Conclusions: Long-term exposure to particulate matter was associated with small increases in risk
of incident hypertension, particularly among younger women and the obese.
In conclusion, we found small but statistically
significant associations of 24-month
and cumulative average exposures to PM10,
PM2.5, and PM2.5–10 with incidence of hypertension
among women in the Nurses’ Health
Study living throughout the contiguous
United States. The associations were stronger
when the analyses were restricted to women
< 65 years of age and to the obese. There was
no association between incidence of hypertension
and residential roadway proximity.
Because hypertension is a potential risk factor
for cardiovascular disease with a very high
prevalence, even small changes are important
at the population level.