Fine particulate matter air pollution linked to increased ANA positivity

A Canadian data analysis revealed a dose-dependent association between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and increased prevalence of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) in the general population, suggesting a link between air pollution and systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). Ambient air pollution has long been suspected to contribute to autoimmune diseases, however, robust serological evidence remained limited. In the Ontario Health Study, one of Canada’s largest population health databases, Dr Sasha Bernatsky (Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Canada) and colleagues explored the relationship between PM2.5 exposure and ANA positivity, a recognised biomarker of SARDs [1]. The researchers analysed data from 3,548 randomly selected serum samples collected between 2010–2013. ANA titres were determined by indirect immunofluorescence, and 5-year average ambient PM2.5 levels were assigned to participants ...

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Posted on 18 June 20258 August 2025