Sunday, November 10, 2013

Heavy Air Pollution in Canadian Area With Cancer Spikes


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131022132147.htm
October 22, 2013

A World Health Organization report previously demonstrated that air pollution is a leading cause of cancer. Recently, a group of researchers from the University of Michigan and UC Irvine, confirmed this after finding that some of the world’s most polluted cities are located nearby Canada’s largest oil, gas, and tar production area.

The researchers found high levels of carcinogens, butadiene and benzene as well as many other pollutants. These chemicals however are know the cause cancer and the study has confirmed it. The study examined the health records dating back to ten year ago and found that settlements closer to the pollutants suffered significantly more cases of leukemia and lymphoma. The researchers seem to be 100% sure that these pollutants are causing cancer, and urge that the industrial emissions be lowered.

"Our study was designed to test what kinds of concentrations could be encountered on the ground during a random visit downwind of various facilities. We're seeing elevated levels of carcinogens and other gases in the same area where we're seeing excess cancers known to be caused by these chemicals” said chemist Isobel Simpson. She adds to say that once the science has proven it, actions need to be taken to protect the workers and residents.

The researchers had also collected random air samples nearby major refineries in Alberta and found that the number of volatile organic compounds in the air was 6,000 times higher than it should be. Simpson adds that often times, these emissions are not documented or reported by the companies. For example the high levels of butadiene could only have come from one company, yet the company had not reported it.

"For decades, we've known that exposure to outdoor air pollutants can cause respiratory and cardiovascular disease," said Stuart Batterman, a professor of environmental health at the University of Michigan. "The World Health Organization has now also formally recognized that outdoor air pollution is a leading environmental cause of cancer deaths."

I chose this article because I believe humans often forget that not only are we polluting ecosystems and other species, but we are also putting ourselves at risk. It seems that humans don’t mind if other species are lost at our cost, but perhaps when we are the ones at risk we might consider decreasing levels of pollution. If we go on like this, it might come to the point where we cause the extinction of our own species. 

1 comment:

  1. I completely agree with you and your conclusion. We are very unaware of the harm we cause not just to the environment we surrounded ourselves in, but to ourselves! I think it's safe to say that we are 'self destructive' beings and that we, as a whole, should work on preserving our safety and presence on Earth.

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