Exposure to more air pollution may increase incident fracture risk among older adults

$Exposure to more air pollution may increase incident fracture risk among older adults$

July 24, 2023

3 min read

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Key takeaways:

Exposure to small air particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and other nitrogen oxides is linked to a higher risk for incident fractures.
Adults exposed to more air pollution had lower serum 25-(OH)D levels.

Middle-aged and older adults at higher risk for fractures due to air pollution

Middle-aged and older adults who live in areas with greater air pollution may have a higher risk for incident fractures, according to a study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

In an analysis of data from the UK Biobank, adults who sustained an incident fracture were living in areas of the U.K. with greater levels of air particulate matter of less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxides compared with adults who did not have a fracture. Additionally, the risk for an incident fracture climbed with increasing exposure to air pollution.