Effects of long-term PM(2.5) exposure on metabolic syndrome among adults and elderly in Guangdong, China

BACKGROUND: We aimed to explore the association between long-term exposure to particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM(2.5)) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components including fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood pressure, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and waist circumference among adults and elderly in south China. METHODS: We surveyed 6628 participants in the chronic disease and risk factors surveillance conducted in 14 districts of Guangdong province in 2015. MetS was defined based on the recommendation by the Joint Interim Societies’ criteria. We used the spatiotemporal land-use regression (LUR) model to estimate the two-year average exposure of ambient air pollutants (PM(2.5), PM(10), SO(2), NO(2), and O(3)) at individual levels. We recorded other covariates by using a structured questionnaire. Generalized linear mixed model was used for analysis. RESULTS: A 10-μg/m(3) increase in the two-year mean PM(2.5) exposure was associated with a higher risk of developing MetS [odd ratio (OR): 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.35], increased risk of fasting blood glucose level. (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.36), and hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.18, 1.58) in the adjusted/unadjusted models (all P < 0.05). We found significant interaction between PM(2.5) and the region, exercise on the high TG levels, and an interaction with the region, age, exercise and grain consumption on FBG (P (interaction) < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term exposure to PM(2.5) was associated with MetS, dyslipidemia and FBG impairment. Efforts should be made for environment improvement to reduce the burden of MetS-associated non-communicable disease. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12940-022-00888-2.