PM2.5 emerges as leading air pollutant linked to global cancer burden

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A study that analysed global cancer burden with a long-term exposure to common air pollutants across 952 locations found that PM2.5 is the dominant contributor.

Particulate matter sized under 2.5 microns or 0.0025 millimetres (PM2.5) accounted for 8.82 million cases of the total 109 million cases identified between 2000 and 2020, according to findings published in the journal Nature Health.

The highest preventable fraction of cancers in the population due to PM2.5 exposure was observed for cancers of the respiratory, reproductive, and endocrine systems.

Researchers, including those from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, also found that globally, each 10 microgram per cubic metre increase in PM2.5, ozone, and nitrous oxide levels was associated with an increased risk of cancer by 16 per cent, 4.23 per cent and 11.7 per cent, respectively.

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