Air pollution may be doing more harm to your body than you think. A new study by Cambridge scientists details how specific forms of air pollution are linked to a higher risk of developing dementia. It analysed data from over 29 million participants exposed to air pollutants for about one year, stating that the illness is likely to affect more people in the years to come, with an estimated 150 million cases by 2050.
While many studies have suggested air pollution as a potential risk factor for dementia, this research, conducted by researchers at the Medical Research Council’s epidemiology unit at the University of Cambridge, reviewed 51 studies, making it the most comprehensive analysis to date. Significantly, it finds a clear link between three types of air pollutants and dementia.
These pollutants include PM2.5 from vehicles, power plants, wood-burning stoves, and fireplaces; nitrogen dioxide from burning fossil fuels; and soot from car exhaust and burning wood. Breathing them can cause lung damage, respiratory issues, and certain heart-related health risks. The study highlights how dementia risk increases with higher levels of air pollution.
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Harmful pollutants, once inhaled, enter the lungs and slip into the bloodstream. They can reach the brain, causing inflammation and oxidative stress—both of which damage brain cells and blood vessels.
Dr Haneen Khreis, the senior author of the study, told The Guardian: “Tackling air pollution can deliver long-term health, social, climate and economic benefits. It can reduce the immense burden on patients, families, and caregivers, while easing pressure on overstretched healthcare systems.”
Dr Isolde Radford, senior policy manager at Alzheimer’s Research UK, added: “This rigorous review adds to mounting evidence that exposure to air pollution - from traffic fumes to wood burners - increases the risk of developing dementia. Air pollution is one of the major modifiable risk factors for dementia, but it’s not something individuals can solve alone. That’s where government leadership is vital.”
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.
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