Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Preventing Exposure to Airborne Carcinogens and Pollutants in Homes and Buildings

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and that more men and women in America die from lung cancer than from any other form of cancer. The agency goes on to share that as recently as 2019, over 139,000 people died of lung cancer that year.

While many cases of lung cancer can be prevented if people stopped smoking or were not exposed to secondhand smoke, there are other environmental factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing the disease. The second leading cause of lung cancer is radon according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and CDC has stated in the past that 1 out of 15 homes has a high level of radon. Radon is a naturally occurring gas that comes from rocks and dirt and can get trapped in homes and buildings.

People can also be exposed to substances and chemical compounds at work that could increase their chances of developing lung cancer. There are many known occupational carcinogens that may be present in dusts or fumes, including, but by no means limited to, substances such as asbestos, arsenic, benzene, cadmium, ethylene oxide, diesel exhaust, and some forms of silica and chromium.

“To increase awareness of the disease, each November is recognized as Lung Cancer Awareness Month,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “It is a time to educate the public about avoiding exposure risks to airborne pollutants that are known to cause lung cancer and other respiratory diseases at work, school and in the home. EMSL Analytical proudly supports the efforts of Lung Cancer Awareness Month and encourages people to learn more about airborne pollutants and respiratory health. Our environmental laboratories, located across North America, provide an array of air testing services, sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, monitoring instruments, and even respirators and other personal protective equipment. Knowing what is in the air is the first step in protecting the health of our lungs.”

Several years ago, EMSL sponsored an educational video about Lung Cancer Awareness Month that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/LV7zwQiwaCQ

To learn more about this or other outdoor or indoor air quality (IAQ), occupational, environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com . For access to environmental test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products, and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail