from eClinicalMedicine
Air pollution is linked to a variety of health
issues. New research from Columbia
University Mailman School of Public Health
focuses on bone loss from osteoporosis in
postmenopausal women. Women more
than men are susceptible to osteoporosis—
with nearly one-half of women over fifty
experiencing fractures because of it. The
study, appearing in eClinicalMedicine,
identified nitrogen oxide as a major
contributor to bone damage. It further
identifies the spine as most susceptible to
damage. Car and truck exhaust are a major
source of nitrogen oxide. Researchers
suggest improvements in air pollution,
particularly nitrogen oxides, will reduce
bone damage in postmenopausal women,
and thus preventing bone fractures.