Air pollution may increase lung cancer risk, says pulmonologist

People exposed to air pollution for long periods of time are more likely to develop lung cancer, an expert from the Philippine College of Chest Physicians said Tuesday.  

Citing 2019 data from the World Health Organization, Dr. Albert Rafanan said that air pollution is one of the greatest environmental risks to people’s health, causing 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide every year.

Evidently, air pollution poses effects on people's respiratory systems. Rafanan said it can exacerbate pre-existing conditions, increase risk of respiratory infections, develop chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and even increase risk of lung cancer.

“Long-term exposure to air pollution can induce DNA damage, mutations, and abnormal cell growth in the lungs leading to development of lung cancer,” he said during a health forum hosted by the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP).

Air pollution, he added, may also affect the heart and may possibly aggravate pre-existing conditions such as coronary artery disease and heart failure.

It is also linked to a higher risk of stroke, and may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the arteries, and cause inflammation in the blood vessels.  

“Ultra fine particles can go into the lung and can cross and enter the bloodstream through inhalation or translocation and can eventually cause systemic inflammation and damage to the heart and blood vessels,” Rafanan said.

In March, the Philippines placed 69th out of 131 countries in the World Air Quality Report for 2022 from Swiss research firm IQair.

The report showed that based on its average PM2.5 concentration, air quality in the country slightly improved to 14.9 µg/m³ from 15.6 µg/m³ in 2021. However, this number was still three times higher than the annual air quality guideline value set by the WHO.

“Smog is almost constantly hanging over [Manila], exacerbated by the 2.2 million vehicles that clog the streets on a daily basis. According to reports published by the WHO, levels of airborne particles of lead (Pb) are three times than the acceptable figure. Concentrations of PM2.5 have also found to be unacceptably high, too,” IQAir said.

To mitigate climate change in the country, Rafanan advised the public to save energy at home; walk, cycle, or take public transport; consider travel; change home’s source of energy; and reduce, reuse, recycle. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News