Impact of environmental pollution with benzapyrenene on respiratory cancer incidence

Abstract

The rapid improvement of modern industrial technologies and motor transport has led to significant qualitative and quantitative changes in the composition and volume of harmful emissions into the atmosphere. This has caused a constant impact on humans due to a number of harmful anthropogenic factors, including carcinogens, which can lead to the development of cancer. The most important aspect is the presence of carcinogens from the class of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, in particular their main representative – benzo[a]pyrene. This substance, which has the property of being a local carcinogen when inhaled, contributes to the development of malignant tumors, mainly in the respiratory organs. According to the conclusions of experts from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, oncopathology is one of the indicators of the ecological disadvantage of the territory: chemical carcinogenic factors of the environment, everyday life and production determine the development of almost 80% of all malignant tumors. According to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 303, it is envisaged to revise the standards for the content of pollutants in atmospheric air due to changes in national and European Union legislation on limiting the content of pollutants in exhaust gases and the impact of physical factors of mobile sources of atmospheric air pollution. According to the classification of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, benzo[a]pyrene is considered a compound that is definitely carcinogenic to humans [209]. The presence of this substance in atmospheric air is considered by experts as one of the key indicators of aerogenic carcinogenic load on humans.