Exploring the relationship between air pollution and telomere length: Baseline findings from a comprehensive ambispective cohort study

Abstract

Background

Telomere length is a biomarker of cellular aging, influenced by various environmental and lifestyle factors. Air pollution is a known environmental stressor that may impact telomere dynamics. This study aimed to investigate the effect of age, lifetime exposure to air pollution, inflammatory parameters and selected lifestyle factors on telomere length.

Methods

The study included 356 participants aged 35–65 living in two regions with varying pollution. Telomere length was measured using qPCR. Individual lifetime exposures to PM₁₀, PM_2.5, NO₂, benzo(a)pyrene and benzene were calculated based on historical air quality data. Statistical analysis of age, pollution exposure, inflammatory parameters, and lifestyle factors on telomere length was performed using logistic regression and generalized linear models, with odds ratios calculated.

Results

Unexpectedly, higher air pollutants lifetime exposures were associated with longer telomeres, particularly for PM₁₀ 51–55 μg/m³ (OR = 5.67, p < 0.001), PM_2.5 42–45 μg/m³ (OR = 6.56, p < 0.001), B(a)P 6.9–8.3 ng/m³ (OR = 5.25, p = 0.002), NO₂ 26–27 μg/m³ (OR = 5.22, p = 0.001) and benzene 2.45–2.75 μg/m³ (OR = 6.13, p < 0.001). Age significantly affected telomere length, with older individuals having shorter telomeres. Socioeconomic factors such as college education were positively associated with longer telomeres, while lifestyle factors did not show significant associations. IL-8 was identified as a significant inflammatory marker negatively associated with very long telomeres.

Conclusion

These baseline findings bring new perspective to the relationship between air pollution and telomere length. Contrary to traditional views, the results suggest potential adaptive responses, highlighting the need for further longitudinal research to explore telomere dynamics over time in conjunction with other factors.