Eczema, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, affects roughly 10% of people in the United States. Evidence suggests that environmental factors, including air pollution, influence the risk of developing eczema. A recent study found that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a key component of ambient air pollution, more than doubles the risk of eczema.

Researchers drew on data from adults enrolled in the All of Us Research Program. They compared people with eczema to those without, linking their zip codes to average annual PM2.5 concentrations. Then, they analyzed the relationship between PM2.5 levels and eczema while adjusting for factors like demographics, smoking, and other skin conditions.

They found that people with eczema were exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 than those without eczema. People with eczema lived in areas with about 2% higher PM2.5 concentrations, and the risk of eczema increased considerably with higher pollution levels. The odds of having eczema were more than twice as high (158%) in areas with the highest PM2.5 concentrations, even after accounting for smoking and other health conditions.

These findings suggest that air pollution contributes to the development of eczema. Given that PM2.5 can infiltrate the skin and contribute to skin barrier dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation, addressing air pollution could be a key strategy for preventing and managing eczema. Sulforaphane, a bioactive compound derived from broccoli, promotes the excretion of air pollutants. Learn more in this clip featuring Dr. Jed Fahey.