Finland is used as a model in attempts to study the possible association of the incidence of
lung cancer and exposure of population to
fossil fuel combustion products. Unfortunately because of great geographical variation of unknown origin in the incidence of
lung cancer in Finland, detailed studies of the possible role of an individual exposure in the
lung cancer risk are not possible. This background variation in the incidence is much greater than variation carried by any known etiological factor and does not clearly correlate with the degree of urbanization, industrialization, regional use of
fossil fuels, number of motor vehicles or smoking habits. To get more precise information on the possible association of
lung cancer incidence with exposure to
fossil fuel combustion products, occupational studies serve as powerful tools. The definition of population is more reliable and the measurement of exposures can be done more precisely; moreover the management of confounding and modifying factors is more effective than in community studies. So far the studies carried out among the Finnish working population exposed to PAH compounds reveal an association between the
lung cancer risk and exposure to PAHs.