Air Pollution May Increase Skin Cancer Risks: Study

Risks of skin cancer from fine particulate matter air pollution may be higher for adults under 60 years old.

According to a new study, exposure to certain types of air pollution could cause chronic skin conditions, leading to an increased risk of cancer.

The new research was published in the journal PLOS Global Public Health this month, suggesting that particulate matter, which is a type of tiny air pollution that easily enters the body, can affect different aspects of human health, including the skin, adding to risks of skin cancer.

Fine particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) is a type of air pollution made up of ultra-tiny particles of soot, dirt and water droplets. The particles are smaller than 2.5 micrometers, or 70 times smaller than the width of a single human hair. PM 2.5 comes from vehicle emissions, industry fumes, fossil fuel emissions and other sources of air pollution.

The microscopic particles are so tiny they can easily enter human airways and the bloodstream. Once in the lungs and bloodstream, the particles can cause chronic disease. Decades of research have shown that exposure to air pollution elevates the risk of various health conditions, including asthma, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Researchers from the National Taiwan Normal University studied the effects of PM 2.5 exposure to the skin in this new study, looking at data on 472 participants from communities in Taiwan in two age groups, 20 through 59 and over 60 years old.

A team of researchers, led by Dr. Fu-Yu Chan, estimated exposure levels using land use models based on residential addresses. Then, they used the VISIA Imaging System to examine skin redness and damage.

The data showed a significant link between exposure to PM 2.5 air pollution and skin redness in both groups. Among participants aged 20 through 59 years old, each unit increase in PM 2.5 exposure was linked to a 1.7 unit increase in skin redness area. In the group over 60 years old, each unit increase in PM 2.5 was linked to a 2.63 unit increase in skin redness area.

The study data showed a positive link with redness areas among the 20 through 59 age group, but not the group over 60. The researchers indicated these were linked to porphyrins, which are produced by acne-causing bacteria. Elevated porphyrins indicate higher oil content in the skin that increase the likelihood of bacterial growth and an increase in skin redness. 

Researchers said the interaction between fat in the skin, cancer causing substances in PM 2.5 and porphyrins could increase redness in the skin and may increase the risk of chronic skin conditions like eczema as well as skin cancer.

They recommend that public health officials conduct annual skin health screenings, using skin redness as a marker of air pollution exposure, which could help identify individuals who may require further evaluation for additional health effects linked to air pollution.

Particulate Matter Risks

Prior research has shown that exposure to air pollution, especially PM 2.5, increases a person’s risk of early death, even at exposure levels below national safety standards. Another study published by researchers from the University of California Irvine indicated PM 2.5 may increase the risk of preterm birth and impact the health of pregnant women.

Exposure to PM 2.5 air pollution may also increase the risk of breast cancer, especially among Black and Latina women in urban areas, according to researchers from the University of Southern California.

Additional findings from earlier this year, determined that traffic emissions account for 70% of exposure to air pollution. As populations continue to grow throughout the U.S., particulate matter is expected to become a worsening problem for many communities.