Lung cancer is not the only cancerous threat related to air pollution. Research suggests that there are other cancers leading to increased mortality rates, that are also linked to air pollution.
Indoor air quality and air pollution are not only linked to lung cancer, but exposure to poor air can lead to kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and colorectal cancer. In fact, a study has found that air pollution increased the risk of death due to kidney, bladder, and colorectal cancer. "According to researchers, air pollution represents a complex mixture of a broad range of carcinogenic and mutagenic substances that may play a role in chronic systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and DNA damage in tissues that could ultimately prove fatal." Lung cancer is quite possibly the most well known cancer that it related to breathing poor air, but the mortality rates due to these other cancers mentioned have been on the rise.
According to the International Journal of Cancer, a European study indicated "weakly increased risk for kidney cancer among occupational groups exposed to gasoline vapors, engine exhaust, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other air pollutants." This would include anyone working in the automobile, mechanical, factory, or construction industries. Similarly, bladder cancer has been linked to outdoor air pollution, specifically gasoline vapors and engine exhaust. Several studies have found that people living in urban areas are at higher risk to develop urinary cancer than people living in rural settings. Furthermore, taxi, bus, and truck drivers, along with other workers who spend ample time outdoors near high traffic, have an increased risk to bladder cancer. The findings related to bowel cancer in this study was closely related to nitrogen dioxide, which again is known to be produced by diesel fuels.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducted a study that found a link between high levels of PM2.5 particulate air pollution and increased incidents of breast cancer. One of the largest studies of its kind reasearchers focused on the long-term effects of PM2.5 exposure and found an 8% increase in breast cancer incidence among women exposed to higher levels. Researchers used data from over 500,000 participants suggested that PM2.5 may influence breast cancer development through endocrine disruption, particularly in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) tumors. While the study's findings are significant, further research is needed to understand regional differences in air pollution and its impact on breast cancer risk.
These studies are ground breaking as they bring awareness to cancers, aside from lung cancer, that are linked to air pollution. More studies are underway to further look into these fatal cancers. The best way to protect yourself against illnesses caused by ultrafine particles, particulates, mold, pollen, allergens, and other airborne pollutants is with an Intellipure air purifier. Intellipure's DFS technology uses electronically enhanced filtration to attract and capture ultrafine particles (99.97% filtration down to 0.3 microns). Simply choose an Intellipure air purifier and experience world-class indoor air quality for better living.
