Yale Study Links Childhood Pollution Exposure to Increased Thyroid Cancer Risk

A large-scale Yale University study has found a significant association between early-life exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) and outdoor artificial light at night (O-ALAN) and an increased risk of papillary thyroid cancer in children and young adults up to age 19. The research analyzed data from 736 cases and 36,800 controls in California, using sophisticated geospatial and satellite modeling to estimate exposure based on residential location at birth. For every 10 micrograms per cubic meter increase in PM2.5, the odds of developing thyroid cancer rose by about 7%, with the risk being highest among teenagers and Hispanic children. Children born in areas with high levels of outdoor artificial light at night were 23–25% more likely to develop thyroid cancer. The study highlights concern over these widespread environmental exposures, particularly in urban areas, and underscores the need for further investigation into environmental risk factors for pediatric thyroid cancer. These findings come as the incidence of pediatric thyroid cancer continues to rise globally.