Abstract 3608: Non-smoking lung cancer: The impact of cooking-related household air pollution
Authors: Bría J. McAllister, Karen Brown, Samuel Cai, Sameena Khan
Journal: Cancer Research (2025)

Abstract Lung cancer is increasingly prevalent in the non-smoking population, with Household Air Pollution (HAP) recognised as a major contributor, and some evidence that women of South-Asian backgrounds are at greater risk than other demographics. A systematic review of available literature was performed to explore the risks of lung cancer posed by HAP for never-smokers in high-income countries. We identified three papers fulfilling our criteria, two conducted in Taiwan, and one in Hong Kong, with no identified studies fitting the criteria in Western countries. The review found that cooking-related HAP increases the risk of LCINS in Chinese women. There is a clear research gap regarding the impact of HAP on LCINS in high-income countries outside Taiwan and Hong Kong. Building on this evidence, the aim of this project is to determine whether South Asian households are exposed to higher levels of cooking-related HAP compared to households of White British ethnicity, leaving them at a greater risk of non-smoking lung cancer. Methods: Twenty households have been recruited, with White British, and South-Asian families equally represented among participants. Kitchen air quality is monitored for pollutants including PM1, PM2.5, PM10, gases including NOx, CO, and O3, VOCs and mould, using active and passive methods. Air sampling is conducted over a week, once in winter and once in summer to account for seasonal variation. Participants complete a daily diary noting activities related to cooking, cleaning and ventilation. A home survey is completed noting structural features e.g., age and style of house, layout of living spaces, floor coverings and renovation work.This study is ongoing, with the first round of data collection complete in January 2025. This data will include accurate, real time air quality measurements allowing for direct comparison with the daily activity diaries to assess the impact of cooking on kitchen air quality, as well as initial analysis of the impact of ethnicity and cultural practices on the quality of household air in non-smoking households.To date, data from eight houses has been collected, with 12 more scheduled. Initial Findings have shown that the use of gas cookers and hobs increases PM1, PM2.5, PM10, while also raising concentrations of NOx and O3. Homes using gas appliances frequently breached recommended NOx exposure levels. While air fryers and electric hobs also increase levels of PM1, PM2.5, PM10 during use, there is no corresponding increase in NOx or O3.To the best of our knowledge, this is the first UK study to explore how cooking practices affect the presence and concentrations of PM, VOCs and mould in household environments, with a focus on ethnicity and cultural practices. It will provide valuable data on how household air quality affects the risks of non-smoking lung cancer in a high-income country. Citation Format: Bría J. McAllister, Karen Brown, Samuel Cai, Sameena Khan. Non-smoking lung cancer: The impact of cooking-related household air pollution [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 3608.