December 14, 2012: The new study "Parental Occupational Exposure to Engine Exhausts and Childhood Brain Tumours" from The University of Western Australia published in the International Journal of Cancer,is reporting that children whose parents are exposed to higher levels of diesel fumes have a higher chance of developing brain tumors.
According to Amber Moore for Medical Daily, previous research found occupational exposure to diesel fumes increases the odds of a person developing cancer. However, the new study found that even kids of these parents tend to be at a higher risk of developing a serious health complication such as a brain tumor. Childhood brain tumors are a leading cause of death among children.
The study looked at 306 children with brain tumours and 950 children who didn't have any tumors and interviewed their parents about their work environments. According to Medical xpress,the study found that father who worked near cars, trucks or heavy machinery at the time of conception had children who had an increased risk of developing brain tumors. Mothers who were exposed to diesel fumes before birth of the child had children who were at increased risk of brain tumor.
Lead author of the study assistant professor Susan Peters (above) said "This work on the occupational hazards faced by parents of children with brain tumours was part of a wider study led by Telethon Institute for Child Health Research (TICHR), which also looked at other factors which may be involved in children developing brain tumours."
Professor Peters said researchers started investigating parental exposure to diesel exhaust fumes after the International Agency for Research on Cancer listed it [diesel fumes] as a human carcinogen.
Written by: Taylor McCulloch
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