1 Mansel Nelson, ITEP Leading Causes of Lung Cancer

2 First Leading Cause of Lung Cancer Smoking is leading cause of lung cancer Causes an estimated 160,000 deaths in the U.S. every year (American Cancer Society, 2004 Rate among women is rising Now exceeds breast cancer

3 Second Leading Cause of Lung Cancer Radon is number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers Second leading cause of lung cancer Responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year About 2,900 among people who have never smoked

4 Third Leading Cause of Lung Cancer Secondhand smoke is third leading cause of lung cancer Estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths every year About 1,000 never smoked; about 2,000 former smokers

5 Another Leading Cause of Cancer Asbestos exposure Highest risk Mining, milling, manufacturing of asbestos Use asbestos and its products

6 Synergistic Connections (Radon and Smoking) Radon and smoking are synergistic Smokers: 62 of 1,000 people will die of lung cancer Never-smokers: 7.3 of 1,000 for never-smokers Never-smoker at 1.3 pCi/L (indoor average): 2 in 1,000 chance of dying from lung cancer Smoker at 1.3 pCi/L (indoor average): 20 in 1,000 chance of dying from lung cancer

7 Synergistic Connections (Asbestos and Smoking) Exposure to asbestos increases risk of developing lung disease Risk made worse by smoking

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9 Smoking Harms nearly every bodily organ Causing many diseases, degrades health Estimated 438,000 deaths (nearly 1 of 5 deaths) each year in U.S. More than by all deaths from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined

10 Smoking (cont.) Cancer is second leading cause of death First disease directly linked to smoking Risk of dying from lung cancer 23x higher among men 13x higher among women Smoking causes cancers of bladder, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx (voice box), esophagus, cervix, kidney, lung, pancreas, and stomach, and acute myeloid leukemia

11 Smoking (cont.) Smokers 2–4 times more likely to develop coronary heart disease Smoking doubles a person’s risk for stroke Smokers more than 10x as likely than nonsmokers to develop peripheral vascular disease

12 Smoking (cont.) Causes tenfold increase in risk of dying from chronic obstructive lung disease Many adverse reproductive and early childhood effects, including increased risk for infertility, preterm delivery, stillbirth, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) Postmenopausal women smokers have lower bone density

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14 Radon (cont.) Radon in air is ubiquitous Found in outdoor air and indoor air of buildings of all kinds No known safe level of radon

15 Radon (cont.) Red alert - radon level above 4 pCi/L (pico Curies per Liter) Yellow alert - radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L Average radon indoor air about 1.3 pCi/L

16 Radon in Buildings From soil Lower parts of building at greatest risk “Stack effect”

17 Radon Testing

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19 Surgeon General’s Report Second-Hand Smoke Single greatest avoidable cause of disease and death

20 Surgeon General’s Report (cont.) Millions of Americans, children and adults, still exposed to second-hand smoke Second-hand smoke exposure causes disease and premature death in children and adults who do not smoke

21 Surgeon General’s Report (cont.) Children exposed to secondhand smoke at increased risk for Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) Acute respiratory infections Ear problems More severe asthma

22 Smoke-Free Pledge

23 Surgeon General’s Report (cont.) Exposure of adults to secondhand smoke has immediate adverse effects Cardiovascular system and causes Coronary heart disease Lung cancer

24 Surgeon General’s Report (cont.) The scientific evidence indicates there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke

25 Surgeon General’s Report (cont.) Eliminating smoking in indoor spaces fully protects nonsmokers Following actions DO Not protect nonsmokers Separating smokers from nonsmokers Cleaning the air Ventilating buildings

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27 Asbestos What does it look like? fibrous, friable (able to crumble) and fluffy, almost like a muddy brown or white cotton wool

28 Asbestos – Health Impacts Lung Cancer Asbestosis – serious, progressive, long- term non-cancer disease of the lungs Mesothelioma – rare form of cancer found in thin lining (membrane) of lungs

29 Where is asbestos found? Acoustic insulator Thermal insulation Fire proofing Other building materials Brake pads / drum Brake linings Asbestos-cement

30 Isn’t asbestos banned? Asbestos is NOT a banned substance In 1989, EPA banned all NEW uses of asbestos Uses established before 1989 are still allowed

31 Health Risk Intact, undisturbed asbestos- containing materials generally do not pose a health risk

32 Schools Perform inspections and re-inspection every three years of asbestos-containing material Asbestos management plan Notification to parent, teacher, and employee organizations Provide custodial staff with asbestos-awareness training

33 Work Place U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued revised regulations covering asbestos exposure In construction, there are special regulated-area requirements for asbestos removal, renovation, and demolition operations

34 Home Materials containing asbestos that are not disturbed or deteriorated do not, in general, pose a health risk and can be left alone If you are concerned, contact EPA or Health Department - Test your home - Locate a company trained to remove or contain fibers

35 Synergism of Asbestos and Smoking Cigarette smoke and asbestos together significantly increase your chances of getting lung cancer If you have been exposed to asbestos, you should stop smoking This may be the most important action that you can take to improve your health and decrease your risk of cancer

36 Tobacco Resources / /

37 Radon Resources pdf pdf

38 Asbestos References ools.html ools.html

39 Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Mansel A. Nelson, Senior Program Coordinator Environmental Education Outreach Program (EEOP) Northern Arizona University (NAU) Voice FAX PO Box 5768, Flagstaff, AZ