Few studies have explored the potential relationship between PM2.5 exposure and lung cancer incidence. Viniknor et al from US EPA using an ecologic study design, examined the county-level associations between modeled PM2.5 concentrations and lung cancer incidence and mortality in North Carolina. Although variability is high, which partly reflects the fact that there are other etiologic agents that influence lung
cancer incidence and mortality besides PM2.5, there is a positive trend observed between PM2.5 concentration and lung cancer incidence and mortality rates. This provides evidence to suggest that PM2.5 concentrations are associated with lung cancer incidence and mortality rates.