Particulate air pollution and mortality from lung cancer in local authority districts in England and Wales

An urban excess in mortality from lung cancer has previously been observed in England and Wales. This paper investigates whether a proportion of this excess may be associated with previous levels of population exposure to Black Smoke pollution. Using a geographical study design, a positive association was found between lung cancer SMRs for the period 1989 to 1993 and estimates of Black Smoke concentrations during the early 1970’s. This association remained after adjustment for population characteristics. We conclude a small but statistically significant proportion of unexplained patterns of lung cancer deaths may be associated with previous population exposure to airborne particulate pollutants.