Exposure to air pollution is a growing concern for public health, but a study from Wayne State University is shedding new light on its link to head and neck cancers.

In collaboration with Johns Hopkins University and Mass General Brigham, Wayne State researchers found the pollution known as fine particulate matter — or PM 2.5 — may increase the risk of cancers in the upper respiratory system. It’s the tiny form of pollutants found in smoke, car exhaust, and industrial emissions.

Study coauthor Dr. John Cramer is a professor of head and neck surgery at Wayne State and told us more.

“Head and neck is actually very similar to lung cancer,” Cramer said. “These are cancers that typically occur in the lining of the mouth, the throat, or the voice box.”

According to the report, research on air pollution’s effects on the lungs and heart is extensive, but studies linking it to head and neck cancers are limited.