Eiris Gale Jerezo

Ma. Angela Mikhaela Vito

Environment: Breathing Trouble

(Article Critique)

Large scale studies are confirming suspicions that air pollution significantly increases the
risk of lung cancer. In the article “Environment: Breathing Trouble” written by Traci Watson
(2014) examined the link between air pollution and lung cancer. The author emphasized that
with every breath, people living in polluted areas may inhale the same carcinogens as a smoker,
including tiny contaminants called particles.

The article asserts that particle pollution in the outdoor air we breathe like that coming
from vehicle exhaust, coal-fired power plants and other industrial sources can cause lung cancer.
Particle pollution increases the risk of dying early, heart disease and asthma attacks, and it can
also interfere with the growth and function of the lungs. The author presented reports that claims
that increase lung cancer-death risk is because of fine particulates and air pollution was a factor
in 10-20% of lung cancer deaths. Numerous epidemiological studies is establishing a strong link
between polluted air and lung cancer.

Evident from the concise statements in the article, this article was written from a purely
liberal perspective. The author employed appropriate and most common kind of methodology to
back up and justify her argument regarding the link between air pollution and lung cancer.
Although there is lack of evidence as researchers need more data from countries with much
pollution, it still explained the underlying factors that may contribute to the risk of getting lung
cancer from polluted air. The datas, studies and results presented give rise to diversities of
perception, interception, description and even misconception of possible and probable relevancy,
validity and significance towards researchers and readers alike. With respect to the information
and experts advice, the authors argument is valid and its premises are true making the conclusion
true as well.

The article gives sufficient ideas in a way where it gives a lot of evidences such as
studies of researchers to prove the idea that air pollution can be a great factor in contributing to
the population of people having cancer. It also provides reasons in each statement that makes the
topic more factual. Furthermore, the ideas are arranged and discussed properly, but in order to
understand or to be concluded as legitimate, it can also give ideas that are straight to the point so
the readers can easily recognize the intention of the author.

The article provided informations that gives smooth flow of all the ideas. Moreover, the
research studies and data that used can be a great contribution in the evidences. Intended
audiences may benefit from this through the information presented that may foster understanding
towards air pollution as a risk factor in developing lung cancer. Due to the impact of air pollution
to our health, we suggest to consider other factors in air pollution other than smoking in finding
the utmost risk in developing lung cancer.