23 Feb 2023 • According to a study, postmenopausal women who are exposed to higher levels of air pollutants such as nitrous oxides are more likely to suffer from bone damage. Nitrous oxides (NO) are twice as harmful to the lumbar spine as compared to normal ageing, according to research from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in the US. Postmenopausal women are at higher risk, with 1 in 2 women over the age of 50 suffering a bone fracture due to osteoporosis,  The researchers analyzed data collected from the Women's Health Initiative study, which included 161,808 (more than 1.6 lakh) postmenopausal women from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. The magnitude of the effects of nitrogen oxides on lumbar spine BMD would amount to 1.22 per cent annual reductions — nearly double the annual effects of age on any of the anatomical sites evaluated, the researchers said. These effects are thought to be brought on by oxidative damage to bone cells, among other processes. "Our data demonstrate that, regardless of socioeconomic or demographic characteristics, poor air quality may be a risk factor for bone loss. For the first time, we have proof that certain pollutants, like nitrogen oxides, greatly contribute to bone deterioration and that the lumbar spine is one of the most vulnerable places for this deterioration " said Diddier Prada, a research scientist associate at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health.

Source: The Week | Read full story