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Gradual Increase in Lung Cancer Risk Due to Particulate Matter Exposure in Patients With Pulmonary Function
Jongin Lee1,2, Joon Young Choi3, Jeong Uk Lim4
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Journal of Korean Medical Science
|November 4, 2025
Summary
Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) significantly increases lung cancer risk, especially in individuals with existing obstructive lung function. This highlights PM2.5 as a carcinogenic risk factor, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pulmonology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Lung cancer is a major public health issue.
- Environmental factors like PM2.5 are implicated in lung cancer development.
- Understanding the interaction between PM2.5 and lung function is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cumulative PM2.5 exposure and lung cancer risk.
- To examine the interaction effect of PM2.5 exposure and lung function impairment on lung cancer risk.
- To analyze this relationship in a large Korean population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2020) linked with national cancer registry data.
- Included 43,973 participants (386 lung cancer cases) with spirometry data.
- Quantified PM2.5 exposure via geocoded addresses and employed logistic regression with interaction terms.
Main Results:
- Higher PM2.5 exposure correlated with increased lung cancer risk (ORs 1.41-1.68 across quartiles).
- Significant interaction between PM2.5 and obstructive lung function elevated cancer risk.
- Highest PM2.5 quartile showed ORs of 2.74 for obstruction and 3.43 for preserved ratio impaired spirometry.
Conclusions:
- PM2.5 exposure poses a carcinogenic risk.
- Individuals with obstructive lung function impairments are particularly vulnerable to PM2.5-related lung cancer.
- This study underscores the importance of air quality in lung cancer prevention.
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