New study uncovers troubling link between thyroid cancer and childhood exposure: 'These results are concerning'
The Yale University-led research found a "significant association" between exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution and outdoor artificial light at night and an increased risk of papillary thyroid cancer in children and young adults up to 19 years old. These exposures occurred during the perinatal stage of life, which is typically defined as the period that starts when pregnancy occurs and lasts up to a year after birth.
The study, summarized in News Medical Life Sciences, found the strongest association between exposure and thyroid cancer in teenagers aged 15–19 and Hispanic children.
"These results are concerning, especially given how widespread both of these exposures are," lead author Nicole Deziel said. "Fine particulate matter is found in urban air pollution due to automobile traffic and industrial activity, and artificial light at night is common, particularly in densely populated urban areas."
She added that thyroid cancer is one of the fastest-growing cancers among children and adolescents.
"Our study is the first large-scale investigation to suggest that these exposures early in life — specifically to PM2.5 and outdoor light at night — may play a role in this concerning trend."
Children are often diagnosed with thyroid cancer at more advanced stages and with larger tumor sizes compared to adults, according to the university. Long-term effects for pediatric survivors can include temperature dysregulation, headaches, physical disabilities, and mental fatigue — these all can affect major life milestones such as education, employment, and having a family.
Meanwhile, additional research has pointed to many other dangers of air and light pollution. One study found a connection between long-term exposure to air pollution and the development of psoriasis, a chronic and often debilitating skin condition. Another paper found a link between artificial light and cerebrovascular disease, a diagnosis that includes numerous conditions, including stroke, that cause blood flow problems in the brain. Light pollution can also impede survival for animals like coral and fireflies.
A number of cities and countries are trying to cut down on air pollution to help protect public health and reduce planet-warming emissions. For instance, Wales is banning most new roadway projects, and a New York law will require all Lyfts and Ubers to be EVs by 2030. You can help by opting for more climate-friendly transportation, which can reduce traffic-related pollution for everyone.
Plus, at least 18 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico have laws in place to reduce light pollution, according to Emerson Electric Co. Meanwhile, you can fight light pollution at home, too. DarkSky International recommends turning off unnecessary outdoor lights at night, avoiding the use of blue lights, and switching to LED lighting with warm-colored bulbs.
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Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Boston Globe
No proof Hamas routinely stole UN aid, Israeli military officials say
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Advertisement Israel moved in May toward replacing the UN-led aid system that had been in place for most of the 21-month war in Gaza, opting instead to back a private, American-run operation guarded by armed US contractors in areas controlled by Israeli military forces. Some aid still comes into Gaza through the United Nations and other organizations. The new system has proved to be much deadlier for Palestinians trying to obtain food handouts. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, almost 1,100 people have been killed by gunfire on their way to get food handouts under the new system, in many cases by Israeli soldiers who opened fire on hungry crowds. Israeli officials have said they fired shots in the air in some instances because the crowds came too close or endangered their forces. The military officials who spoke to The New York Times said that the original UN aid operation was relatively reliable and less vulnerable to Hamas interference than the operations of many of the other groups bringing aid into Gaza. That's largely because the United Nations managed its own supply chain and handled distribution directly inside Gaza. Hamas did steal from some of the smaller organizations that donated aid, as those groups were not always on the ground to oversee distribution, according to the senior Israeli officials and others involved in the matter. But, they say, there was no evidence that Hamas regularly stole from the United Nations, which provided the largest chunk of the aid. A Hamas representative did not immediately respond to requests for comment. An internal US government analysis came to a similar conclusion, Reuters reported Friday. It found no evidence of systematic Hamas theft of US-funded humanitarian supplies, the report said. Advertisement 'For months, we and other organizations were dragged through the mud by accusations that Hamas steals from us,' said Georgios Petropoulos, a former UN official in Gaza who oversaw aid coordination with Israel for nearly 13 months of war. The senior military officials and others interviewed by the Times spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on behalf of the military or government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In a statement, the military said that it has been 'well documented' that Hamas has routinely 'exploited humanitarian aid to fund terrorist activities.' But the military did not dispute the assessment that there was no evidence that Hamas regularly stole aid from the United Nations. The Israeli government and military have often clashed over how to conduct the war in Gaza. Early last year, top commanders urged a cease-fire with Hamas to secure the release of hostages. Netanyahu's government instead expanded the ground operation in southern Gaza. Israel used the rationale that Hamas steals aid when it cut off all food and other supplies to Gaza between March and May. In March, after a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel collapsed, Netanyahu said: 'Hamas is currently taking control of all supplies and goods entering Gaza,' and he declared that Israel would prevent anything from entering the territory. That blockade, and problems with a new aid system that launched in May, brought hunger and starvation in Gaza to the current crisis levels. For most of the war, the UN was the largest single source of aid entering Gaza, according to data from the Israeli military unit that oversees policy in the territory. Advertisement Now, the new aid system is managed instead by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a private American company led by a former CIA agent. It was intended to eventually replace international aid organizations and the UN role. But it has only a few distribution hubs, compared with hundreds under the former UN-run operation. The new system's rollout at the end of May was quickly followed by near-daily episodes of deadly violence near distribution sites. Desperate and hungry Palestinians must go to the few aid distribution sites located in areas controlled by Israeli forces. The hours of operation are limited and supplies run out, so crowds arrive early, with some walking for miles to get there. Since May 19, when Israel allowed emergency supplies to resume entering Gaza after its two-month blockade, half of the aid has been distributed by the United Nations and international organizations, with the other half coming through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the Israeli military says. Petropoulos welcomed the notion that some Israeli officials had recognized the UN-led aid system as effective during the war. 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NBC News
2 days ago
- NBC News
A global HIV/AIDS program that saved millions of lives faces cuts under the Trump administration
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The administration initially proposed a cut of $400 million from next year's budget, but that funding was restored at the last minute by the Republican-led Senate last week, keeping it going in the short term. Four congressional aides told NBC News that the program was virtually frozen, along with most funding for USAID, in early February. Contracts with providers were put on hold and funding was reduced to what they called a 'trickle.' They said that most promised State Department waivers for critical care did not materialize, and that 51% of current PEPFAR appropriations were either terminated or were not functional. 'They're sitting on the money,' congressional officials said. 'We're not seeing it in the field.' 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Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Los Angeles Times
Opinion: Looking into a lead-filled society
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