Air pollution is a complex mixture of various substances, including particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), among others. It is well-established that exposure to certain components of air pollution can have adverse effects on human health, including an increased risk of developing various diseases, including cancer.
Several studies have provided evidence linking air pollution to different types of cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO), has classified several components of air pollution as carcinogens:
