ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Epidemiology of Selected Childhood Cancers in the Context of Air Pollution in Gdańsk
1
Faculty of Health Sciences with the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
2
Methodological advisor in biology and chemistry, RODN WOM Bielsko-Biała, Poland
3
Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland
4
Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
Submission date: 2026-01-29
Final revision date: 2026-02-24
Acceptance date: 2026-03-07
Online publication date: 2026-03-27
Publication date: 2026-03-27
Corresponding author
Dariusz Jerzy Góra
Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk Faculty of Health Sciences, Poland
Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk Faculty of Health Sciences, Poland
Civil and Environmental Engineering Reports 2026;36(1):126-134
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The long-term effects of ambient air pollution are of concern, as many pollutants are carcinogenic, potentially causing various types of cancer, including childhood cancers. The aim of this article is to discuss the incidence of selected cancers in children and adolescents in Gdańsk in the context of air pollution. The research material consists of data on the incidence of selected cancers in children and adolescents aged 0-18 years and data on average annual air pollution concentrations in Gdańsk. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used. The incidence of individual cancers varied. The highest average annual concentration of benzo(a)pyrene was recorded in 2014-2015, and the lowest (0.5 ng/m³) in 2023. Due to the small sample size (n = 10) and the exploratory nature of the analysis, there is no basis for drawing firm conclusions. Low correlation coefficients may indicate a lack of a direct, linear, or monotonic relationship between the variables studied. Another important factor influencing the clear conclusions drawn from the study results is the relatively short analysis period. The presented results do not lead to the conclusion of a cause-and-effect relationship.
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| ISSN: | 2080-5187 |
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