Exposure to air pollution, second-hand smoke, radon, ultraviolet radiation, asbestos, certain chemicals and other pollutants is responsible for more than 10% of all cancer cases in Europe, according to a report published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The good news is that these risks are preventable.

According to the EEA's web report 'Fighting cancer - the role of the environment in Europe', environmental and workplace pollutants, as well as some natural hazards, have a major impact on our health and in some cases lead to cancer. With almost 3 million new cases and 1.3 million deaths per year across the European Union, cancer takes a huge toll on our society. The economic costs are also huge, estimated at around €178 billion in 2018 alone. According to an EEA study, most of these environmental and occupational cancer risks can be reduced by preventing pollution and changing behaviour. Reducing exposure to these risks offers an effective and cost-effective way to reduce cancer cases and related deaths. For the first time, the EEA has examined the links between cancer and the environment, reviewing the latest scientific evidence on air pollution, radon, ultraviolet radiation, second-hand smoke and chemicals. The report estimates that environmental and occupational risks are responsible for around 10 % of cancer cases in Europe. EU Commissioner for Environment, Fisheries and Oceans Virginijus Sinkevičius said: "The EEA report highlights that too many cancers have an environmental cause. The good news is that we can act now to reduce pollution and prevent deaths. Thanks to the zero pollution ambition of the European Green Deal, we can achieve cost-effective cancer prevention by reducing exposure to harmful pollutants. What is better for the environment is better for us." Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: "It is estimated that more than a quarter of a million lives are lost in Europe every year due to environmental cancers. Prevention is always better than cure and as part of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan we have committed to reducing contaminants in water, soil and air. Just this week, as part of our Farm to Fork strategy, we put forward a groundbreaking proposal to reduce pesticide use by 50% by 2030. The findings from the European Environment Agency make it very clear how the health of our planet and the health of our citizens are closely linked. We need to work with nature, not against it." Hans Bruyninckx, EEA Executive Director, said: "Today is the time to focus on protecting the environment: "We see the impact that pollution has on the health and quality of life of European citizens, which is why pollution prevention is so important for our well-being. Reducing pollution through the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, as well as the consistent implementation of other existing EU policies, would make a significant contribution to reducing cancer cases and deaths. It would be an effective investment in the well-being of our citizens.".