Question reference: S6W-03987
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 8 November 2021
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 November 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to research by Professor Denis Henshaw on the link between air pollution and child cancer.
Answer
It is widely documented that air pollution has a negative impact on health. However air pollution does not cause recognisably distinctive diseases and the sorts of illness that air pollution can exacerbate can also be affected by multiple other factors. The relationship between air pollution and health is extremely complex, and it is not possible to say with any certainty what impact air pollution can have on a specific individual. We do know that the very young, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable.
We welcome Professor Henshaw’s call for more research into the link between air pollution and child cancer, to further solidify whether there is a correlation.