Media Release
Lung Foundation Australia welcome the findings from the European Society for Medical Oncology which helps explain how air pollution causes lung cancer in people who have never smoked.
The findings outline how fine particulates contained in car fumes and from burning fossil fuels “awaken” dormant mutations in lung cells and tip them into a cancerous state. The work helps explain why so many non-smokers develop lung cancer and is a wake-up call about the damaging impact of pollution on respiratory health.
Lung Foundation Australia’s latest report into lung cancer reform, The Next Breath: Accelerating Lung Cancer Reform in Australia 2022-2025 found 20% of people who are diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked, with air pollution now being recognised as a serious risk factor.
Lung cancer is Australia’s biggest cancer killer, responsible for 8,693 deaths last year alone. In addition to the impact on cancer incidence, air pollution is clearly linked with respiratory impacts such as respiratory disease, decreased pulmonary function and respiratory infections, as well as heart disease and stroke.
In Australia, air pollution is putting a $16 billion strain on the economy each year, as well as 3,000 premature deaths, and direct health system costs specific to lung cancer amounting to over $4 million annually.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded in 2013 that outdoor air pollution is carcinogenic to humans, with the particulate matter component of air pollution most closely associated with increased cancer incidence, especially lung cancer.
In 2021, the WHO published new Air Quality Guidelines that outline evidence-based recommendations to help countries achieve safe air quality. Australia is yet to adopt these guidelines to reduce air pollution and as a result, we are now falling behind with insufficient air quality standards that are putting Australians’ health at risk.
“This new publication reinforces the alarming findings from the Australia State of the Environment 2021 report that was made public in July this year,” said Lung Foundation CEO Mark Brooke.
“The environment and health are intrinsically linked, and we need all levels of government to acknowledge the burden that poor air quality has on all Australians and commit to action, as well as considering the additional challenges that the 1 in 3 Australians who are living with a pre-existing lung condition face.”
Lung Foundation Australia reinforce the need for a ban on backyard fire pits and the replacement of out-of-date wood heaters and stoves to minimise air pollution on residential areas.
Lung Foundation Australia are also calling on the Federal Government to set clear targets and actions, develop a National Strategic Action Plan for Air Quality, and adopt the WHO Air Quality guidelines, to help protect our health and ensure clean air for Australia.