--- title: "Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution is a risk factor for…" description: "Long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases, progressing to multimorbidity, and all-cause mortality,…" url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/airpollution.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/airpollution.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/airpollution.html" type: "study" study_key: "airpollution" journal: "EBioMedicine" year: 2022 pmid: "36174399" doi: "10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104282" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution is a risk factor for trajectory of cardiometabolic multimorbidity: A prospective study in the UK Biobank. [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution is a risk… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/airpollution.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/airpollution ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | EBioMedicine | | Year | 2022 | | PMID | [36174399](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36174399/) | | DOI | [10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104282](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104282) | | Study key | airpollution | ## Takeaway Long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases, progressing to multimorbidity, and all-cause mortality, especially in certain vulnerable groups. ## The question Does long-term exposure to ambient air pollution affect the onset, progression, and prognosis of cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM)? ## Hypothesis The study aims to investigate the association between air pollution and the trajectory of CMM, as this has not been previously studied. ## Methods This prospective analysis used data from the UK Biobank cohort, including 410,494 middle- and old-age participants. CMM was defined as the presence of at least two cardiometabolic diseases (type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, or stroke). A multi-state model was used to analyze the association between air pollution and the trajectory of CMM. ## Results During a median follow-up of 12.0 years, 56,877 participants developed a first cardiometabolic disease (FCMD), 8,616 developed CMM, and 22,423 died. Per interquartile range increase of fine particulate matter, the risks of transitioning from baseline to FCMD, FCMD to CMM, and baseline to all-cause mortality increased by 3%, 3%, and 5% respectively. The risk of transitioning from FCMD to all-cause mortality increased by 2%. For nitrogen dioxide, the corresponding increases were 3%, 6%, 4%, and 6%. Older participants, males, and individuals with excessive alcohol drinking and lower economic levels were more susceptible to these risks. ## Conclusion Exposure to air pollution may play a significant role in nearly all transition phases of CMM development. Clean air could serve as an upstream strategy to reduce both the initiation and progression of CMM, particularly in vulnerable populations. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study. ## Verbatim from the abstract > Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution was associated with the onset and progression of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in this prospective UK Biobank study. ## Increased Risk of Cardiometabolic Transitions per IQR Increase in Air Pollutants | Measure | Risk Increase (%) | | --- | --- | | Baseline to FCMD (PM) | 3 | | FCMD to CMM (PM) | 3 | | Baseline to Mortality (PM) | 5 | | FCMD to Mortality (PM) | 2 | | Baseline to FCMD (NO2) | 3 | | FCMD to CMM (NO2) | 6 | | Baseline to Mortality (NO2) | 4 | | FCMD to Mortality (NO2) | 6 | *Percentage increase in risk for various cardiometabolic transitions per interquartile range increase in fine particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Air Purification | Moderate evidence | [AllerAir Deep-Bed Carbon Purifier](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/41.md) | ## Reference 1. **Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution is a risk factor for trajectory of cardiometabolic multimorbidity: A prospective study in the UK Biobank.** EBioMedicine 2022 · [PMID 36174399](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36174399/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104282](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104282) > Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution was associated with the onset and progression of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in this prospective UK Biobank study. ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/airpollution.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/airpollution.html","name":"Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution is a risk factor for trajectory of cardiometabolic…","description":"Long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases, progressing to multimorbidity, and all-cause mortality,…","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/airpollution.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution is a risk…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/airpollution.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/airpollution.html#study","name":"Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution is a risk factor for trajectory of cardiometabolic multimorbidity: A prospective study in the UK Biobank.","headline":"Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution is a risk factor for trajectory of cardiometabolic…","datePublished":"2022","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"EBioMedicine"},"identifier":"PMID:36174399","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36174399/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104282","abstract":"Long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases, progressing to multimorbidity, and all-cause mortality, especially in certain vulnerable groups."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [AllerAir Deep-Bed Carbon Purifier](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/41.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Long-term exposure to air pollution and mortality in Scotland: a register-based…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x17.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).