Indoor air pollution and lung cancer risk in prospective study of non-smoking Chinese women

Thursday, October 11, 2012 — Poster Session III
10:00 a.m. – Noon	Natcher Conference Center, Building 45	NCI	EPID-12

Authors

• C Kim
• N Rothman
• Q Lan

Abstract

Background: Indoor air pollution caused by poor ventilation and burning of solid fuels has been associated with lung cancer risk in retrospective case-control studies. To address shortcomings in past research, a modern prospective cohort study was conducted. Methods: 73,442 women were followed through December 2009. 429 women with lung cancer were ascertained. Questionnaires collected information on all household living conditions. Results: Ever having poor ventilation was associated with a 61% increase in lung cancer risk (HR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.19-2.18), and more than 20 years was associated with a 100% increase in risk (HR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.32-3.01) compared to always having good household ventilation. Ever use of poorly ventilated coal was associated with a 52% increased risk of lung cancer (HR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.12-2.08), and more than 20 years of use was associated with a 54% increase (HR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.03-2.31) compared to gas users with at least adequate ventilation. Conclusions: This prospective cohort study of Chinese women suggests exposure to poor ventilation and coal increases the risk of lung cancer. These findings were consistent with past retrospective case-control studies. These results suggest that current modern day cooking conditions could still present a public health concern.

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