Study Claims Pesticide Residues in Fruits and Vegetables May Be Linked to Lung Cancer Risk

ISLAMABAD: A new study suggests that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may, in some cases, be associated with an increased risk of lung cancer due to pesticide residues present on non-organic produce.
According to a report by Science Daily, researchers found that in the United States, individuals under the age of 50 who do not smoke but consume a relatively high amount of healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables may face a higher risk of developing lung cancer.
The study was led by Dr. Jorge Nwaka, who said the findings indicate that non-smokers who follow a healthier diet compared to the general population showed a surprising increase in lung cancer risk. He described the results as “unexpected” and said they raise important questions for further research.
Dr. Nwaka explained that non-organic fruits, vegetables, and grains may contain higher levels of pesticide residues. He suggested that exposure to these toxic substances could potentially be an underlying, hidden factor contributing to lung cancer in younger individuals.
Researchers emphasized that the findings are preliminary and require further investigation to better understand the possible link between dietary pesticide exposure and cancer risk.