NFKB1 and lung disorder: In summary, this study uncovered that knockdown of circ_0038467 mitigated PM2.5-induced HBE cells death and inflammation via regulating miR-138-1-3p/NF-κB pathway, providing new insights into the molecular toxicological mechanisms underlying the PM2.5 and potential therapeutic strategies for future clinic intervention in PM2.5-induced lung disorders.