RAISED ON EXHAUST
Down To Earth|December 16, 2023
Link between air pollution and childhood diseases, including cancer, warrants concern
- MANAS RANJAN RAY
RAISED ON EXHAUST

IN 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (WHO) classified ambient air pollution as a carcinogen for humans, and said that the risk of cancer increases with rising levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and volatile organic compounds (vocs) in the ambient air. So could air pollution be a reason for cancer in children in the Gangetic delta, where air quality usually hovers from "poor" to "severe" on the index of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? Though adequate information is not available to establish the extent of the impact, we know that children, whose organs are still developing, are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults. Their exposure begins when they are still in the mother's womb.

We also know that the prevalence of childhood cancer (in children up to 14 years) in Delhi, which is among the highly polluted cities in the world, has nearly doubled in the 25 years between 1990 and 2014. Data available with Population Based Cancer Registry (PBCR) of Delhi shows that childhood cancer in the capital has risen by 97 per cent among boys and 93 per cent among girls. Though the reason for this unusual high incidence of childhood cancer in the national capital is yet to be elucidated, a possible link between city's high level of air pollution and childhood cancer, with special reference to effect of benzene and PM2.5 at the level of genomics and proteomics, is worth investigating by sensitive molecular markers.

この蚘事は Down To Earth の December 16, 2023 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

この蚘事は Down To Earth の December 16, 2023 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

DOWN TO EARTHのその他の蚘事すべお衚瀺
A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Down To Earth

A SPRIG TO CARE FOR

Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits

time-read
3 分  |
November 01, 2024
DIGGING A DISASTER
Down To Earth

DIGGING A DISASTER

Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.

time-read
2 分  |
November 01, 2024
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Down To Earth

REVIEW THE TREATMENT

Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient

time-read
3 分  |
November 01, 2024
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
Down To Earth

MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE

As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production

time-read
4 分  |
November 01, 2024
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Down To Earth

Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?

Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag

time-read
4 分  |
November 01, 2024
TROUBLED WOODS
Down To Earth

TROUBLED WOODS

Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health

time-read
10+ 分  |
November 01, 2024
BLINDING GLOW
Down To Earth

BLINDING GLOW

The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.

time-read
10+ 分  |
November 01, 2024
GROUND REALITY
Down To Earth

GROUND REALITY

What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?

time-read
6 分  |
November 01, 2024
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
Down To Earth

GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC

On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.

time-read
6 分  |
November 01, 2024
Vinchurni's Gandhi
Down To Earth

Vinchurni's Gandhi

A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara

time-read
2 分  |
November 01, 2024