The Connection between breast cancer and air pollution

Women living and working in places with higher levels of fine particle air pollution are more likely to get breast cancer than those living and working in less polluted areas. New data on estimates of historical air pollution show a potential link between exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a known human carcinogen that contains a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets, and greater risk of Oestrogen receptor–positive (ER+) breast cancer, according to a study published in Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

In the study, home and workplace exposure to pollution in 2419 women with breast cancer was compared to that in 2984 women without breast cancer over the period 1990-2011. The results showed that breast cancer risk increased by 28% when exposure to fine particle (PM2.5) air pollution increased by 10 µg/m3 – approximately equivalent to the difference in PM2.5 particle concentration typically seen in rural versus urban areas of Europe. Smaller increases in breast cancer risk were also recorded in women exposed to high levels of larger particle air pollution (PM10 and nitrogen dioxide). Various organizations now plan to investigate the effects of pollution exposure during commuting to get a complete picture of effects on breast cancer risk.

A review of previous research confirmed that BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes -- which try to stop tumours growing -- can be “silenced” by exposures to dioxins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - both found in exhaust fumes. BRCA2 gets rapidly degraded in the presence of aldehydes - also components of exhaust fumes. There is much more research to be undertaken. But now many plausible mechanisms are coming to existence for inferring how the BRCA1/2 tumour suppressors in this highly-exposed border guard became dysfunctional and likely contributed to the ongoing epidemic of sporadic, early onset, premenopausal breast cancer among her colleagues. With this new knowledge, industry and government can plan for new designs for industrial and commercial facilities to cut down on the occupational exposures to traffic-related air pollution

Air pollution stunts crop growth by weakening photosynthesis. When the chemicals are absorbed into plants and animals, they often react with the nutrients, thus reducing their number. Additionally, air pollution in agriculture may cause a lot of damage to our health. Air pollution exposure poses the risk of damage to gut barrier integrity, which plays a crucial role in immune system response. Food, chemicals, and other compounds -- including compounds linked to poor air quality -- have been found to diminish gut barrier integrity, causing increased gut permeability.

Countries with high levels of hunger are also highly vulnerable to air pollution and climate change and have low capacity to adapt. Acting on climate change, especially in the near-term, is critical to ensuring food security and preserving the livelihoods of millions.