Effect of long-term particulate matter exposure on Parkinson's risk

Environmental pollution is a critical predisposing factor underlying neurodegenerative diseases, but the association between particulate matter (PM) exposure and Parkinson's disease (PD) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between long-term PM2.5/PM10 exposure and PD risk. We searched the PubMed, Ovid Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science citation databases to select studies about the relationship between long-term PM exposure and PD risk. The association was assessed using meta-analysis, and subgroup analysis was carried out on the basis of the types of PM (PM2.5 and PM10). Among the 611 articles identified from the databases, we selected six articles, including three cohort studies and three case-control studies, which collectively involved 10,077,029 participants. With every 10 μg/m³ increment, the relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were 1.03 (0.98, 1.07), 1.21 (0.95, 1.54), and 1.01 (0.97, 1.05) for the total PM, PM2.5, and PM10, respectively. In the current study, no statistically substantial association was observed between long-term PM2.5/PM10 exposure and PD incidence. However, further large-scale prospective studies are needed to determine the association.