Ambient PM _2.5 exposure and risk of lung cancer incidence in North America and Europe

Abstract

Regulatory analysis in the US has not previously identified lung cancer incidence as an adverse health outcome of fine particle air pollution (PM 2.5 ). In an effort to provide the latest scientific knowledge in support of the pending scientific evaluation of PM 2.5 by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between long-term PM 2.5 exposure and lung cancer incidence. We extracted data from four studies based on North American study populations and two studies based on European study populations in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The results of the meta-analysis indicate a 25% increased risk of lung cancer incidence per 10 μg m −3 increase in PM 2.5 concentrations (RR=1.25, 95% CI: 1.12-1.40), which is higher than previously published risks for lung cancer mortality. These effects were observed at concentrations relevant to current US standards. It is recommended that the EPA identifies lung cancer incidence, in addition to previous evidence for lung cancer mortality, as an adverse effect of long-term PM 2.5 exposures.

Ambient Cumulative PM2.5 Exposure and the Risk of Lung Cancer Incidence and Mortality: A Retrospective Cohort Study

“…The current study demonstrates a visible trend of cumulative PM 2.5 exposure which increases by 1.32 the risk of LC incidence in never smokers, consistent with the results of previous meta-analyses showing a 1–46% increase in the risk of LC incidence per 10 μg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 concentration [ 15 , 29 , 30 ]. The interpretation of previous study results should be performed with caution, noting their geographical diversity and heterogeneous definitions of smoking status.…”

“…Stronger associations between PM 2.5 and LC in Asia than in North America and Europe have been reported [ 12 , 15 ]. The PM 2.5 exposure concentration, with an average of 20.40 μg/m 3 , was higher in the current study than the levels reported in most previous Western studies which had average concentrations from 6.6 to 13.0 μg/m 3 [ 13 , 29 , 30 ]; this might be a potential contributor to higher incidences of LC in Taiwan. Several possible mechanisms for the related pathogenesis of PM 2.5 and LC development have been proposed.…”

Evaluating county-level lung cancer incidence from environmental radiation exposure, PM2.5, and other exposures with regression and machine learning models

“…[Male: 0.99 (0.98, 0.99), Female: 0.99 (0.98, 0.99)]. Also, Background gamma count (RadNet) [Male: 0.97 (0.97, 0.98), Female: 0.98 (0.98, 0.99)] and three-year average PM 2.5 for female [0.99 (0.98, 1.00) P -value: 0.09] showed negative associations at higher concentrations, which somewhat contradicts results from previous studies (Ghazipura et al, 2019 ; Raaschou-Nielsen et al, 2013 ; Turner et al, 2011a , 2011b ).…”

Environmental pollution, racial segregation, and lung cancer incidence

“…28 PM 2.5 has been found to have a much larger association with lung cancer incidence. Studies have documented a 25% increase in cancer incidence per 10 microgram/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 29 with suggestion that those exposed to these pollutants may too present at more advanced stage and have higher mortality. 30,31 There is some limited data on possible carcinogenicity of SO 2 in murine models 32 , but along with CO and O 3 , there is limited data to suggest carcinogenicity in humans.…”