Air pollution linked to increased risk of non-lung cancers in older adults

Chronic Exposure to Air Pollution Increases Non-Lung Cancer Risk in Older Adults

A study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has found that chronic exposure to fine particulate air pollutants (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) may increase the risk of non-lung cancers in older adults. The researchers analyzed data from millions of Medicare beneficiaries and discovered that exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 over a 10-year period raised the likelihood of developing colorectal and prostate cancers. Furthermore, even low levels of air pollution exposure made individuals more susceptible to breast and endometrial cancers.

“Our findings uncover the biological plausibility of air pollution as a crucial risk factor in the development of specific cancers, bringing us one step closer to understanding the impact of air pollution on human health. To ensure equitable access to clean air for all populations, we must fully define the effects of air pollution and then work towards reducing it.”

– Yaguang Wei, Research Fellow in the Department of Environmental Health

The study was published online on August 1, 2023, in Environmental Epidemiology.

Examining the Effects of Air Pollution on Non-Lung Cancers

While the association between air pollution and lung cancer has been well-established, research on its effects on prostate, colorectal, and endometrial cancer risk has been limited. To address this gap, the researchers analyzed data from national Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 or older, collected between 2000 and 2016. All participants were cancer-free for at least the initial 10 years of the study period. Separate cohorts were created for each type of cancer, with between 2.2 million and 6.5 million subjects in each cohort. The researchers conducted separate analyses to examine cancer risk under the influence of air pollutants for various subgroups based on factors such as age, sex (for colorectal cancer only), race/ethnicity, average BMI, and socioeconomic status.

Using data from various air pollution sources, the researchers developed a predictive map of PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations across the contiguous U.S. This map was then linked to the residential ZIP codes of the beneficiaries to estimate individual exposures over a 10-year period.

Findings and Implications

The nationwide analysis revealed that chronic exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 increased the risk of developing colorectal and prostate cancers, but did not show an association with endometrial cancer risk. For breast cancer, NO2 exposure was associated with a decreased risk, while the association with PM2.5 was inconclusive. The researchers suggested that the mixed associations may be due to variations in the chemical composition of PM2.5, which is a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles.

When the analysis was limited to regions with air pollution levels significantly below national standards and stable PM2.5 composition, the effect of air pollution on breast cancer risk became more pronounced. Stronger associations between exposures to both pollutants and endometrial cancer risk were also found at lower pollution levels.

In subgroup analyses, the researchers found evidence suggesting that communities with higher average BMI may face disproportionately higher risk of all four cancers from NO2 exposure, and that Black Americans and those enrolled in Medicaid may be more susceptible to cancer risks (prostate and breast, respectively) from PM2.5 exposure.

The researchers emphasized that even communities with seemingly clean air were not immune to cancer risk. They discovered significant associations between exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 and the risks of all four cancers, even at pollution levels below the newly updated World Health Organization guidelines, which are stricter than current U.S. standards.

“The key message here is that U.S. air pollution standards are inadequate in protecting public health,” said senior author Joel Schwartz, professor of environmental epidemiology. “The Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed stricter standards for PM2.5, but their proposal doesn’t go far enough in regulating this pollutant. Current NO2 standards are also woefully inadequate. Unless all of these standards become much, much stricter, air pollution will continue to result in thousands of unnecessary cases of multiple cancers each year.”

Other Harvard Chan School authors involved in the study include Edgar Castro, Cristina Su Liu, Xinye Qiu, James Healy, and Bryan Vu.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis:

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the health impacts of air pollution, specifically the increased risk of developing colorectal, prostate, breast, and endometrial cancers. This connects to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Additionally, the article mentions the need to define the effects of air pollution and work towards reducing it, aligning with SDG 11 on creating sustainable cities and communities. The issue of air pollution is also relevant to SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Lastly, SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, is connected as air pollution can have detrimental effects on land ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
• Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets identified are related to reducing deaths and illnesses from air pollution (Target 3.9), improving air quality in cities (Target 11.6), integrating climate change measures into policies (Target 13.2), and ensuring the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems (Target 15.1).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution
• Indicator: Air quality index in cities
• Indicator: Integration of climate change measures in national policies
• Indicator: Conservation and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators, but based on the identified targets, indicators such as the number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution, air quality index in cities, integration of climate change measures in national policies, and conservation and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table:

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Source: news-medical.net

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