Summary
Possible contribution of polycyclic hydrocarbons, trace metals, and gaseous pollutants to the incidence of lung cancer in the urban populations has been considered, including the role of carcinogens in the cigarette smoke. A long-term plan has been proposed for the epidemiological studies and control of urban lung cancer incidence. A comparative assessment of lung cancer mortality rate for occupational, urban, and rural exposure to levels of benzo(a)-pyrene typical of these environments is presented.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blumer M (1976) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in nature. Scient Am 234:35–45
Butler JD (1975) Chemistry in Britain. 11 (10)
Carnow BW, Meier P (1973) Air pollution and pulmonary cancer. Arch Environ Health 27:207–218
Fontana RS, Sanderson DR, Miller WE, Woolner LB, Taylor WF, Uhlenhopp MA (1972) The Mayo lung project: preliminary report of Early Cancer Detection Phase. Cancer 30:1373–1382
Gordon RJ, Bryan RJ, Rhim JS, Desmoise C, Wolfard RC, Freeman AE, Heubner RJ (1973) Transformation of rat und mouse embryo cells by a new class of carcinogenic compounds isolated from particles in city air. Int J Cancer 12:223–232
Jussawalla DJ (1978) Cancer incidence in Poona city agglomeration 1972–74. Three-yearly report. Indian Cancer Society, Bombay
Miller JA, Miller EC (1975) Proceedings of the Vth International Congress on Radiation Research. Academic Press, New York
Mohan Rao AM, Rajagopalan R, Vohra KG (1980) Measurement techniques for carcinogenic chemicals in atmospheric air. Paper presented at the Int. Seminar on Management of Environment. BARC, Bombay, February 11–15
Pitts JN Jr, Van Cauwenberghe KA, Grosjean D, Schmid JP, Fitz DR, Belsor WL Jr, Krudson GB, Hynds PM (1978) Atmospheric reactions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: facile formation of mutagenic nitro derivative. Science 202:515–519
Pitts JN Jr (1979) Photochemical and biological implications of the atmospheric reactions of amines and benzo(a)pyrene. Phil Trans R Soc (Lond) [A] 290:551–576
Pott P (1775) Chirurgical observations. Hawes, Clarke, Cullings, London, pp 63–68
Stocks P, Campbell JM (1955) Lung cancer death rates among non-smokers, pipe and cigarette smokers. An evaluation in relation to air pollution by benzopyrene and other substances. Br Med J 2:923
Stocks P (1958) In: Raven RW (ed) Vol. 3. Statistical investigations concerning the causation of various forms of human cancer. Butterworth, London, pp 116–172
Stocks P (1966) Recent epidemiological studies of lung cancer mortality, cigarette smoking, and air pollution with a new hypothesis of causation. Br J Cancer 20:595–623
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vohra, K.G. Environmental carcinogens in the city air and lung cancer incidence. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 99, 41–49 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00412441
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00412441