The lag effect of exposure to PM2.5 on esophageal cancer in urban-rural areas across China

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Jan;29(3):4390-4400. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-15942-8. Epub 2021 Aug 18.

Abstract

Exposure to PM2.5 pollution is a significant health concern and increases risks for cancers in China. However, the studies regarding the effect of PM2.5 and esophageal cancer incidence (ECI) among urban-rural areas are limited. In this study, we examined the sex- and area-specific association between exposure to PM2.5 and ECI, as well as explored the corresponding lag effects on ECI using a geographical weighted Poisson regression. We found significantly positive effect on ECI for males and females in different models, with the greatest increase of 1.44% (95% CI: 1.30%, 1.59%) and 2.42% (95% CI: 2.17%, 2.66%) in per 10 ug/m3 increase of PM2.5 for males and females at single year lag7 and lag4 after all covariates controlled, respectively. We also found that the long-term effect of PM2.5 on ECI was relatively stable at all moving average year lags. Moreover, rural areas had higher ECI risks for males (0.17%) and females (0.64%) with longer lag period than urban areas. In addition, higher risks for both sexes appeared in north, northwestern, and east China. The findings indicated that long-term exposure to PM2.5 was significantly associated with increased risks for ECI, which reinforce a comprehensive understanding for ECI related to PM2.5.

Keywords: China; Esophageal cancer incidence (ECI); Lag effect; PM2.5; Risk.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants* / analysis
  • Air Pollution* / analysis
  • China / epidemiology
  • Environmental Exposure / analysis
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / chemically induced
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Particulate Matter / analysis
  • Rural Population

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Particulate Matter