A new study published in Scientific Reports has established a significant connection between PM2.5 air pollution (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns) and a higher risk of head and neck cancer (HNC). This research underscores the harmful health effects of air pollution, which has already been linked to various diseases such as lung, liver, and cardiovascular diseases.
Air pollution, particularly PM2.5, is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) due to its link to lung cancer. Cells in the head and neck area are particularly susceptible to pollutants like tobacco smoke, which contains multiple carcinogens, increasing the risk of malignancies such as squamous cell carcinoma. Other biological agents, like the human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), also contribute to the incidence of HNC.
The study utilized data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2002–2012) and county-level PM2.5 exposure data (1981–2016). Researchers analyzed the correlation between air pollution and HNC rates over time using lag models ranging from 0 to 20 years, accounting for the delayed onset of disease after exposure. The results showed that higher PM2.5 levels were consistently associated with increased HNC risk, with the strongest link observed at a 5-year lag, where there was a 24% higher risk. A 20-year lag showed a 15% higher risk, highlighting the long-term impact of air pollution.
The findings emphasize that even small increases in air pollution, below the levels set by the EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), can still pose a significant risk to human health, including shortening life expectancy. The study calls for urgent action to improve air quality, particularly in high-risk communities, and to implement targeted interventions that could reduce the incidence of cancer and promote better public health outcomes.
