Air pollution caused by generators, which began to be widely used after the collapse of the Lebanese economy and electricity system, increased cancer cases by 30 percent.
An estimated 8 diesel generators have been powering Lebanese cities since the country's economic collapse in 2019.
A new study to be published by scientists at the American University of Beirut (AUB) has revealed that the Lebanese capital's over-reliance on diesel generators over the past five years has directly doubled the risk of developing cancer.
"The results are alarming," said atmospheric chemist Najat Saliba, who led the research. In Makassed, one of the most densely populated areas of Beirut, pollution levels caused by fine particles (less than 2,5 micrometers in diameter (PM2,5)) reached 60 micrograms per cubic meter. It was stated that it has quadrupled the level of 3 mcg/m³, which the World Health Organization says people should not be exposed to more than 4-15 days a year.
Since 2017, when AUB last made these measurements, the level of carcinogenic pollutants released into the atmosphere in three regions of Beirut has doubled. Saliba said calculations show that the risk of cancer increases by about 50 percent.
Najat Saliba stated that the increase is directly related to the use of generators and said, “We calculate the cancer risk based on the carcinogenic substances emitted from diesel generators, some of which are classified as category 1a carcinogens.” said.
The generators were used to fill the three-hour gap in the national grid. Then in 2019, one of the world's most devastating collapses since the mid-19th century began in Lebanon. Within a few months, the state power grid was on the verge of collapse and diesel generators came into play
Oncologists in Beirut estimate that overall cancer rates have increased by 2020 percent each year since 30. Although there is no definitive data yet, there is a common observation that patients are getting younger and tumors are more aggressive.