Thursday, October 17, 2013

WHO agency: Air pollution causes cancer

WHO : World Health Organization

It has long been known that air pollution damages the lungs in ways other than cancer.
It is disheartening to see people jogging for exercise beside a heavily trafficked road. They think they are making themselves healthier, when they are damaging themselves.

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/who-agency-air-pollution-causes-cancer-8C11410692

Maria Cheng, The Associated Press
Oct. 17, 2013

ONDON — What many commuters choking on smog have long suspected has finally been scientifically validated: air pollution causes lung cancer.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer declared on Thursday that air pollution is a carcinogen, alongside known dangers such as asbestos, tobacco and ultraviolet radiation. The decision came after a consultation by an expert panel organized by IARC, the cancer agency of the World Health Organization, which is based in Lyon, France.

"We consider this to be the most important environmental carcinogen, more so than passive smoking," said Kurt Straif, head of the IARC department that evaluates cancer-causing substances.

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Other experts emphasized the cancer risk from pollution for the average person was very low — but virtually unavoidable.

"You can choose not to drink or not to smoke, but you can't control whether or not you're exposed to air pollution," said Francesca Dominici, a professor of biostatics at Harvard University's School of Public Health. "You can't just decide not to breathe," she said. Dominici was not connected to the IARC expert panel.

A person's risk for cancer depends on numerous variables, including genetics, exposure to dangerous substances and lifestyle choices regarding issues such as drinking alcohol, smoking and exercising.

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