Global Burden of Lung Cancer Attributable to Household Fine Particulate Matter Pollution in 204 Countries and Territories, 1990 to 2019

J Thorac Oncol. 2024 Feb 2:S1556-0864(24)00034-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2024.01.014. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Introduction: Household particulate matter (PM) air pollution is substantially associated with lung cancer. Nevertheless, the global burden of lung cancer attributable to household PM2.5 is still uncertain.

Methods: In this study, data from the Global Burden and Disease Study 2019 are used to thoroughly assess the burden of lung cancer associated with household PM2.5.

Results: The number of deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) attributable to household PM2.5 was found to be 0.08 million and 1.94 million, respectively in 2019. Nevertheless, the burden of lung cancer attributable to household PM2.5 decreased from 1990 to 2019. At the sociodemographic index (SDI) district level, the middle SDI region had the most number of lung cancer deaths and DALYs attributable to household PM2.5. Moreover, the burden of lung cancer was mainly distributed in low-SDI regions, such as Sub-Saharan Africa. Conversely, in high-SDI regions, the age-standardized mortality rate and age-standardized DALY rate of lung cancer attributable to household PM2.5 exhibit the most rapid declines. The burden of lung cancer attributable to household PM2.5 is heavier for men than for women. The sex difference is more obvious in the elderly.

Conclusions: The prevalence of lung cancer attributable to household PM2.5 has exhibited a declining trend from 1990 to 2019 owing to a concurrent decline in household PM2.5 exposure.

Keywords: Epidemiology Disease burden; Household particulate matter air pollution; Lung cancer; Prevention.