Grey relational analysis on association between urban air pollution and lung cancer in China

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between urban air pollution and the morbidity and mortality of lung cancer in Beijing,Shanghai,and Guangzhou city,and to analyze related air pollution factors of lung cancer morbidity and mortality.MethodsGrey relational analysis was applied to calculate absolute degree of grey incidence,relative degree of grey incidence,synthetic degree of grey incidence,and the latent period of lung cancer induced by air pollution was quantitatively analyzed.ResultsThe most serious pollution factors affecting lung cancer incidence in Beijing were nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in aerodynamic diameter (PM 2.5),and the corresponding latent periods of lung cancer were 4 and 8 years,respectively.In Shanghai,the most serious pollution factors were dust fall and PM 2.5,and the corresponding latent periods were 2 and 4 years,respectively.In Guangzhou,the most serious pollution factors were dust fall and NO₂,and the corresponding latent periods were both 5 years.ConclusionThe different characteristics were found in the relationship between lung cancer's morbidity and mortality and air population in the three urban areas,and the related latent periods were also different,suggesting that pertinent measures need to be taken to control urban air pollution for prevention of lung cancer.