Moving to a new city? Saving up to purchase a house? You might want to check out the most detailed map of cancer causing industrial air pollution in the US projects.propublica.org/toxmap/
Air pollution exposure is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in human cells, which may lay a foundation for chronic diseases and cancer. In 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (WHO) classified air pollution as a human carcinogen.
Factories, power plants, and other industrial activities release a wide range of pollutants into the atmosphere, including particulate matter, benzene, formaldehyde, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dioxins. These pollutants have far-reaching impacts on both the environment and human health.
The health effects of industrial air pollution are profound and multifaceted. Chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and lung cancer are all linked to prolonged exposure to polluted air. For vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions, the risks are even higher. Studies have shown that children living near industrial areas are more likely to suffer from developmental issues and reduced lung function.
Moreover, pollutants like fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Evidence suggests that air pollution from particulate matter—small, airborne particles—may lead to lung cancer, with hundreds of thousands of lung cancer deaths worldwide attributed to air pollution. It’s the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, according to a 2020 American Cancer Society review in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
The 2020 review also suggests that air pollution may be a possible cause of other cancers and increases the risk of bladder cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, colon cancer and rectal cancer. Research on this matter is ongoing.
Unfortunately the burden of industrial air pollution is often disproportionately borne by communities located near industrial zones, often marginalized or low-income populations with limited resources to mitigate the impact. This environmental injustice underscores the need for stronger regulations and enforcement to reduce emissions from industrial sources.
What can we do to protect ourselves?
- Use an indoor air filtration system and change filters regularly.
-Avoid driving or walking in high-traffic areas.
- Avoid spending too much time near sources of diesel exhaust, such as trucks or buses.
-If drinking from a private well, the CDC recommends it is checked yearly for contaminates.
-Other steps, such as walking or biking rather than driving to work. Community based initiatives are most helpful when many people do their part; collectively they may help lower pollution in their area.
On a broader level, advocate for stronger emission controls and the adaptation of cleaner technologies as well as renewable energy sources. Public awareness and policy advocacy are crucial in driving the changes needed to protect public health and ensure a cleaner, safer environment for all.
🫶🏼KnowItNonToxic
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WHO. (2018). Air pollution and health. (https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution#tab=tab_1).
EPA. (2023). Health and Environmental Effects of Particulate Matter (PM). (https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/health-and-environmental-effects-particulate-matter-pm).
NIH. (2020). Air Pollution and Your Health. (https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/air-pollution/index.cfm).
American Lung Association (ALA). (2022). State of the Air Report. (https://www.lung.org/research/sota).
Cancer Center. (2023) Pollution and Cancer Risk. (https://www.cancercenter.com/risk-factors/pollution#:~:text=Another%20possible%20pathway%20is%20from,)%20and%20dioxins%2C%20among%20others.)
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