People
who have never smoked, but who live in areas with higher air pollution
levels, are roughly 20% more likely to die from lung cancer than people
who live with cleaner air, researchers concluded in a new study. A study
conducted of 180,000 non-smokers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico showed
that 1,100 of them died from lung cancer. Using participants’ ZIP
codes, researchers estimated the amount of air pollution each individual
was exposed to. According to the results, the pollution levels ranged
from a low of six units to a high of 38; the average level of pollution
was 17 units. After taking into account other factors involved in lung
cancer such as second-hand smoke and radon exposure, researchers found
that the risk of developing lung cancer for every person increased by 15
to 27 percent for every 10 extra units of air-pollution. “Lung cancer
in ‘never smokers’ is an important cancer,” said lead author Michelle
Turner. “It’s the sixth leading cause of cancer in United States.”
