Air pollution may be silently fueling lung cancer in people who have never smoked. A landmark study led by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), published in Nature, reveals how fine particulate matter from traffic and industrial sources is linked to key genetic changes in lung tumors of nonsmokers.
Study Overview
Researchers from the NIH National Cancer Institute and the University of California San Diego analyzed whole-genome data from 871 nonsmoking patients across 28 regions worldwide as part of the Sherlock-Lung study. This represents the largest investigation of its kind, shedding light on the environmental drivers of lung cancer beyond tobacco use.
Key Genetic Insights
The team found that exposure to fine particulate air pollution correlates with cancer-driving mutations, including alterations in the TP53 gene and other mutational signatures typically tied to smoking. They also discovered shorter telomeres—DNA markers at the ends of chromosomes whose shrinking is linked to aging and accelerated tumor growth.
Why It Matters
Lung cancer among nonsmokers now accounts for up to 25 percent of cases globally. By mapping how air pollution shapes the mutational landscape of tumors, this research underscores the urgent need for stronger environmental protections to reduce cancer risk.
Looking Ahead
As communities worldwide grapple with air quality challenges, these findings make a clear case for policies that cut emissions and improve public health. Cleaner air not only means fewer respiratory issues but could also be a key step toward preventing cancer in nonsmoking populations.
What steps can your city take to clear the air and protect lung health? Share your ideas and join the conversation.
Reference(s):
Study links air pollution to more lung cancer mutations in nonsmokers
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