The environmental carcinogens threatening our wellbeing

The environmental carcinogens threatening our wellbeing

Asbestos. Arsenic. Lead. DDT. Silica. Polyaromatic hydrocarbons. These minerals and chemicals have one thing in common: their cancer-causing potential.


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An estimated 35 million new cancer cases by 2050 would mark a 77 percent rise in the global cancer burden.

Approximately 2 to 8 percent of cancers worldwide are related to workplace exposures. This highlights a growing concern: the presence of carcinogens in our environment.

The increase in cancer rates globally has been linked to prolonged exposure to environmental contaminants. These contaminants disrupt normal cellular processes, leading to mutations and the uncontrolled cell growth characteristic of cancer.

Exposure to major ambient air pollutants has an effect on incidences of lung cancer and some non-lung cancers. Air pollution is estimated to cause about 29 percent of lung cancer deaths globally.

But this is just scratching the surface.

In this 360info special report, experts explore different environmental hazards that heighten cancer risk and solutions to mitigate their impacts.


Expert Perspectives

Punjab’s ‘cancer train’ runs on hope

Cases of cancer are widespread in Punjab and Haryana where groundwater is contaminated by high pesticide use.

Dr. Abhiroop Chowdhury, M.I. Soil Sci. , O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU)


✏Arsenic kills by stealth in India’s villages

Public health interventions have been few and far between to check the continuing ravages of arsenic poisoning in India.

Mimi Roy , O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU)


✏Asbestos: Singapore’s toxic past is catching up with it

The number of cancer cases in Singapore is on the rise even though the hazardous material was banned more than 30 years ago.

Sean Lim , Columbia University


✏Cancer: the hidden hazard in India’s construction industry

Construction work has been linked to many types of cancer. But more research is needed to understand what causes these conditions and how to best prevent them.

Abha Rao , Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI)


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