Air pollution may increase bone fracture risk: Study

Exposure to air pollution may increase the risk of bone fractures by causing loss of mineral density, a major study has warned.

The study published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal is the first to document high rates of hospital admissions for bone fractures in communities with elevated levels of ambient particulate matter (PM2.5), a component of air pollution.

The risk of bone fracture admissions was greatest in low-income communities, researchers said. “Among the many benefits of clean air, our research suggests, are improved bone health and a way to prevent bone fractures,” said Andrea Baccarelli from Columbia University’s Mailman School of