Abstract
The causal association between exposure to exhaust gas from cars and incidence of lung cancer was examined. Traffic volume was taken as an indicator of degree of exposure to exhaust gas. Subjects investigated were 732, 896 inhabitants living in the areas within 100 meters from the street and intersection in Nagoya city, 1969-1974, where more than 1, 000 cars pass through for 12 hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. a day. During these six years there were 1, 182 deaths from lung cancer in Nagoya city, among them 476 deaths occurred in the studied areas.
Mortality rate of lung cancer increased in parallel with traffic volume, but no significant difference between them was observed. There is no difference of mortality rate from lung cancer between the four areas within 25m., 25-50m., 50-75m. and 75-100m. from the edge of the street or intersection.
Average age at death for lung cancer patients in each area by traffic volume was about the same. The area with high traffic volume is located on the central par of the city where other socio-environmental factors may give the Influence on incidence of lung cancer.
