Air pollution and urban factors in relation to cancer mortality

Age adjusted mortality rates for the 1969-1971 adult population in the United States reveal a consistent pattern of 13% excess cancer mortality in the metropolitan counties with central cities compared to non-metropolitan counties. Only 14% of all cancer death exhibit a different pattern. A detailed analysis of cancer mortality in Cuyahoga County, (Cleveland), Ohio, during the years 1969-1971, shows that apart from cancer mortality of the respiratory tract, general air pollution characteristics correlate secondarily with mortality, compared with socioeconomic factors.