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Air Pollutants in Puerto Rico: Key Pollutants and Carcinogenic Properties.

Devrim Kaya1, Clara Santiago2, Enrique Pernas3

  • 1School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|October 29, 2025
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Summary

Air pollution in Puerto Rico, driven by industry and military activities, is linked to rising cancer and respiratory illnesses. Key pollutants like ethylene oxide (EtO) are concentrated in hotspots, necessitating urgent public health interventions and regulatory oversight.

Keywords:
Puerto Ricocancercarcinogenshazardous air pollutants (HAPs)health risksindustrial emissionsnatural contaminants

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Public Health
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Air pollution is a significant public health concern in Puerto Rico, exacerbated by industrialization, military activities, and environmental changes.
  • Rising rates of respiratory diseases, including lung cancer, are documented in national and regional health registries, correlating with increased air pollutant levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review major air pollutants in Puerto Rico.
  • To investigate the molecular carcinogenic mechanisms of these pollutants, focusing on respiratory cancers.
  • To identify geographic areas significantly impacted by air pollution.

Main Methods:

  • Extensive literature search of peer-reviewed articles, governmental reports (EPA, WHO), and public health registries.
  • Data extraction and synthesis on pollutant type, source, molecular pathways, and carcinogenic properties.
  • Correlation analysis between pollutant concentrations and local cancer/respiratory disease incidence.

Main Results:

  • Ethylene oxide (EtO), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and particulate matter (PM) from industrial sources were identified as key pollutants.
  • Salinas and Vieques emerged as critical hotspots with high concentrations of pollutants like EtO, formaldehyde, TCDD, and diesel PM.
  • These pollutants were associated with a significant prevalence of cancer and respiratory diseases, inducing genomic instability and chromosomal aberrations.

Conclusions:

  • Urgent, targeted public health interventions are needed to address air pollution in Puerto Rico.
  • A multi-pronged strategy including enhanced regulatory oversight, community biomonitoring, and investment in public health infrastructure is recommended.
  • Integrating environmental science with public health advocacy is crucial for cancer control and community resilience.