The WHO Finally Declares Air Pollution As A Cause Of Cancer

The WHO Finally Declares Air Pollution As A Cause Of Cancer

For the first time, the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies that outside air pollution as carcinogenic.

In fact, air pollution has been known for years, could increase the risk of individuals for a variety of ailments, including respiratory and heart disease.

The level of exposure to air pollution has increased significantly in recent years, particularly in the industrialized countries with large populations.

"The air we breathe to be tainted with the cancer-causing substance mixtures," explains Dr. Kurt Straif from international agency for research on cancer (IARC), in a press release, as released Medical Daily.

IARC research applies to all regions of the world, albeit with varying degrees of composition and exposure.

Lung cancer begins in the lungs and can metastasize (spread) to lymph nodes or other organs in the body, such as the brain.

A cancer that originated in other organs can also metastasize to the lungs. In the United States (US), 205.974 people are diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009, while 158.081 people died.

After rising steadily for several decades, the rate of lung cancer now decreases with decreasing the use of cigarettes. Smoking is referred to as the number one cause of lung cancer, though there are also other causes.

Family history is also an important factor in the cause or increase the risk of an individual developing lung cancer.

This includes the use of another type of tobacco (such as pipes or cigars), inhaling cigarette smoke, exposure to substances such as asbestos or radon. And now, according to the WHO, exposure to air pollution.

The main source of outdoor air pollution such as smoke transport, power stations, industrial and agricultural emissions, residential heating and cooking fumes.

There is enough evidence that exposure to outdoor air pollution causes lung cancer and increases the risk of bladder cancer, IARC clearly.

The latest Data shows, in 2010, 223.000 deaths from lung cancer in the entire world due to air pollution.

The particles, a major component of air pollution outside, be evaluated separately, and are also classified as carcinogenic to humans.

The results were based on a review of more than 1,000 scientific research conducted on the five continents, to analyze the karsinogenisasi of various pollutants in the air pollution outside. The findings are based on research of the millions of people who live in Europe, North and South America, and Asia.

IARC's mission is to coordinate and examine the causes of human cancer and to develop scientific strategies for cancer control.