Long-term Exposure to Multiple Ambient Air Pollutants and Association With Incident Depression and Anxiety

Air pollution is increasingly recognized as an important environmental risk factor for mental health. However, epidemiologic evidence on long-term exposure to low levels of air pollutants with incident depression and anxiety is still very limited.

To investigate the association of long-term joint exposure to multiple air pollutants with incident depression and anxiety. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective, population-based cohort study used data from the UK Biobank. The participants were recruited between March 13, 2006, and October 1, 2010, and included individuals who had never been diagnosed with depression or anxiety at baseline and had full information on exposure and covariates. Data were analyzed from May 1 to October 10, 2022. Exposures: Annual mean air pollution concentrations of particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) and PM with aerodynamic diameter between 2.5 μm and 10 μm (PM2.5-10). Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitric oxide (NO) were estimated for each participant's residential address using the land use regression model, and joint exposure to air pollution reflected by air pollution score was calculated by principal components analysis. Main Outcomes and Measures: Incidence of diagnosed depression (F32-F33) and anxiety (F40-F48) were ascertained with International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision codes.