Cancer risk: europe urges immediate action on air pollution

Brussels – The European Code Against Cancer issued a stark warning today, demanding governments accelerate efforts to cut air pollution as a key strategy for slashing cancer rates. The code, updated for the first time since its inception in 1987, now delivers explicit direction to policymakers on tackling the pervasive threat.

Air quality guidelines: a call to action

Dr. Sylvia Jochems of Utrecht University, a lead author of the code, emphasized the urgency: “Policymakers should aim to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) global air quality guidelines for outdoor air pollution without delay, while also reducing indoor air pollution and supporting climate goals.” The message is clear: action is needed at the EU, national, and local levels to mitigate the escalating health risks.

While tobacco remains the leading cause of lung cancer, particle pollution contributes to an estimated 28,000 cases annually across Europe. Meeting WHO guidelines could reduce lung cancer mortality by over 10%. The code also highlights growing evidence linking air pollution to cancers of the bladder, kidneys, and brain, as well as impacting survival rates.

The report specifically targets indoor air quality, urging governments to discourage solid fuels for heating and cooking – a practice gaining traction with the rise of home woodburning. Incentivizing cleaner energy systems like heat pumps, solar power, and geothermal energy is also a central recommendation.

Beyond individual actions – such as avoiding burning materials and prioritizing public transport – the code proposes systemic changes. It calls for an end to combustion for electricity generation and heating across the EU, including coal and biomass. Furthermore, cities need to prioritize planning to reduce traffic and promote active transportation.

The code stresses the importance of accessible air quality information, community involvement in local plans, and protection for vulnerable populations, especially around schools and care facilities. Governments are urged to avoid locating schools and nursing homes near busy roads, and to install indoor air filters where that's not possible.

The recommendation extends to the phase-out of combustion for electricity and heating across the EU, encompassing coal and biomass. Cities must be redesigned to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure. The European Code Against Cancer’s call is not merely advisory; it represents a decisive shift towards prioritizing air quality as a core element of public health policy. The stakes are undeniably high.