A new study finds that air pollution is linked to mouth cancer

Air pollution linked to mouth cancer- inews

A study (published in the Journal of Investigative Medicine and involving researchers from the Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology and the China Medical University.) involving nearly half a million participants found that the risk of oral cancer was increased by almost half in areas where the concentration of tiny particulates was at its highest, compared to must less polluted areas.

The particles are known as PM2.5s and come from diesel exhaust, road dust, coal and wood burning, and industry. They are known to cause health problems such as lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and have an estimated 29,000 early deaths a year in the UK. 

Yu-Hua Chu states that “This study is the first to associate oral cancer with PM 2.5,” and, although they do not know the exact way these particles do this or whether they are the only reason for the increased risk of obtaining oral cancer, this is a wakeup call on how we need to protect our environment.

This is an example of hard news as it is linked to death. It provides readers with surveillance.