大気汚染が皮膚の健康問題を招く可能性
PM2.5への曝露と皮膚の発赤との関連性、研究で明らかに
国立台湾師範大学のFu-Yu Chan氏らは、さまざまな年齢群の皮脂産生の役割に焦点を当て、PM2.5への曝露と皮膚の発赤との関連について検討した。解析対象となったのは、20～59歳の年齢群から240人、60歳以上の年齢群から232人、合計472人であった。
その結果、両年齢群においてPM2.5値と発赤範囲との間に有意な正の相関が認められた。PM2.5が1単位上昇するごとに、20～59歳群では発赤範囲が1.70単位、60歳以上群では2.63単位増加した。また、20～59歳群ではポルフィリンと発赤範囲との間に正の相関が見られたが、60歳以上群では有意な相関は認められなかった。
著者らは、「この研究結果から、PM2.5に含まれる脂溶性かつ発がん性の物質とポルフィリンとの相互作用が、皮膚の発赤範囲を増大させ、慢性皮膚疾患や皮膚がんのリスクを高める可能性が示唆された。大気汚染がもたらす健康への広範な影響をさらに評価するため、公衆衛生当局が、皮膚発赤をPM2.5曝露の潜在的な指標として活用し、年1回の皮膚検診を実施することを推奨する」と述べている。
Air Pollution May Contribute to Skin Health Issues
Study reveals link between fine particulate matter exposure and skin redness
WEDNESDAY, March 26, 2025 (HealthDay News) -- Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) appears to be associated with skin redness across age groups, according to a study published online March 12 in PLOS Global Public Health.
Fu-Yu Chan, Ph.D., from National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei, and colleagues examined the relationship between PM2.5 exposure and skin redness, with a focus on the role of sebum production in different age groups. The analysis included 472 participants (240 individuals aged 20 to 59 years; 232 individuals older than 60 years).
The researchers observed a significant positive association between PM2.5 levels and redness area in both age groups. Each unit increase in PM2.5 for the 20- to 59-year-old age group corresponded to a 1.70-unit increase in redness area. For those older than 60 years, the increase was 2.63 units. There was a positive association between porphyrins and redness area among the 20- to 59-year-old age group but no significant association in the group older than 60 years.
"The findings suggest that the interaction between lipophilic and carcinogenic substances in PM2.5 and porphyrins could elevate redness area levels and potentially increase the risk of chronic skin conditions and skin cancer," the authors write. "It is recommended that public health authorities implement annual skin health screenings, using skin redness as a potential indicator of PM2.5 exposure to prompt further evaluation of the broader health impacts of air pollution."