EXPOSURE soon after birth, or even before, to combustion gases,
particularly engine exhaust, is strongly linked to the
development of childhood cancers like leukaemia, according to a
report. "These results confirm the relative proximity of child
cancer births to substance-specific hotspots from oil-based
emissions, and to industrial sites known to discharge such
materials," Dr E. G. Knox from the University of Birmingham,
reports. Knox linked emission hot- spots for specific chemicals,
from maps available on the Internet maps, to the birth addresses
of children who later died from leukaemia or other cancers
before their 16th birthday. An excess risk of childhood cancer
was noted in hotspots for a variety of chemicals, including
carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and 1,3-butadiene. Knox notes
that these chemicals, which are largely produced by engine
exhausts, were powerful predictors of childhood cancer.
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