Low Levels of Air Pollution in Europe Linked with Lung Cancer, Heart Failure

Air pollution can increase risk of lung cancer and heart diseases, according to two new studies.

A couple of recent studies have found that the rise in pollution in China resulted in lower life expectancy in the country. The two new studies have found that air pollution, even at low levels, could lead to serious health complications.

In the first study, researchers looked at the impact of air pollution on the risk of lung cancer, especially adenocarcinoma. This study was based on data obtained from nearly 313 000 people from nine European countries.

The study analyzed the effects of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter - PM 2.5 that has a diameter of about 0.5 micrometres and PM10 with diameter less than 10 micrometers, The Guardian reported.  

Nitrogen oxide is an odorless gas that irritates the eyes and nose. Long term exposure to the gas can also lead to impaired lung function and asthma in young children.

The research team led by Ole Raaschou-Nielsen from the Danish Cancer Society Research Centre, found that for " every increase of 5 micrograms per cubic meter of PM2.5 pollution, the risk of lung cancer rose by 18%, and for every increase of 10 micrograms per cubic meter in PM10 pollution the risk increased by 22%." The study did not find any link between nitrogen oxides and lung cancer, according to a press release.

This study is published in the journal Lancet Oncology.                                                                  

In the second study, Nicholas Mills from the University of Edinburgh and his team analyzed data from 35 studies that had assessed the impact of air pollution on the risk of hospitalization or heart failure leading to death. These studies had particularly looked at the danger posed by gases such as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone) and particulate matter (PM) with a size of PM2.5 and PM10.

This study also found a strong, consistent relationship between exposure to the air pollutants and risk of hospitalization due to heart failure, with the exception of ozone. The highest risk for heart failure came from exposure to carbon monoxide.

The risk of catching a heart disease or death by cardiac failures went up 3.52% with every increase of 1 part per million (ppm) of carbon monoxide. Sulphur dioxide came second with an increase of 2.36% for every increase of 10 parts per billion and particulate matter.

Particulate matter increase by 10 micrograms per cubic meter increased the risk of hospitalization/death due to heart failure by 2 percent, the study found.

This study is published in the journal The Lancet.

Previously, a study from MIT had found that more people in the U.K. die of health complications associated with air pollution than car accidents.