Impact of Ambient Particulate Matters on Lung Carcinogenesis

Ambient particulate matters (PMs) are the most dreaded pollutants prevailing in the environment. PMs are not single entities but a conglomeration of several components, some of which are carcinogenic in nature. PMs are responsible for innumerable human diseases, and out of them, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, including lung carcinogenesis, are the major causes of morbidity and premature mortality in the exposed populations. Reduced ambient air quality is a serious public health concern, especially in East and Southeast Asian countries. PMs may affect the lung environment by inducing mutations in several genes which often leads to cell proliferation, reduced apoptosis of affected cells, and increases the expression of stemness markers, leading to epithelial–mesenchymal transition and metastasis. With the alarming rise of the ambient PM concentration in the environment, women and children in the rural areas and elderly individuals in the urban areas are at a major risk of developing several pulmonary diseases, including lung cancer. Therefore, mass awareness, implementation of pollution abatement strategies, and enforcement of strict government policies for curbing ambient PM emissions from anthropogenic sources are urgently needed.