A recent global study has established a concerning connection between air pollution and various types of cancer, identifying fine particulate matter (PM2.5) as a significant contributor among the pollutants examined. Conducted by researchers from two environmental research institutes in China and Boston University, USA, and published in the journal Nature, the analysis highlighted that exposure to PM2.5 was associated with 8.82 million cancer cases worldwide from 2000 to 2020.

The research underscores that PM2.5, which can easily infiltrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream, poses risks not just for respiratory cancers, but also for cancers affecting the reproductive and endocrine systems. This study is crucial given the global prevalence of air pollution and its health impacts.

Data from 10.9 crore cancer cases across 952 locations were analysed, focusing on long-term exposure to PM2.5, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide. It was discovered that with every additional 10 micrograms per cubic metre of PM2.5, the risk of developing cancer increased by 16 per cent. Notably, the study estimated that approximately 17.9 per cent of tracheal, bronchial, and lung cancers could potentially be prevented with the elimination of PM2.5 exposure.

Impact of PM2.5 Pollution in India

These findings present a serious concern for India, where major urban areas frequently experience hazardous air quality, primarily attributed to high levels of PM2.5. The IQAir World Air Quality Report 2023 indicates that nine out of the ten most polluted cities globally are located in India, raising urgent health implications.

Oncologists and pulmonologists in India have noted a national shift in lung cancer demographics; this disease, once thought to predominantly affect older male smokers, is now increasingly being diagnosed in women and non-smokers. According to recent statistics from the World Health Organisation International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO-IARC), lung cancer is now the leading cancer killer in the country, surpassing all other types in mortality rates.

The Globocan 2024 report documented 1,12,659 new cases of lung cancer in India, indicating its position as the third most prevalent type of cancer, with 98,687 associated deaths. A considerable portion of these cancers is linked to air pollution, particularly PM2.5, which may drive mechanisms like oxidative stress, DNA damage, and chronic inflammation that are conducive to cancer development.

Broader Implications of Air Pollution

The study has expanded the understanding of how air pollution impacts health, suggesting associations with various cancers, including thyroid, breast, kidney, bladder, oesophagus, and colorectal cancers. Research indicates that women tend to experience a higher burden and risk for many of the malignancies linked to PM2.5 exposure.

PM2.5 is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, confirming its connection to lung cancer. The latest research further quantifies the likelihood of PM2.5 contributing to cancers involving multiple organ systems, raising additional health concerns.

In India, the average annual PM2.5 concentration was recorded at 48.9 grams in 2025, nearly ten times higher than the World Health Organisation’s annual guideline of 5 grams. The Delhi-NCR region exemplifies this crisis, having observed no days of “good” air quality in one assessment during 2025, while a study showed that pollution levels exceeded WHO guidelines on 99 per cent of days. This highlights the persistent nature of air pollution, impacting residents year-round.

Efforts are being made to address these concerns, as seen with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, which has initiated a study to investigate whether long-term exposure to PM2.5 contributes to lung cancer, particularly among non-smokers. This research is crucial in understanding the rising incidence of non-smoking lung cancer patients in the country.

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