International Cancer Control, the risks associated with air pollution are similar to those caused by smoking tobacco. Indeed, exposure to air pollution can lead to cancer, stroke, respiratory, cardiovascular diseases and other health issues.
Seven million deaths
Air pollution is now estimated to cause nearly seven million deaths per year.
According to Cancer Research UK, exposure to air pollution increases the risk of lung cancer. Air pollution includes outdoor and indoor air pollution. Both can increase the risk of lung cancer as well as respiratory and heart diseases.
Outdoor 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. But it also includes natural sources of pollutants, such as wind-blown dust, radon and ozone. Research on air pollution usually looks at the smallest particles, called “particulate matter” or PM, according to Cancer Research UK. Outdoor air pollution causes roughly 1 in 10 cases of lung cancer in the UK, according to Cancer Research UK.
According to Canadian Cancer Society, air pollution is a mixture of chemicals, particles and other materials in the air in amounts that could damage the environment or harm the health or comfort of humans, animals and plants.
Air pollution and lung cancer
According to Cancer Research UK, because air pollution contains a mixture of polluting particles, there are a few ways air pollution could cause lung cancer. For example, tiny particles may build up in the lungs and damage the DNA in cells. This can change how cells divide, which can lead to cancer. Researchers are investigating how tiny particles may cause inflammation in the lungs that can lead to cancer.
Indoor air pollution
Indoor air pollution is contained indoors. It can increase the risk of lung cancer, according to Cancer Research UK. There can be many sources of indoor air pollution such as second-hand smoke from cigarettes, cigars and pipes. Burning wood and coal to heat homes or cook with also adds to indoor air pollution.
EEA on risks
According to a European Environment Agency (EEA), exposure to air pollution, second-hand smoke, radon, ultraviolet radiation, asbestos, certain chemicals and other pollutants causes over 10 per cent of all cancer cases in Europe.
Pollutants in the environment and at the workplace, as well as some natural risks, have a huge impact on our health, and in some cases lead to cancer, according to the EEA web report “Beating cancer — the role of Europe’s environment”. Most of these environmental and occupational cancer risks can be reduced by preventing pollution and changing behaviours, according to the EEA study.
Air pollution (both indoor and outdoor) is linked to around one per cent of all cancer cases in Europe, and causes around two per cent of all cancer deaths. For lung cancers alone, this rises to nine per cent of deaths. Recent studies have detected associations between long term exposure to particulate matter, a key air pollutant, and leukaemia in adults and children, according to EEA.
Linked to cancers
According to Canadian Cancer Society, if you already have lung disease or a heart problem, air pollution makes it worse. Air pollution has also been linked to certain cancers.
According to Canadian Cancer Society, most types of air pollution are a mixture of many harmful substances, including small particles in the air, sulphur oxides, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies types of air pollutants based on their link with cancer. For example, gasoline engine exhaust is classified as a possible carcinogen. Radon, diesel engine exhaust and outdoor air pollution are classified as known carcinogens.
Ways to reduce exposure
According to Canadian Cancer Society, one can reduce exposure to outdoor air pollution by: checking daily air quality levels and air pollution forecasts in your area; Avoid exercising near areas where traffic is heavy; Try to plan strenuous outdoor activities at times when the air quality is best, especially if you’re sensitive to air pollution; Lower how much you add to air pollution; Use public transit, cycle or walk instead of driving; If you have to drive, do not leave the engine running when you are parked; and reduce the amount of heating and cooling in your home by making sure it is properly insulated.
According to Canadian Cancer Society, one can reduce exposure to indoor air pollution by: not allowing smoking in your house or vehicles; not idling your vehicle or run other fuel-burning engines in a closed garage or workshop; making sure your home is well ventilated, and switch from a coal- or wood-burning heat source to an electric, natural gas or oil heat source.