The skin is no barrier to mixtures: Air pollutant mixtures and reported psoriasis or eczema in the Personalized Environment and Genes Study (PEGS)

Abstract

Background Autoimmune (AI) diseases appear to be a product of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. Disruption of the skin barrier causes exacerbation of psoriasis/eczema. Oxidative stress is a mechanistic pathway for pathogenesis of the disease and is also a primary mechanism for the detrimental effects of air pollution. Methods We evaluated the association between autoimmune skin diseases (psoriasis or eczema) and air pollutant mixtures in 9060 subjects from the Personalized Environment and Genes Study (PEGS) cohort. Pollutant exposure data on six criteria air pollutants are publicly available from the Center for Air, Climate, and Energy Solutions and the Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group. For increased spatial resolution, we included spatially cumulative exposure to volatile organic compounds from sites in the United States Environmental Protection Agency Toxic Release Inventory and the density of major roads within a 5 km radius of a participant’s address from the United States Geological Survey. We applied logistic regression with quantile g-computation, adjusting for age, sex, diagnosis with an autoimmune disease in family or self, and smoking history to evaluate the relationship between self-reported diagnosis of an AI skin condition and air pollution mixtures. Results Only one air pollution variable, sulfate, was significant individually (OR = 1.06, p = 3.99E−2); however, the conditional odds ratio for the combined mixture components of PM2.5 (black carbon, sulfate, sea salt, and soil), CO, SO2, benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene is 1.10 (p-value = 5.4E−3). Significance While the etiology of autoimmune skin disorders is not clear, this study provides evidence that air pollutants are associated with an increased prevalence of these disorders. The results provide further evidence of potential health impacts of air pollution exposures on life-altering diseases. Significance and impact statement The impact of air pollution on non-pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases is understudied and under-reported. We find that air pollution significantly increased the odds of psoriasis or eczema in our cohort and the magnitude is comparable to the risk associated with smoking exposure. Autoimmune diseases like psoriasis and eczema are likely impacted by air pollution, particularly complex mixtures and our study underscores the importance of quantifying air pollution-associated risks in autoimmune disease.

Causal association between air pollution and autoimmune diseases: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

“…Another study has suggested that air pollution has pro-inflammatory effects on multiple sclerosis disease ( 43 ) and increases the risk of multiple sclerosis disease relapse ( 44 , 45 ). Furthermore, there is also research indicating that exposure to PM and NO x may be associated with an increased risk of cancer ( 46 ), such as lung cancer ( 47 ). Additionally, the potential impact of other air pollutants ( 48 ) on ADs, including but not limited to ozone, kitchen fumes, nicotine, aldehydes, methane, and chlorofluorocarbons, should not be overlooked.…”

Protective Potential of a Botanical-Based Supplement Ingredient against the Impact of Environmental Pollution on Cutaneous and Cardiopulmonary Systems: Preclinical Study

“…Despite the protective role of human skin against pollution, prolonged and repetitive exposure results in accelerated skin aging [3,4], inflammatory or allergic skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and eczema [5], psoriasis [6,7], uneven skin pigmentation [8,9], and acne [10,11]. The most deleterious consequence of over-exposure to pollution is skin cancer [12,13].…”