Suspended particles are microscopic elements that float in the air, composed of solid and liquid substances. They have a wide variety of sizes and are a mixture of substances of both organic and inorganic origin.
These particles, also known as Total Suspended Particles (TSP) or TSP by its acronym in English, range in size from diameters smaller than 10 µm to several hundred micrometers.
Origins of Suspended Particles
In addition to their natural origin, such as dust and pollen, suspended particles come from human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, industrial activity, and agricultural processes.
The presence of these particles in the air we breathe plays a crucial role in air quality.
Health Impact
Researchers from the University of Miami (USA) have revealed a decrease in deaths from lung cancer and other related tumors in the 10 most populous countries in the world between 1990 and 2019. However, they have warned of an increase in mortality due to exposure to environmental suspended particles.
The specialists have conducted a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of the main risk factors leading to trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer (TBL). The study, published in ‘eClinicalMedicine’, is based on information extracted from the open-source Global Burden of Disease database.
“This research allows us to better assess global trends and highlight areas where public health policies and more research are needed to address TBL cancers,” said the study’s lead author, Gilberto Lopes, who is responsible for the Division of Medical Oncology at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami.
8% Reduction in Deaths from Trachea, Bronchus, and Lung Cancer (TBL)
In the analyzed three-decade period, deaths from trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer (TBL) show an overall 8% reduction. By risk factors, deaths related to tobacco have decreased from 72% in 1990 to 66% in 2019, except in countries like China and Indonesia, where they continue to rise.
Despite this reduction, the global mortality rate among women has increased by 2%, although men still account for about three-quarters of the deaths. Tobacco remains the main cause of this type of cancer, which is why the first author of the scientific paper, Chinmay Jani, has urged to continue implementing the necessary public health measures to reduce its consumption.
Air Pollution and Asbestos Exposure: Critical Factors
Air pollution accounts for almost 20% of global mortality from trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer (TBL). Although deaths linked to pollution have decreased between 1990 and 2019, deaths associated with suspended particles have increased by 11%. In China, the rate was double the global average.
“The relationship between lung cancer mortality and atmospheric pollution remains controversial, but there is increasing evidence of a connection that needs attention,” said researcher Estelamari Rodríguez, who called for global policies to raise awareness on this issue.
On the other hand, the study evaluated the risk posed by asbestos exposure and concluded that it remains a “critical concern,” despite advances in banning this material. Deaths from trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer (TBL) related to asbestos in the USA remain almost double the global average.
Review of Lung Cancer Detection Methods
Based on the results obtained, researchers have concluded that it is necessary to review the current methods of detecting trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer (TBL), which mainly focus on tobacco exposure, to include other risk factors.
“It is important to understand all these risk factors and how they affect the molecular alterations of lung cancer, because then we can have precision medicine tailored to lung cancer patients based on the risk factors they had,” highlighted Rodríguez.
Furthermore, the researcher pointed out that lung cancer diagnoses are increasing in young people, especially in women with low tobacco exposure. Therefore, she encouraged advancing in detection for early-stage diagnoses that allow the cure of this group.
“Currently, young patients with a cough are rarely considered to be at risk of lung cancer. Their symptoms are often overlooked, although proper detection could have diagnosed the disease earlier,” Rodríguez concluded.
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