Pesticide residues on fruits, vegetables may raise lung cancer risk: Study

Eating fruits and vegetables is widely considered a healthy habit, but a new study suggests that pesticide residues on such foods may increase the risk of lung cancer, particularly among non-smokers, 24NewsHD TV reported on Friday. 

According to a report by ScienceDaily, researchers found that in the United States, individuals under the age of 50 who do not smoke but consume higher amounts of fruits and vegetables could face an elevated risk of lung cancer.

The study, led by Dr George Neavaka, indicated that younger non-smokers with relatively healthier diets may paradoxically be more vulnerable to the disease compared to the general population.

“These surprising findings raise important questions,” the lead researcher said, pointing to the need for further investigation.

Researchers noted that non-organic fruits, vegetables, and grains may contain higher levels of pesticide residues, suggesting that these toxic substances could represent a hidden factor contributing to cancer risk among younger individuals.