Work

Association between wildfire-related PM2.5 and epigenetic aging: A twin and family study in Australia

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Wildfire-related PM 2.5 has been associated with various adverse health outcomes, but its association with epigenetic aging remains unclear. This study examined the association between wildfire-related PM 2.5 exposure and epigenetic aging using DNA methylation data from a twin and family study. With a within-sibship analysis, we found that each 1 µg/m 3 increase in annual wildfire-related PM 2.5 was associated with a 0.25-year (95 % CI: 0.04, 0.47) increase in GrimAge1 acceleration and a 0.36-year (95 % CI: 0.12, 0.59) increase in GrimAge2 acceleration. Subgroup analyses found that participants aged ≥ 60 years, those with a history of current or former smoking and alcohol consumption, and those living in rural regions exhibited more pronounced epigenetic age acceleration. These findings suggest that wildfire smoke could accelerate biological aging, particularly in vulnerable populations, posing a significant challenge to healthy aging. • Wildfire-related PM 2.5 was linked to a 0.25-year increase in GrimAge1 acceleration. • Wildfire-related PM 2.5 was linked to a 0.36-year increase in GrimAge2 acceleration. • Genetic and environmental confounding minimized through within-sibship analysis. • Strongest accusations observed in the first year after exposure.

Source: Journal of Hazardous Materials

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.136486