Abstract

Vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining human health. Its deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of several chronic diseases. Sun exposure, particularly UV-B radiation, accounts for greater than 90% of vitamin D production in humans. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between dust and UV index and its effect on vitamin D concentrations. Data on the UV index and the number of dusty days measured at ≤1000 m, ≤3000 m, and ≤5000 m altitudes in the period January 2017 to June 2022 were collected. Dust particles (PM2.5 and PM10) and vitamin D values were also gathered. No correlation was observed between UV index and PM2.5 (r = −0.013, p = 0.947) and between UV index and PM10 (r = 0.251, p = 0.165) due to numerous factors, such as unavailable data on UV-B and particle concentrations at a maximum of 1000 m rather than 20 to 30 km. A positive correlation was observed between the number of dusty days at all altitudes and PM10 (p < 0.001), whereas no correlation was found between the number of dusty days at all altitudes and PM2.5. A positive correlation was found between vitamin D-deficient patients and PM2.5 (r = 0.529, p = 0.005) and between vitamin D-deficient patients and PM10 (r = 0.399, p = 0.024). The PM 2.5 and PM10 concentrations exceeded both the WHO guidelines and the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended levels during most months of the study period. The average range of the PM2.5/PM10 ratio was low (0.24–0.35), indicating dust pollution. The results indicate a strong relationship between PM10 dust particles and the number of vitamin D-deficient patients, indicating high levels of dust air pollution, which might have an influence on the high levels of vitamin D deficiency in Bahrain. This study hypothesized that dust events may reduce UV-B levels, leading to vitamin D deficiency (VDD). However, the results of the study supported this hypothesis only partially due to several limitations, including the unavailability of data on UV-B, dusty days, and dust particles (PM2.5 and PM10) at higher altitudes (20–30 Km).

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