Association of long-term exposure to PM2.5 in workplace with fasting plasma glucose among asymptomatic adults: A multicenter study in North China

Background: The impacts of long-term high exposure to PM(2.5 )in workplace on glucose metabolism in asymptomatic working adults (AWAs) have rarely been explored. Objectives: To assess the relationship between long-term exposure to workplace PM(2.5 )and glucose metabolism in asymptomatic general working adults in heavily polluted regions. Methods: We used the baseline data of the asymptomatic working participants from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Medical Examination Cohort, which recruited adults undergoing medical examinations. A machine learning based spatial-temporal model was used to estimate daily average PM2.5 concentrations in the participants' workplaces. We assessed the association of long-term PM2.5 concentrations (three years prior to the interview) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) using generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMM) with inclusion of potential confounders. Stratified analyses by sex, age, BMI and smoking status, and two pollutant models were further performed. Results: A total of 37,619 individuals were interviewed and 28,865 were included in the analyses. The mean FPG was 5.20 (0.96) mmol/L, and the estimated three-year average concentration of PM2.5 exposure was 69.51 (6.92) mu g/m3. We detected a significant association of long-term exposure to workplace PM(2.5 )and FPG, a 10 mu g/m3 increase in the long-term workplace PM2.5 exposure was associated with 0.075 (95%CI: 0.050-0.100) mmol/L elevated FPG and 25% (OR = 1.25, 95%CI: 1.05-1.50) elevated odds of abnormal fasting glucose metabolism with control of the potential confounding. The detected association between workplace PM(2.5 )and FPG metabolism remained significant in males, individuals aged > 44 years, overweight and/or obese people, both smokers and non-smokers, and when NO2, SO2, O-3, and CO were included in the model. Conclusions: Long-term exposure to workplace PM2.5 was associated with elevated FPG and/or odds of abnormal glucose metabolism among AWAs. Male, middle-aged, overweight and/or obese AWAs were more susceptible to workplace PM2.5 regardless of smoking status.

Automated summary

This study aimed to assess the relationship between long-term exposure to PM2.5 in the workplace and glucose metabolism in asymptomatic working adults. The study found a significant association between long-term workplace PM2.5 exposure and elevated fasting plasma glucose and increased odds of abnormal glucose metabolism. Males, middle-aged individuals, and overweight and/or obese individuals were more susceptible to workplace PM2.5 regardless of smoking status.