Exposure to airborne PM<sub>2.5</sub> chemical exposome increases heart rate of middle- and old-aged populations

Abstract

<p>Previous studies have rarely focused on the effects of industrial chemicals on heart rate. There is also a lack of epidemiological investigations to elucidate the mixture effects of complex components of fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) on cardiovascular health and identify the key toxic components. Here, a population health-oriented methodology is established to quantify mixed effects of airborne PM<sub>2.5</sub> chemical exposome and identify key components. This methodology was applied to a cross-sectional study to elucidate the mixture effect of industrial chemical components of PM<sub>2.5</sub> on the heart rate of middle- and old-aged populations (including 373 people from seven Chinese cities) and further identify key chemical components for the effect. Exposure to seven groups of industrial chemicals, including phthalate esters (PAEs), adipate esters (AEs), benzothiazoles and benzotriazoles (BTHs & BTRs), benzophenones and benzoates (BZPs & BZAs), bisphenols (BPs), alkyl organophosphate esters (alkyl-OPEs) and aryl organophosphate esters (aryl-OPEs), was observed to significantly increase the heart rate of study participants. Seven chemicals, including dimethyl isophthalate (DMiP), di-iso-nonyl adipate (DiNA), 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-di-tert-pentylphenol (UV-328), ethyl-4-aminobenzoate (EAB), bisphenol F (BPF), triethyl phosphate (TEP) and tricresyl phosphate (TCrP), were identified as the key components driving the adverse effect on heart rate. Our study highlights the cardiovascular hazards of airborne PM<sub>2.5</sub> chemical exposome.</p>