Air pollution: how many cigarettes does each Pole ‘smoke’ every year and how does it influence health, with special respect to lung cancer?

Abstract

Introduction. Air pollution is one of the most important issues of our times. Air quality assessment is based on the measurement of the concentration of substances formed during the combustion process and micro-particles suspended in the air in the form of an aerosol. Microscopic atmospheric particulate matters (PM) 2.5 and 10 are mixtures of organic and inorganic pollutants smaller than 2.5 and 10 µm, respectively. They are the main cause of negative phenomena in the earth's atmosphere of Earth and human health, especially on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Particulates have the ability to cause permanent mutations of tissue, leading to neoplasms and even premature deaths. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is one of the main pollutants which arises mainly during the burning of fossil fuels. Based on numerous scientific researches, it has been proved that long-term exposure to NO2 could increase morbidity of cancer due to inflammatory processes increasing abnormal mutations. Materials and method. Data available in the Polish National Cancer Registry, Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection and Map of Health Needs in the Field of Oncology for Poland, WHO Air Quality Guidelines 2005 were analyzed. Air pollution was also evaluated: PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and compared with lung cancer morbidity. Results and conclusions. Based on the available data and literature, it can be concluded that in 2009-2017, on average, each Pole smoked ten cigarettes a day +/-2. Therefore, it can be estimated that after 60 years everyone had 30 package-years of smoking, leading to a high risk of lung cancer and other smoking related diseases. Additionally air quality in Poland is not satisfactory, exceeding the standards presented in the WHO Guidelines 2005. It can be assumed that this may translate into an additional, independent continuous increase in morbidity and mortality dependent on smoking.

Selective Electronic NO2 Sensors Using a Polydimethylsiloxane Filter on WSe2 Devices

“…For environmental monitoring applications, NO 2 is more relevant. NO 2 is not only a strong oxidizing agent and air pollutant but also reacts in the atmosphere to form ozone (O 3 ) and acid rain. , Continuous NO 2 exposure may cause respiratory diseases, ,,, but it cannot be detected by the human senses. Ideally, NO 2 gas sensors should detect NO 2 in the presence of other interfering gas species and should enable detection in explosive environments, i.e., in the presence of combustible materials without further modification (intrinsically safe).…”

Abnormalities in the KRAS Gene and Treatment Options for NSCLC Patients with the G12C Mutation in This Gene—A Literature Review and Single-Center Experience

“…Several particles present in polluted air, including PM2.5, PM10, and NO 2 , are considered to be carcinogenic, with an emphasis on lung cancer development [58]. Badyda et al revealed that in 11 large Polish cities between 2006 and 2011, 20-40% of lung cancer was associated with chronic exposure to PM2.5 [59].…”

Air Pollution in Poland: A 2022 Narrative Review with Focus on Respiratory Diseases

“…Moreover, they estimated that in the years 2006–2011, in eleven large Polish cities, about 20% to 40% of lung cancer cases seemed to be attributable to chronic PM 2.5 exposure [ 94 ]. Chudzik et al estimate that in the years 2009–2017, on average, each Pole “smoked” an equivalent of about 10 cigarettes a day [ 95 ]. Thus, every Pole over 60 years old will reach the “30 pack-years of smoking”, which is considered a threshold for being classified as a high-risk patient and is an indication for low-dose computer tomography screening [ 95 , 96 ].…”

“…Chudzik et al estimate that in the years 2009–2017, on average, each Pole “smoked” an equivalent of about 10 cigarettes a day [ 95 ]. Thus, every Pole over 60 years old will reach the “30 pack-years of smoking”, which is considered a threshold for being classified as a high-risk patient and is an indication for low-dose computer tomography screening [ 95 , 96 ]. Therefore, ambient air pollution may be considered an independent risk factor for lung cancer in Poland [ 95 ].…”

“…Thus, every Pole over 60 years old will reach the “30 pack-years of smoking”, which is considered a threshold for being classified as a high-risk patient and is an indication for low-dose computer tomography screening [ 95 , 96 ]. Therefore, ambient air pollution may be considered an independent risk factor for lung cancer in Poland [ 95 ]. Due to an inadequate number of studies regarding air pollution and lung cancer morbidity and mortality in Poland, a need for further research was previously stipulated [ 97 ].…”