Looking through the particles: a narrative review of air pollution and lung cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objective

Air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter ≤2.5 µm (PM_2.5), has emerged as a significant public health concern with established carcinogenic properties. Lung cancer incidence among patients who have never smoked cigarettes has doubled from 8% to 15% of cases since the 1990s, with stronger correlations observed between poor air quality and cancer development. This review synthesizes epidemiological evidence linking PM_2.5 exposure to lung cancer development, focusing on molecular mechanisms and clinical outcomes in those who have never smoked.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus using search terms related to PM_2.5 epidemiology and lung cancer in never-smokers. Articles were

SUBMITTER: Turner D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12780383 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature