Long-term effects of ambient PM2.5 constituents on metabolic syndrome in Chinese children and adolescents

Jing Li; Yi Song; Liuhua Shi; Jun Jiang; Xiaoyu Wan; Yaqi Wang; Yinghua Ma; Yanhui Dong; Zhiyong Zou; Jun Ma

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2023.115238

Long-term effects of ambient PM_2.5 constituents on metabolic syndrome in Chinese children and adolescents

Environ Res. 2023 Mar 1:220:115238. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115238. Epub 2023 Jan 6.

Authors

Jing Li¹, Yi Song¹, Liuhua Shi², Jun Jiang¹, Xiaoyu Wan¹, Yaqi Wang¹, Yinghua Ma¹, Yanhui Dong³, Zhiyong Zou⁴, Jun Ma¹

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
² Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
³ Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China. Electronic address: dongyanhui@bjmu.edu.cn.
⁴ Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China. Electronic address: harveyzou2002@bjmu.edu.cn.

PMID: 36621550
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115238

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is considered a main public health issue as it remarkably adds the risk of cardiovascular disease, leading to a heavy burden of disease. There is growing evidence linking fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) exposure to MetS. However, the influences of PM_2.5 constituents, especially in children and adolescents, remain unclear. Our study was according to a national analysis among Chinese children and adolescents to examine the associations between long-term exposure to PM_2.5 main constituents and MetS. A total of 10,066 children and adolescents aged 10-18 years were recruited in 7 provinces in China, with blood tests, health exams, and questionnaire surveys. We estimated long-term exposures to PM_2.5 mass and its five constituents, containing black carbon (BC), organic matter (OM), inorganic nitrate (NO₃^-), sulfate (SO₄^2-), and soil particles (SOIL) from multi-source data fusion models. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used with the adjustment of a variety of covariates. In the surveyed populations, 2.9% were classified as MetS. From the single-pollutant models, we discovered that long-term exposures to PM_2.5 mass, BC, OM, NO₃^-, as well as SO₄^2-, were significantly associated with the prevalence of MetS, with odds ratios (ORs) per 1 μg/m³ that were 1.02 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.03) for PM_2.5 mass, 1.24 (95% CI: 1.14, 1.35) for BC, 1.07 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.11) for OM, 1.09 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.13) for NO₃^-, and 1.14 (95% CI:1.04, 1.24) for SO₄^2-. The influence of BC on the prevalence of MetS was robust in both the multi-pollutant model and the PM_2.5-constituent joint model. The paper indicates long-term exposure to PM_2.5 mass and specific PM_2.5 constituents, particularly for BC, was significantly associated with a higher MetS prevalence among children and adolescents in China. Our results highlight the significance of establishing further regulations on PM_2.5 constituents.

Keywords: Children and adolescents; Cross-sectional study; Metabolic syndrome; PM2.5 constituents.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Air Pollutants* / analysis
Air Pollutants* / toxicity
Air Pollution* / analysis
Child
China / epidemiology
East Asian People
Environmental Exposure / analysis
Environmental Pollutants*
Humans
Metabolic Syndrome* / chemically induced
Metabolic Syndrome* / epidemiology
Particulate Matter / analysis
Particulate Matter / toxicity
Soot

Substances

Air Pollutants
Particulate Matter
Environmental Pollutants
Soot