Lung cancer cases among non-smokers are on the rise globally, and research suggests air pollution could be playing a significant role. A recent genome study found strong associations between outdoor smog and soot exposure and DNA mutations linked to lung cancer. The study of 871 individuals from four continents revealed that those living in polluted areas had more genetic mutations than smokers.
Exposure to fine particulate matter in the air was strongly linked to the same types of DNA mutations seen in smokers, including TP53 and EGFR mutations. Non-smokers with higher air pollution exposure were nearly four times more likely to have a specific DNA mutation called SBS4, which is typically associated with smoking.
The study also found that air pollution was less effective at causing genetic mutations than secondhand smoke, although it still poses a significant risk. Scientists believe that breathing polluted air may be comparable to smoking a pack of cigarettes per day, but more research is needed to confirm this.
While the exact mechanisms behind air pollution’s link to lung cancer are unclear, researchers hope to expand their study to include a more diverse global cohort and investigate new mutational drivers. The findings contribute to evidence suggesting that air pollution may be contributing to the growing problem of lung cancer in non-smokers worldwide.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/air-pollution-strongly-associated-with-dna-mutations-tied-to-lung-cancer