Does ambient particulate matter 1 increase the risk of gastric cancer in the northwest of China?

Gastric cancer (GC) remains a significant health concern in Gansu province, China, with morbidity and mortality rates surpassing national averages. Despite the recognized health risks associated with ambient particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <1 μm (PM₁), the relationship between PM₁ exposure and GC incidence has not been extensively studied. Data on GC cases from 2013 to 2021 were gathered from 262 hospitals in Gansu, China. Concurrently, data on the normalized vegetation index (NDVI), gross domestic product (GDP), drinking and smoking behavioral index (DSBI), PM₁, PM_2.5, and PM_2.5-1 were collected. Utilizing a Bayesian conditional autoregressive (CAR) combined generalized linear model (GLM) with quasi-Poisson regression, we evaluated the impact of PM₁, PM_2.5, PM_2.5-1, NDVI, DSBI, and GDP on GC morbidity while adjusting for potential confounders. Our analysis indicated that exposure to PM₁ (μg/m³) is significantly positively correlated with GC incidence in regions with an overall age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) >40 (relative risks [RR]: 1.023, 95% confidence intervals [CI, 1.007, 1.039]), male ASIR >50 (RR: 1.014, 95% CI [1.009, 1.019]), and female ASIR >20 (RR: 1.010, 95% CI [1.002, 1.018]). PM_2.5, PM_2.5-1, DSBI, and GDP were positively correlated with GC incidence, while NDVI was negatively correlated in the study regions. Our findings provided evidence of a positive correlation between PM₁ exposure and GC incidence in high-risk areas of GC within arid regions. Further research is warranted to elucidate the complex nonlinear relationships between environmental factors and GC. These insights could inform strategies for improving the control and prevention of GC in Gansu and similar regions.