Air Pollution Linked to Increased Risk of Autoimmune Diseases: New Study Highlights HSE Implications

A recent study has revealed that air pollution may play a significant role in increasing individuals’ risk of developing autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

According to a report by the Mehr News Agency citing MedicineNet, Dr. Sasha Bernatsky, lead researcher and professor of medicine at McGill University in Canada, stated in a news release: “These findings set us on a new path to understanding how air pollution can drive immune‑system changes linked to autoimmune diseases.”

For the study, researchers collected blood samples from more than 3,500 residents of Ontario, Canada, and examined their levels of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs).

Antinuclear antibodies are produced by the immune system as part of an autoimmune disorder. These antibodies mistakenly target the body’s own cells and tissues.

The team compared the blood‑test results with the average level of particulate‑matter pollution exposure for each participant, based on air‑pollution tracking data for their home addresses.

The study found that individuals with the highest exposure to air pollution were 46% to 54% more likely to have elevated levels of antinuclear antibodies.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fine particulate pollution includes particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or smaller. For comparison, a human hair is about 50–70 microns wide.

Bernatsky noted: “These fine particles in air pollution are small enough to enter the bloodstream and potentially affect the entire body.”

source: https://www.mehrnews.com/