According to a new study, air pollution from living near roads may increase the incidence of lung cancer, normally attributed to smoking. Research indicates that even small quantities of traffic fumes are equivalent to passive smoking.

The group of researchers said that pollution should be on the list of World Health Organisation’s causative factors leading to lung cancer. Apparently, the particles that are specific to lung cancer were isolated to sooty material from diesel fumes. These tiny particles have a tendency to get caught in the lungs.

The higher the exposure to these particles, the higher the incidence of disease, the research found. The international survey reports that risks for lung cancer increase 20 per cent for areas that are moderately polluted.

The same percentage of risk exists when moving from moderately polluted areas to highly polluted areas. Data for the study was taken from more than 300,000 individuals, including those from 17 other studies conducted in Europe. Results are published in The Lancet Oncology.

Researchers say that, while the risks to an individual are low, air pollution must be considered a serious public health problem. They looked at 17 previous studies that had collected data on 313,000 people around Europe, and recorded pollution levels where they lived.

Of those, 2,095 developed lung cancer, or 0.67 per cent. Topping the list of causes of lung cancer is smoking, which accounts for more than 80% of cases. Other factors that may give rise to lung rise are radioactive gases from the ground or toxic chemicals.

Ole Raaschou-Nielsen, from the Danish Cancer Research Centre in Copenhagen, led the research. Nielson told study, "The more traffic nearby, the more particles; and the more densely populated the area, the more particles," adding that, "both traffic and the degree of urban development matters," AAP reported.

In the U.K., 42,000 individuals are diagnosed with lung cancer. "If you compare air pollution with smoking, it's very low risk - you can have a 3,000 per cent increase," Dr Raaschou-Nielsen said.

He added, "So it's not of that magnitude at all. At an individual level it's comparable to passive smoking." It would be a good idea to avoid busy roads, however, moving to a new locality was unnecessary.

Lung Cancer Risk increased with exposure to traffic fume, air pollution.

"If you can change your bicycle route so you don't cycle along busy roads, or avoid rush hour, then I would do it," said Dr. Nielson in an online report by Perth Now.