Pollution Nano-particles linked to Cancer
A new study has linked air pollution nanoparticles to brain cancer/ tumors for the first time.
The ultra-fine particles (UFPs) are produced during fuel burning, particularly in diesel vehicles, and higher exposures significantly increase people’s chances of getting cancer.
Previous research has shown that nanoparticles can get into the brain and carrying carcinogenic chemicals with them.
Brain tumors are rare, and the researchers have calculated that an increase in pollution exposure similar to moving from a quiet city street to a busy or more populated one leads to one new case of brain cancer for every 100,000 people exposed.
Scott Weichenthal, at McGill University in Canada, said that previously, cancer was never linked to air pollution. Although in a city with a vast population, the patients having brain tumors due to air pollution nanoparticles may be significant.
Pollution Nano-particles linked to Cancer- The Study
The researchers analyzed the medical records and pollution exposure of 1.9 million adult Canadians from 1991 to 2016. Such extensive studies provide strong evidence
In 2016, scientists discovered abundant toxic nanoparticles from air pollution in human brains. An extensive global review in 2019 concluded that air pollution might be damaging every
organ of the human body affecting every cell.Toxic air has been linked to other effects on the brain, including considerable reductions in dementia, intelligence, and mental health problems in humans.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says air pollution is a “silent public health emergency.”
The new study states that people living in a busy city have a 10% increased chance of developing brain cancer.
Pollution Nano-particles linked to Cancer- An Emergency Situation
The pollution levels Toronto and Montreal ranged from 6,000/cm3 to 97,000/cm3. People living with pollution of 50,000/cm3 have a 50% percent higher risk of brain cancer than those living within 15,000/cm3.
Prof Jordi Sunyer termed this finding- Pollution Nano-particles linked to Cancer as ‘important.’ He added that ultra-fine particles are directly emitted by combustion cars, and several studies in animals have shown UFPs could be more toxic than larger particles.
