How many new cases of childhood diagnosed in the UK each year? [originaltext]

The development of cancer in childhood is strongly linked to pollution from engine exhausts, research claims. Professor George Knox, from the University of Birmingham, said youngsters were at higher risk of cancer if they lived near emissions hotspots, such as transport depots. But experts said the public should not be alarmed by the claims and stressed much more research was needed to show what level of exposure posed a threat. Prof. Knox looked at data on 22,500 children who died from cancer in Britain between 1955 and 1980, taking into account where they lived and nearby emissions hotspots for specific chemicals. He said that when combined with living close to an emissions source, such as a bus or coach Station, a child had a 12 times higher risk of dying from cancer than other youngsters. Prof. Knox concluded: "Childhood cancers are strongly determined by pre-natal or early post-natal exposures to oil based combustion gases, especially from engine exhausts. "About 1,500 new cases of childhood cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK, accounting for about 300 deaths annually.