A new study finds that air pollution can be worse for you than smoking. Researchers at National Taiwan University found that long-term exposure to PM 2.5 drastically raises the risk of lung adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer. In fact, people with 30 years of exposure are 1.044 times more likely to develop the cancer than heavy smokers are. The study has been published in an international journal. Scholars urge the government to take air pollution seriously, by enhancing public health education and cancer screening in the southern half of the island.

According to a new study from National Taiwan University, people with 30 years of exposure to PM 2.5 are 1.044 times more likely to get lung cancer than people who smoke a pack a day.

Vincent Su
Taipei City Hospital thoracic surgeon
The study looked at the north and the south, where air pollution is more severe. It found that in the south, the rate of increase in lung cancer, in lung adenocarcinoma, was over 10 times higher than the rate in the north. All signs indicate that air pollution is a greater risk factor for lung cancer than cigarette smoking.

The study, conducted by NTU’s Department of Public Health, looked at 143,000 lung cancer patients and their PM 2.5 exposure in the 30 years before diagnosis. It found average concentrations ranging from 8 to 46 micrograms per cubic meter. For every 10 microgram increase, the cancer risk also increased. Government statistics corroborate the finding: In 2020, Penghu had the highest incidence of lung, bronchial, and tracheal cancers, at 66.89 cases per 100,000 people. High up on the list were other areas with heavy pollution, which ranged from 42 to 44 cases. Then came Hsinchu City with 41.68 and Yilan with 41.28, followed by Keelung, Taichung, and Taipei.

Chen Chieh-yu
Cathay General Hospital cardiologist
In recent years, due to the increase in air pollution and issues arising from new homes, such as formaldehyde, there has been an increase in indoor levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10. This has raised the risk of lung cancer and some cardiovascular diseases.

In 2022, PM 2.5 levels were highest in Kaohsiung and Pingtung, followed by Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan, which averaged 17.1 micrograms per cubic meter. Central Taiwan came third with 13.8, and fourth was Hsinchu and Miaoli, with 11.1. The north recorded 10.1. NTU’s Department of Public Health said that due to heavy pollution in the lower half of the island, the government should ramp up public health education and lung cancer screenings. Researchers say that, whether PM 2.5 is from car exhaust or industrial activity, its health effects must be taken seriously.

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