Children who Live in Areas of Heavy Car Pollution at Increased Risk of Cancer

A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that children who live in areas with greater pollution, particularly vehicle exhaust, are at an increased risk for developing childhood leukemia.

The report is based on a review of seven previous studies that involved 8,000 children, noting that there an estimated 30 to 45 percent of those living in large urban areas within the United States could be at an increased exposure risk due to traffic-related air pollution.

The  information also notes how traffic exposure is linked to childhood leukemia during the postnatal period.  

"The review found that children diagnosed with leukemia were 50% more likely to live near busy roads than children without leukemia," said Vickie Boothe, a CDC health scientist and lead author of the article, according to KVUE. "While the study found a link, it does not prove that living near a busy road causes leukemia." 

The rate of childhood cancer in the United States has been increasing since 1975, according to the report. IN fact, it represents one-third of all cancers among children 14 and younger.

"Precautionary public health messages and interventions designed to reduce population exposure to traffic might be warranted," wrote the researchers in the report. 

What do you think?

More information regarding the findings can be seen in the April issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.