Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
08:48
Analysis of the Ambient Particulate Matter-induced Chromosomal Aberrations Using an In Vitro System
Published on: December 21, 2016
Airborne contaminant exposure and bone development: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Madeline K M Vera-Colón1,2, Ruth M Meletz1,2, Celina N Phillipson1,2
1Environmental Health Sciences Graduate Program, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, United States.
Summary
Air pollution from particulate matter (PM) and airborne metals poses a significant skeletal health risk. Evidence shows these contaminants increase bone loss and alter bone structure, especially during development.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Bone Biology
Background:
- Airborne contaminants like particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and metals (Cd, Hg, As, Pb) are recognized systemic health hazards.
- The detrimental effects of air pollution on skeletal health (osteotoxicity) are underrecognized.
- Understanding these effects is crucial for public health assessments and policy development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically synthesize human, animal, and in vitro evidence on the relationship between airborne contaminants and skeletal health outcomes.
- To assess the risk of adverse skeletal effects associated with exposure to PM and airborne metals.
- To identify potential mechanisms underlying air pollution-induced bone damage.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search (PubMed, Google Scholar, 2014-2024) following OHAT guidance.
- Screening, data extraction (Covidence), and risk of bias assessment (Quality Assessment and Risk of Bias Tool Repository).
- Random-effects meta-analyses to estimate hazard risks for various skeletal endpoints; GRADE certainty assessment.
Main Results:
- Fifty-three studies met inclusion criteria, revealing increased hazard risks in exposed groups (RRs 7-10).
- Significant associations found for bone loss (RR 7.12) and altered bone microarchitecture (RR 10.28).
- Potential mechanisms include oxidative stress, inflammation, and epigenetic dysregulation.
Conclusions:
- Growing evidence indicates airborne PM and metals adversely affect bone health, particularly during critical developmental periods.
- Low to moderate certainty of evidence due to confounding, exposure misclassification, and heterogeneity.
- Skeletal endpoints should be integrated into health assessments and policies concerning air pollution.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:40Bone Remodeling
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...