New evidence has revealed ambient fine particulate matter < 2.5 μm (PM2.5) may have endocrine disrupting effect, such as thyroid hormone disorder, while which PM2.5 constituents contributed to the effect was debatable. The study aimed to identify the specific PM2.5 constituents regarding to acute endocrine disrupting effect. 2043 individuals aged over 40 years were included in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region and surrounding areas. Data on air pollutant concentrations and PM2.5 constituents' concentration were collected by fixed monitoring stations, and serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were determined by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze impacts of PM2.5 and its constituents on T3 and T4. PM2.5 had strongest effect on thyroid hormone level at a lag 0-day period, and its specific components interfere with thyroid hormones' homeostasis were NO3- and heavy metals such as Ag, As, Cd, K, Mn, Pb, Sn, and Zn, which were positively associated with T3 and T4. OC and Sb significantly increased T3 level, and similar associations of constituents, such as SO42-, Fe, Ga, with T4 levels were found. Pb, NO3- and Zn exhibited primary positive weight in association with increasing thyroid hormone levels, and each IQR increase corresponded to 3.43 (95 % CI: 2.40-4.46) nmol/L, 4.19 (95 % CI: 2.47-5.92) nmol/L, and 3.35 (95 % CI: 2.33-4.37) nmol/L changed in T4. It suggests that PM2.5 and its specific constituents were associated with thyroid hormone levels, NO3- and heavy metals may be key contributors in the acute endocrine disrupting effect.
Keywords: Fine particulate matter; Health hazards; Heavy metals; Multiple linear regression; Thyroid hormones.
Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.