Air Pollution: Can rising pollution also cause cancer? These information will surprise you

Air pollution is becoming a serious threat to health. For the last month, many neighboring states including the national capital Delhi and NCR have been facing the brunt of pollution. On Thursday (7 November) at 9 am, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was 367, which is considered to be in the 'very poor' category.

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has said in a conclusion that the level of pollution in Delhi has increased so much due to smoke from vehicles, stubble burning, road dust, or firecrackers. All people should keep making continuous efforts to avoid pollution.

Studies have found air pollution to be harmful to health in many ways. Along with respiratory problems, heart and brain diseases are also seen increasing due to air pollution. Some research suggests that staying in a polluted environment for a long time can also be a risk of cancer. Let's know about this.

Risk of lung cancer from both smoking and pollution
The Canadian Cancer Society said in a report that we know that smoking is the biggest risk factor for lung cancer. Now there is also strong evidence that outdoor air pollution is also increasing the risk of lung cancer.

The more you are exposed to air pollution, the greater the risk of lung cancer. Researchers have also found that not only outdoor but indoor pollution can also increase the risk of lung cancer. Radon gas present in indoor air is responsible for this.

What do experts say?
Cancer Research UK said in a report, that air pollution contains a mixture of many types of microscopic and harmful particles, which can increase many types of health risks by reaching the body. For example, small particles have been seen accumulating in the lungs and damaging the DNA in cells. This changes the way cells divide, which can cause cancer.

Air pollution has been blamed for 9% of lung cancer deaths in Europe. In India, there has been a recent increase in cases of lung cancer among non-smokers. Most of these people were seen to have more exposure to polluted environments.

The risk of these cancers also increases.

Air pollution can be responsible for many other types of cancer, not just lungs. Long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM), the main factor of air pollution, has been seen to increase the risk of leukemia in adults and children. This is cancer of blood-forming tissues.

Apart from this, some research also suggests that pollution can also cause the risk of esophageal cancer. This is cancer of the tube (esophagus) going from the throat to the stomach.

Protect from pollution

Studies say air pollution is harmful to overall health. According to the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change 2024, increasing air pollution year after year is not only increasing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, diabetes, neurological disorders, and pregnancy problems, but it has also led to a surge in death cases globally.

All people need to protect themselves from pollution and wear a mask when going out.

(PC: Freepik)