Pollution blamed for rise in child cancers in Scotland

Cases of childhood cancers in Scotland have risen by a third i n t h e p a s t t e n y e a r s , w i t h experts claiming air pollution levels are driving the increase.

Pesticides and exposure to chemicals in paint and solvents are also behind rise in the number of children being diagnosed with the disease, experts say.

New figures show that 151 c h i l d r e n i n S c o t l a n d we r e t r e a t e d f o r c a n c e r i n 2 0 16, compared with 112 in 2007 – a rise of 34 per cent.

Dr Denis Henshaw, of Children With Cancer UK, said: “Rising p ollution levels are by far the biggest culprits and responsible for 40 per cent of the rise.”

Parents and experts are calling for more robust research into the causes of childhood c a s e s , w i t h l e u k a e m i a t h e most common form of the disease in the young.

Dr Henshaw said warnings over the links between air pollution and the disease were ignored by the UK government when it introduced tax breaks for diesel car owners.

He added: “The first warnings linking poor health were given in the 1990s but the government gave diesel car owners tax breaks in 2001.

“When you look at cancers such as childhood leukaemia there is no doubt that envi - ronmental factors are playing a big role. We were shocked to see the figures, and it’s the modern lifestyle, I am afraid.

“Many items on the list of e nv i r o n m e n t a l c a u s e s a r e now known to be carcinogenic, such as air pollution and pesticides and solvents.

“L e u k a e m i a i s b y f a r t h e most common childhood cancer and the links are environmental.”

Dr Henshaw, professor of h u man r a d i a t i o n e f f e c t s a t Bristol University, said: “What is worrying is it is very hard to avoid a lot of these things. How can you avoid air pollution?”

Paul Whiteford, 33, of For t Wi l l i a m , wh o s e s o n Ry a n , six, was diagnosed with leukaemia aged just three years old, said an investigation into the rise of Scottish cases was needed.

He added: “Ryan was unwell with ear infections before he was diagnosed and some medical research suggests this may trigger leukaemia in rare cases. However, serious questions arise over what we are doing to our planet and how much pollution and pesticides contribute.

“Do they cause genetic mutations which make us more susceptible? It is a grey are which needs urgent attention.”

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