Does air pollution affect osteoporosis? Science finds a connection

Senior woman crossing road in city (Credit: Maskot—Getty Images)

Key takeaways

• Osteoporosis is a bone disease that can lead to a decrease in bone strength and an increase in fractures
• Poor air quality may be a risk factor for bone loss, according to a new study
• The study found that the effects of air pollution were most evident in the lumbar spine

Women over 50 are already at a higher risk of osteoporosis, but a new study from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York has determined that elevated levels of air pollutants can contribute to bone damage in postmenopausal women.