Data Links Air Pollution to Lung Cancer

Researchers in Europe report data that suggests a causal role for air pollution in lung cancer.  Ole Raaschou-Nielsen, of the Danish Cancer Society Research Center (Denmark), and colleagues completed a prospective analysis of data obtained by the European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects (ESCAPE).  The overall analysis comprised 312,944 study participants and about 4.1 million person-years at risk. During a mean follow-up of 12.8 years, 2,095 cases of lung cancer were diagnosed. The meta-analyses showed a significant association between lung cancer and particulate matter <10 micrometers, represented by a hazard ratio of 1.22.  Analyses of associations between air pollution and adenocarcinoma lung cancer showed significant associations for particulate matter <10 micrometers (hazard ratio of 1.51) and <2.5 micrometers (hazard ratio of 1.55). Associations were strongest for participants who resided at the same address for longer periods of time. The study authors conclude that: “Particulate matter air pollution contributes to lung cancer incidence in Europe.”