Air Pollutants in Puerto Rico: Key Pollutants and Carcinogenic Properties

Devrim Kaya (), Clara Santiago, Enrique Pernas, Sammy Truong, Greicha Martinez, Loyda B. Méndez and Yamixa Delgado ()
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Devrim Kaya: School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
Clara Santiago: School of Naturopathic Medicine, Universidad Ana G. Mendez Gurabo Campus, Gurabo, PR 00777, USA
Enrique Pernas: Biochemistry & Pharmacology Department, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, PR 00726, USA
Sammy Truong: School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
Greicha Martinez: Microbiology Program, Natural Science Department, Interamerican University Metropolitan Campus, San Juan, PR 00919, USA
Loyda B. Méndez: School of Science and Technology, Universidad Ana G. Mendez Carolina Campus, Carolina, PR 00983, USA
Yamixa Delgado: Biochemistry & Pharmacology Department, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, PR 00726, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 10, 1-28

Abstract: Air pollutants pose a growing public health concern in Puerto Rico (PR), particularly from rapid industrialization, military activities, environmental changes and natural disasters. A total of 193 pollutants, comprising the 187 hazardous air pollutants and the 6 criteria air pollutants—including particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC), and heavy metals—coincide with rising respiratory disease rates (e.g., lung cancer) documented in national and regional health registries. This study aimed to review major air pollutants in PR, their molecular carcinogenic mechanisms (mostly focused on respiratory-related cancers), and the geographic areas impacted significantly. We conducted an extensive literature search utilizing peer-reviewed scientific articles (PubMed and Web of Science), governmental reports (EPA, WHO, State of Global Air), public health registries, (Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry and International Agency for Research on Cancer) and local reports. Data on pollutant type, source, molecular pathways, and carcinogenic properties were extracted and synthesized. Our analysis identified ethylene oxide (EtO), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and PM from industrial sites as key pollutants. The municipalities of Salinas and Vieques, hubs of industrial activity and military exercises, respectively, emerged as critical hotspots where high concentrations of monitored pollutants (e.g., EtO, formaldehyde, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and diesel PM) are associated with a significant prevalence of cancer and respiratory diseases. These agents, known to induce genomic instability and chromosomal aberrations, were correlated with elevated local cancer incidence. Our findings underscore the urgent need for targeted public health interventions and support a multi-pronged strategy that includes: (1) enhanced regulatory oversight of EtO and other hazardous air pollutant emissions; (2) community-based biomonitoring of high-risk populations; and (3) investment in public health infrastructure and a transition to cleaner energy sources. Integrating rigorous environmental science with public health advocacy is essential to strengthen PR’s cancer-control continuum and foster resilience in its most vulnerable communities.

Keywords: carcinogens; hazardous air pollutants (HAPs); health risks; industrial emissions; natural contaminants; Puerto Rico; cancer (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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