Research results have shown that even at 'normal' levels of fine dust concentration, the risk of developing prostate cancer may increase.
A joint research team led by Professor Park Yong-hyun of the Department of Urology at Catholic University Seoul St. Mary's Hospital and Professors Park Ji-hwan and Noh Mi-jung from Dankook University announced their findings analyzing the correlation between fine dust exposure and the incidence of prostate cancer using big data from the National Health Insurance Corporation.
The research team examined the fine dust (PM10) exposure levels over three years from 2010, based on data from 20,430 individuals registered in the National Health Insurance Corporation database from 2010 to 2020. They then compared these individuals, dividing them into a prostate cancer patient group (4,071 individuals, 19.9%) and a non-patient group (16,359 individuals, 80.1%) over six years starting from 2015.
The research team utilized annual average air quality databases to assess the risk of prostate cancer incidence, categorizing fine dust forecast levels into four stages: good (0-30㎍/㎥), normal (31-80㎍/㎥), bad (81-150㎍/㎥), and very bad (151㎍/㎥ or more).
As a result of the analysis, it was found that the fine dust concentration at the 'normal' level, which is generally perceived as 'acceptable', also increases the risk of prostate cancer. The research team used an average fine dust concentration of 47 ㎍/㎥ as a reference point. It was confirmed that groups exposed to concentrations higher than this reference, even within the 'normal' range (31-80㎍/㎥), had a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
This suggests that even at 'normal' levels of fine dust, there can be adverse health effects.
The research team also raised the need to strengthen Korea's fine dust standards. Professor Park Ji-hwan stated, "Korea's fine dust standards are an annual average of 50㎍/㎥ and a daily average of 100㎍/㎥, which are less strict compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards of an annual average of 15㎍/㎥ and a daily average of 45㎍/㎥," and emphasized, "More proactive policies, air quality management, and public awareness are needed to reduce long-term social costs."
Professor Park Yong-hyun of Seoul St. Mary's Hospital advised, "Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with appropriate weight and exercise can help reduce the risk of cancer related to air pollution."
The results of this study were published in the latest issue of the international public health journal 《Frontiers in Public Health》.
