Ozone (O3) is known to induce oxidative stress that influences various cells and tissues, which may further lead to diminished bone mineral density. Nevertheless, few studies have investigated the association between O3 exposure and fractures. Considering the similar growing trends of O3 concentrations and fracture morbidity in recent years, in the present study, we aimed to examine whether O3 exposure is associated with the fracture morbidity.
Using a retrospective cohort study design, we analyzed the records of 8,075 patients with fracture admitted in the warm season to Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from 2014 to 2019 and matched them to the corresponding exposure time and concentration of O3.
The results showed that increased odds of fracture were associated with increased O3 concentrations, presumably because O3 induces oxidative stress (OS) that leads to bone mineral density (BMD) loss.
Our findings suggest that O3 exposure is a risk factor for fractures, providing new evidence of the adverse health effect induced by air pollution. We can conclude that more intensive air pollution control is needed for the prevention of fracture occurrence.