GREEN NEWS
10 % of cancer cases in Europe caused by pollution , says groundbreaking new study
By Maeve Campbell • Updated : 28 / 06 / 2022 https :// www . euronews . com / green / 2022 / 06 / 28
/ 10-of-cancer-cases-in-europe-due-to-pollution-says-groundbreaking-new-study
10 per cent of cancer cases in Europe are caused by air pollution , according to a new study published today .
The European Environment Agency
( EEA ) recently reviewed the latest scientific evidence on pollution , second-hand smoke , radon , asbestos and other chemicals , as well as ultraviolet radiation ( UV rays ). It found thatt exposure to these pollutants likely contributes to nearly 2.7 million new patients diagnosedd in the EU each year .
It ’ s the first time the EEA has found links between cancer and the environment . The report , called ' Beating cancer - the role of Europe’ s environment ', estimatess that environmental and occupational risks are behind around 10 per cent of cancer cases in Europe .
Causing 1.3 million deaths per year across the European Union , cancer takes a huge toll on our society . The economicc costs are also enormous
, estimated at around € 178 billion in 2018 alone .
The economic costs of cancer are enormous , estimated at around
€ 178 billion .
The good news is that the report also says thesee risks are preventable - if the EU takes urgent action .
“ Cutting pollution through the EU ’ s Zero Pollution Action Plan and the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability as well as strong implementation of other existing
EU policies would go a long way to reduce cancer cases and deaths . This would be an effective investment in our citizens ’ wellbeing ,” says Hans
Bruyninckx , EEA Executive Directorr .
The EU ’ s Zero Pollution Action Plan is set to be achieved by 2050 - targeting air , water and soil pollution . The threee main goals include improving air quality to reduce the number of premature deaths caused by air pollution , improving water quality by reducing waste , plastic litter at sea and microplastics released into the environment, and improving soil by reducing nutrient losses and chemical pesticide use by
50 per cent .
Virginijus Sinkevičius , EU Commissioner for the Environment , Fisheries and Oceans , agrees that this is the best tool the EU has at its disposal to minimise further harm to human health .
“ The EEA report highlights that too many cancer cases have an underlying environmental cause . We can act now to cut pollution and prevent deaths . With the Zero Pollution ambition of the European Green Deal we can deliver cost-effective cancer prevention benefits by reducing exposure to harmful pollutants . What is better for the environment is also better for us .”
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