Air pollution suspected for sharp rise in China lung cancer rate

China has seen a sharp rise in the incidence of lung cancer in the past 10 to 15 years, with long-term exposure to air pollution a possible culprit, state media reported.

Experts with the China Academy of Medical Sciences said lung cancer was rising rapidly in groups not normally susceptible to the disease, including women and non-smokers, suggesting that smoking was not responsible for the increase, the China Daily said.

An estimated 300 million Chinese people are smokers, but the paper said there had been a rapid increase in a form of lung cancer that develops deep in the lung and is not associated with tobacco use.

China has been waging a battle against hazardous air pollution, with concentrations of small, breathable particles known as PM2.5 frequently exceeding 300 micrograms per cubic metre in industrialised northern regions.

Last year’s national average stood at 47 micrograms, with only a quarter of cities meeting the country’s official air quality guideline of 35 micrograms. The World Health Organisation recommends levels of no more than 10 micrograms.