PM2.5 damages cardiopulmonary system  

钟南山：雾霾会对人的心肺带来整体损害

“PM2.5不仅会致肺癌，对人的伤害是心肺的整体损害。” 前日，中国工程院院士钟南山在参加第二届南方医事法学市内论坛间隙，接受新快报等媒体记者采访时表示，确实发现，PM2.5水平与肺癌发病率和死亡率呈正相关，中国现有的研究也发现，PM2.5可以进入血液，所携带的东西会造成心脏的损害。[查看全文]

(ECNS) – Chinese pulmonologist Zhong Nanshan said on Saturday that PM2.5 not only increases the risk of lung cancer, but also can cause overall damage to the human heart and lung, the Guangzhou-based New Express reported.

Zhong said research on the relationship between PM2.5 and lung cancer has been done for dozens of years in Western countries, and results show lung cancer deaths would increase by 17 to 25 percent for each 10μg per cubic meter rise in the concentration of PM2.5.

A research report issued by the World Health Organization on Nov 17 said smog may cause bladder cancer as well, and current studies in China have found that particulate matters can enter the bloodstream and cause damage to the heart and lung, Zhong added.

However, China hasn't conducted any long-term research on smog's influence on human health. PM2.5 concentration in China is five times, or even 10 times, higher than in foreign countries' studies, Zhong said. "I would like to lead the research."

PM2.5 index has been used as an indicator of local officials' performance assessment. It's a huge improvement, Zhong said, and he would propose at next year's NPC and CPPCC sessions that the government take measures against PM2.5.

Zhong is best known for discovering the SARS virus and managing the SARS outbreak in Guangdong province in 2003.