Effect of Atmospheric Elements and Air Pollutants in Tehran on Lung Cancer Disease

Today, air pollution is considered a very important international issue. Tehran is one of the most polluted cities in the world. Geographic location, topography, climate, and industrial concentration cause pollutants to accumulate in the city. One of the diseases that is increasing due to air pollution is lung cancer. In this study, the relationship between atmospheric elements such as temperature, pressure, relative humidity and sight less than 2 km, and atmospheric pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), Ozone, (O3) airborne particles (PM-10) and dust during a 10-year statistical period, (1999-1999), was investigated using descriptive statistical methods and correlations and regression relationships, and the analysis of the effects of monthly and annual means of variables on the mortality of lung cancer in Tehran were studied. The results show that there is a high correlation between lung cancer and atmospheric elements. There is a meaningful relationship between the smaller mean number of days with weaker sight and the monthly mean number of lung cancer incidence. With increase of dust in a month, mortality has also increased, as dust is found in the city air more than other pollutants. There is a significant relationship between the monthly variables of contaminants with lung cancer, and there is a strong correlation between the annual mean of pollutants and lung cancer. The association between the annual average of dust and lung cancer is 99%.