Outdoor air pollution and cancer in Canadian children

Outdoor air pollution is a human carcinogen. This classification is based largely on a series of studies that has shown it increases respiratory cancers in adults. There is more limited evidence that that suggests it increases the risk of childhood cancer. To date, there have been few Canadian studies on this topic, and none that have been national in scope. This study will make use pre-existing cohort data assembled at an individual level that was created by the record linkage of national birth, cancer incidence, and mortality and income tax databases between 2000 and 2021. Air pollution surfaces have been generated that can be linked to place of residence of the children. This will allow us to estimate the risk of developing childhood cancer among those living in more highly polluted areas relative to those less polluted. These risks will be generated separately for common types of childhood cancers, including leukemia, brain tumors, and lymphomas. We will examine biological sex differences in air pollution risks by estimating risks separately for boys, and girls. The study will be carried out at Carleton University and include an interdisciplinary team of researchers including those within the federal government.

Faculty Supervisor:

Paul Villeneuve

Student:

Partner:

Université de Bordeaux

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences and Technology; Environmental Science and Technology; Transportation (excluding aerospace)

University:

Carleton University

Program: