Researchers from Inserm (National Institute for Health and Medical Research), CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research) and the University of Grenoble Alpes wanted to know whether certain air pollutants could be linked to the appearance of breast cancer. According to their analysis, certain components in the atmosphere, notably nitrogen dioxide, increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
“The most frequent cancer in Europe”
It’s in the review Environmental Health Perspectives that the results of the meta-analysis have been published. Scientists were interested in three pollutants in particular, recognized as carcinogenic, in particular promoting the occurrence of lung cancer. Some epidemiologists had already looked at these harmful substances which are suspended in the air as well as air pollution, which could “ influence the occurrence of breast cancer, which is the most common cancer in Europe “. This is why the researchers carried out an in-depth analysis of the existing scientific literature. According to them, ” around 1,700 cases of breast cancer are thought to be attributable each year in France to exposure to atmospheric pollutants », Which represents 3% of cases. A pollutant is particularly implicated, which can increase the risk of developing hormone-dependent breast cancer: nitrogen dioxide.
Nitrogen dioxide found guilty
The team of Rémy Slama, the research director, has succeeded in identifying three pollutants that promote the appearance of breast cancer. However, it is nitrogen dioxide that comes out on top and is “ most clearly in favor of a detrimental effect on the occurrence of breast cancer “. This chemical compound is emitted primarily by combustion engines and thermal fuel-fired power stations. This reddish-brown gas is toxic to health and is the main pollutant in the atmosphere. Indeed, it is very widespread and results essentially from its combustion necessary for heating, the production of electricity or for the engines of vehicles or boats. Inserm estimates that the associated economic cost is around 600 million to one billion euros per year, for treatment, patient suffering, loss of their quality of life as well as that linked to death. Other pollutants could potentially constitute risk factors in the occurrence of breast cancer, creating an estrogenic disturbance, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are found in food, in ambient air and in the water.
