Air toxics problem in the United States: an analysis of cancer risks posed by selected air pollutants

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00022470.1985.10465929· OSTI ID:5092700

Thomson, V E; Jones, A; Haemisegger, E; Steigerwald, B

Both point sources and area sources appear to contribute significantly to the air toxic problem. Available data indicate that the following pollutants may be important contributors to aggregate cancer incidence from air toxics: metals, especially chromium and arsenic, asbestos, products of incomplete combustion, formaldehyde, benzene, ethylene oxide, gasoline vapors, and chlorinated organic compounds, such as chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, perchloroethylene, and trichloroethylene. A wide variety of sources contributes to individual risk and aggregate incidence from air toxics. Three analyses quantified estimated cancer risks due to toxic air pollutants. Maximum lifetime individual risks of 10/sup -4/ or greater were estimated for 21 pollutants. Criteria pollutant control programs appear to have done more to reduce air toxics risks than have programs for specific toxic compounds and neighborhoods in risk levels, and in the pollutants and sources that cause risk. 11 references.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC
• OSTI ID: 5092700
• Journal Information: J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 35:5; ISSN JPCAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
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560306 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
ALDEHYDES
ALKENES
AROMATICS
ARSENIC
ASBESTOS
BENZENE
CARCINOGENS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMIUM
COMBUSTION
ELEMENTS
ETHYLENE
FORMALDEHYDE
FUELS
GASOLINE
GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HYDROCARBONS
LIQUID FUELS
MATERIALS
METALS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION SOURCES
RISK ASSESSMENT
SEMIMETALS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
TOXIC MATERIALS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VARIATIONS