Early Exposure to Air and Light Pollution Increases Risk of Thyroid Cancer in Children

A new study has found that children who are exposed to air and light pollution at an early age have a higher risk of developing thyroid cancer.

Researchers studied health records and pollution levels to understand how the environment affects children’s health.

The study showed that air pollution, which includes harmful particles from cars, factories, and burning waste, can damage the body over time. When children breathe in polluted air every day, it can affect their growing organs, including the thyroid gland.

The thyroid gland, located in the neck, helps control how the body uses energy. When it does not work properly, it can lead to serious health problems, including cancer. The researchers found that children who lived in areas with high air pollution had a greater chance of getting thyroid cancer later in life.

In addition to air pollution, light pollution also increased the risk. Light pollution happens when artificial lights from street lamps, buildings, and vehicles make the night sky too bright. This bright light at night can disturb a child’s sleep and affect hormones in the body. Experts believe this disturbance may lead to changes in the thyroid gland, increasing the risk of cancer.

The scientists studied data from thousands of children across different cities. They compared the pollution levels in each area with the number of thyroid cancer cases. The results showed a clear connection between early pollution exposure and higher cancer risk.

Doctors and health experts now suggest that families should protect children from pollution as much as possible. They advise using air purifiers indoors, keeping windows closed on high-pollution days, and limiting screen time and bright lights at night.

Government authorities can also help by reducing pollution through better laws and cleaner energy. Protecting children from harmful environmental conditions can lower the chances of health problems in the future.

This study highlights the need to keep our surroundings clean and safe, especially for growing children who are more sensitive to pollution.