Study Finds Association Between Air Pollution and Risk of Bone Loss

Bone mass loss is a condition known as osteopenia. Osteopenia can progress to osteoporosis, which is characterized by reduced bone mineral density, weakness of the bone, and an increased rate of bone loss. A recent study has found that exposure to air pollution may increase the risk of low bone mineral density.

Data used in the study came from the Andhra Pradesh Children and Parents Study cohort, which included 3,717 participants with an average age of 37. The researchers measured bone density, bone area, and bone mass at the lumbar spine and the left hip. They used a model to estimate outdoor exposure to air pollution caused by fine particulate matter and black carbon.

The researchers found that exposure to both fine particulate matter and black carbon were associated with lower bone mineral density in both the spine and hip. Greater reductions were seen in the spine compared to the hip.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health. It was published on January 3, 2020 in the journal Jama Network Open.