And while the Philippines ranked lowest in the level of pollution in Southeast Asia, most of the cities included in the study exceeded WHO’s safety limit.
Only the cities of Carmona and Calamba were within the safety limit, with pollution levels of 9.1 μg/mᶟ and 4 μg/mᶟ, respectively. As stated by ABS-CBN News: Manila has an average particulate pollution of 18.2 μg/m3, Meycauayan with 35.3 μg/m3, Dumaguete with 27.7 μg/m3, Bulacan with 26.9 μg/m3, Cavite City with 26.6 μg/m3, Batangas City with 12.9 μg/m3, Balanga with 11.4 μg/m3 and Legazpi with 11.3 μg/m3.
Air Pollution is a Leading Cause of Cancer: Who is at Risk?
According to Dr. Norman Edelman of the American Lung Association, “Anyone who lives where particle pollution levels are high is at risk. Some people face higher risk, including children, the elderly, people with lung and heart disease and diabetes, people with low incomes, and people who work or exercise outdoors.’
Genetics also play a huge factor in determining a person’s risk for lung cancer. Though genetics are already a risk factor, air pollution is leading cause of cancer that increases this risk.
According to the American Cancer Society, people who have immediate family members that were diagnosed with lung cancer at a young age are at a higher danger, though it is not clear how much of the risk is due to genetics and how much is from shared household exposures.
Lung cancer can go undiagnosed for a long time. And since symptoms typically do not manifest early, it can result in late diagnosis.
Because there are fewer nerve endings in the lungs, the growth of a tumor in the lungs can often be painless.
Air Pollution is a Leading Cause of Cancer, such as Lung Cancer
Watch out for the following symptoms:
- a cough that does not go away or gets worse over time
- hoarseness in the voice
- constant chest pain
- shortness of breath or wheezing
- frequent lung infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia
- coughing up blood
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