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neighborhoods. Such exposures include radon, air pollutionfrom manufacturing facilities and vehicles, radioactiveand chemical contamination of air and water associated with oil and gas development, other contaminants in water and consumer products, pesticides, and chemical exposures in workplaces. Supporting these conclusions, other researchers have found a strong association between all-site cancer incidence and a measure of overall environmental quality, the Environmental Quality Index (which, developed by the U.S. EPA, combines measures of environmental quality in five domains: air, water, land, built environment and sociodemographic factors).
How might people and organizations concerned about cancer begin to take action onother cancer risk factors in addition to smoking, in particular environmental and occupational carcinogens? A first step is acknowledging the importance of these exposures as cancer prevention opportunitiesand providing and accessing information about steps that can be taken to reduce them. Expanding state cancer coalitions to include people with environmental expertise and lived experience of environmental exposures is another; these coalitions shape statewide cancer control plans. Leveraging the capacity of businesses already investing in safer alternatives and advocating for policies that incentivize a shift from reliance on toxic chemicals are also opportunities. We commend the Centers for Disease Control and National Association of Chronic Disease Directors for the recent launch of a webinar series for cancer prevention leaders on this topic which will provide examples of effective interventions and strategies for impactful partnerships and policies. And we applaud the research institutions, professional associations, non-governmental organizations and community groups that are elevating attention to the contribution of environmental and occupational chemicals to cancer and providing invaluable resources on these issues.
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