PM_2.5 Pollution and Risk for Lung Cancer: A Rising Issue in China

Abstract

This study is focused on the linkage between lung cancer incidence rates and PM 2.5 pollution. Researches conducted by leading research organizations in U.S. and Europe were reviewed and analyzed, and strong evidence exists that elevated fine particulate air pollution exposures are associated with significant increases in lung cancer mortality. The linkage between fine particulate air pollution and lung cancer motility is observed even after controlling for cigarette smoking, occupational exposure, and other risk factors. This finding is in alignment with observations in China which show an upward trend of lung cancer incidences coupled with a downward trend in the number of smokers. Currently, China lacks systematic research on the effect of PM 2.5 on lung cancer. As a result, this paper investigated studies on the linkage between pollution and lung cancer incidence from decades of research conducted in the U.S. and Europe. One important step in solving this issue in China is through classifying PM 2.5 pollution as a human cacinogen. Adequate government regulation, public awareness, regional collaboration and industrial compliance are also key to the successful control of PM 2.5 pollution and smog.