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Which exposures besides tobacco smoking can cause lung cancer?
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human disease
The routine monitoring of blood pressure levels is an important part of assessing an individual's health. Blood pressure provides information about the amount of blood in circulation and about heart function and thus is an important indicator of disease.
While tobacco smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, several other environmental and occupational exposures are known to increase the risk of developing the disease.12
Key exposures include:
- Radon Gas: A radioactive gas that can accumulate in homes built over natural sources. It is a significant risk factor, particularly for nonsmokers.12
- Asbestos: Prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibers, often occurring in mining, construction, and manufacturing, is strongly linked to lung cancer and mesothelioma.32
- Secondhand Smoke: Nonsmokers regularly exposed to tobacco smoke from others face an increased risk of lung cancer.142
- Air Pollution: Exposure to particulate matter and other airborne pollutants is considered a contributing factor to the incidence of lung cancer.152
- Occupational Hazards: Workers in specific industries face higher risks due to exposure to substances such as arsenic, chromium, nickel, halogenated ethers, and coal products.12
- Ionizing Radiation: Exposure to high levels of radiation, such as through medical treatments or environmental sources, is associated with an increased risk of various cancers, including lung cancer.6
It is important to note that these factors can interact; for example, smoking significantly increases the cancer-causing potential of asbestos and radon exposure.132