§ Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what further progress has been made with research into the possible connection between lung cancer and atmospheric pollution.
§ Mr. TurtonEpidemiological studies over the last three years have established that the incidence of cancer of the lung is higher among those who live in towns than among those who live in the country. Although the reasons for this have not been definitely established, atmospheric pollution and cigarette smoking are thought to be two possible contributory factors. The rate of cigarette smoking is generally greater in urban than in rural areas; the incidence of lung cancer in men who are heavy smokers does not differ greatly in the two types of area, but among men who smoke few or no cigarettes a greater incidence has been found in those who live in towns. It is100W therefore thought that some other factor must be present, and 3:4 benzpyrene, which is known to be carcinogenic for animals, has been demonstrated in samples of atmospheric pollution collected in a number of British cities. Research is continuing on the relationship of both atmospheric pollution and smoking to lung cancer and has been greatly increased in volume during the past twelve months.