Association of ambient air pollutant PM2.5 with skin redness features: An urban-rural comparison in Taiwan

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Air pollutants have been linked to adverse skin health outcomes in the urban setting, although evidence in the rural context is limited. In Taiwan, the PM2.5 concentration often reaches a dangerous level because of industrial and traffic pollutants, especially in the central and southern areas. Thus, this study aims to examine the associations between PM2.5 and skin redness features in Taiwan's urban and rural communities. METHODS: In May 2018, we recruited the study participants in Taipei's communities (as the urban area) and Taisi Village in Changhua County (as the rural area, where nearby the Sixth Naphtha Cracker Complex Industrial Zone). The inclusion criteria were living in the local community for more than one year, 20 years of age or older, and free of skin and infectious diseases. The skin redness features were measured by the VISIA 7 Imaging System device (Canfield, NJ, USA) and facial image analysis software. We used the Land Use Regression Model to estimate the level of outdoor PM2.5 exposure based on participants' residential addresses. We also collect information on covariates by self-administered questionnaires. We conducted linear regression models to examine the association between air pollution exposure and skin redness features. RESULTS:The study participants included 93 residents of Taipei City and 42 residents of Taisi Village. After controlling for sex, age, ultraviolet exposure risk, sebum secretion level, and skincare behaviors (using a facial cleanser, using sunscreen, and wearing mask habits), the regression model showed that the PM2.5 concentration was significantly associated with skin redness features (b=10.16, 95% CI=1.83 to 19.49) in Taisi village. In contrast, in Taipei's communities, PM2.5 concentration was not associated with skin redness features. CONCLUSIONS:Higher PM2.5 concentration is associated with a higher risk of skin redness features in the rural context in Taiwan but not in the urban area. KEYWORDS: PM2.5, Skin redness features, Rural area, Taiwan