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The IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) has declared that air pollution is a carcinogen, alongside known dangers such as asbestos, tobacco and ultraviolet radiation. The decision came after a consultation by an expert panel organized by IARC, the cancer agency of the World Health Organization, which is based in Lyon, France. Mr Kurt Straif, Head of the IARC department said air pollution is considered to be the most important environmental carcinogen, more so than passive smoking. IARC had previously deemed some of the components in air pollution such as diesel fumes to be carcinogens, but this is the first time it has classified air pollution in its entirety as cancer causing.