Every year in Europe, nearly 3 million cancers are diagnosed, and 1.3 million people die from it. And according to new findings from the European Environment Agency, environmental and occupational hazards are responsible for approximately 10% of cases on the mainland. “Exposure to air pollution, passive smoking, ultraviolet rays, asbestos, certain chemicals and other pollutants cause more than 10% of cancer cases in Europe “indicates a communicated published this Tuesday, June 28.
Figures that could be reduced by eliminating pollution and changing behaviors. “Each year in Europe, it is estimated that more than 250000deaths are linked to cancer of environmental origin. Prevention is always better than cure and, as part of the european plan to beat cancerwe are strongly committed to reducing contaminants in water, soil and air”says Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.
Arsenic, asbestos, radon, tobacco smoke… Environmental exposures are omnipresent
In Europe, air pollution is responsible for about 1% of cancer cases and causes about 2% of deaths. She would be primarily responsible for 9% of lung cancer cases. “Recent studies have detected associations between long-term exposure to particulate matter, a major air pollutant, and leukemia in adults and children.”says the Agency’s press release.
Exposure to radon – a radioactive gas likely to be breathed in poorly ventilated housing – is responsible for 2% of cancer cases when ultraviolet radiation is the cause of 4% of cancers, in particular melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. Exposure to tobacco smoke can also increase the risk of cancer, even in people who have never smoked. “About 31% of Europeans are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke at home, at work, during leisure time, in educational establishments or in public places.warns the AEE.
Many chemical substances such as lead, arsenic, chromium, pesticides, bisphenol A or even PFAS (endocrine disruptors) are suspected of causing cancer of several organs, just like asbestos, prohibited by the European Union in 2005 and yet still present in many buildings. Asbestos alone would be responsible for 55 to 58% of occupational lung cancerssays the report.
Sources:
- Exposure to pollution causes 10% of cancer cases in Europe, European Environment Agency, June 28, 2022
- Europe’s beating cancer plan, European Commission
Read also:
- Air pollution cuts global life expectancy by two years
- Noise pollution affects children’s cognitive development, study finds
- The air of the metro is three times more polluted than that of the street
