Children, the environment and cancer

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Specific environmental contaminants - II

Air pollution

Pollutants in the air vary from location to location based on local emissions or emissions that move from other regions. Some of the components of air pollution can be cancer-causing.

Current research supports an association between urban air pollution and a small number of cancers of the respiratory system. There is stronger evidence showing an increased risk of respiratory disease, including bronchitis and pneumonia in older people due to air pollution, and asthma in young people. Air pollution can also cause aggravation of existing lung conditions.

More toxic substances come from smoking than from air pollution. Some research suggests that smoking has stronger carcinogenic effects on the lungs of smokers who live in cities. It may be that pollutants in the urban air make tobacco smoke even more carcinogenic.

Reducing air pollution by limiting emissions and encouraging alternative practices in industries and by individuals is one way to decrease the cancer risk associated with air pollution. For example, industries may be able to implement cleaner processes that result in fewer emissions. Individuals might occasionally consider walking, taking the bus or car-pooling instead of driving because transportation is a major source of air pollutants. The single most effective way to reduce urban air pollution is by the development of mass transit systems using the best available pollution reduction technologies.

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