How would you respond if another student states you should not worry about air pollution because through natural selection the human species will develop lungs that can detoxify pollutants?

The likelihood of developing lung cancer can be increased by exposure to air pollution. The number of lung cancer deaths attributable to air pollution remains very small but it the number is growing. Chances are increased for individuals living in certain metropolitan areas or working near industry or power plants.

Prolonged exposure to pollution is similar to that as second-hand smoking in terms of developing lung cancer. Asbestos contains silicate fibers, and when breathed in, they can remain in the lung tissue for a lifetime. Lung cancer is associated with asbestos exposure, as is mesothelioma, a type of abdominal cancer.

Although many countries like the United States have banned asbestos, certain workplace jobs are still required to handle the dangerous fibers. Although there is still the need for more research to be done, scientists have found that smokers who take beta-carotene supplements will have an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Although this has just been shown in smokers, there is still studies looking into possible foods and dietary supplements for everyone.

The natural gas Radon is a decay product of uranium that emits a certain type of cancer-causing, ionizing radiation. It can spur lung cancer at alarmingly high rates, especially in homes that emit radon gas. According to the National Cancer Institute, lung cancer fatalities could drop by 2 to 4 percent if radon levels in homes drop to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's standards.