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The most comprehensive study of its kind has recently linked exposure to specific forms of air pollution unequivocally with an increased risk of developing dementia.<\/p>\n
The research, conducted by scientists at the Medical Research Council’s Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, provides compelling new evidence in the fight against a debilitating illness projected to affect 150 million people globally by 2050.<\/p>\n
According to The Guardian<\/i>, the study \u2014 published in The Lancet Planetary Health \u2014 involved a systematic review of 51 previous studies, drawing on data from over 29 million participants who had experienced at least one year of exposure to air pollutants.<\/p>\n
While air pollution had previously been identified as a potential risk factor, this new research establishes a positive and statistically significant association between three specific types of air pollutants and the onset of dementia.<\/p>\n
The culprits identified were:<\/p>\n
PM2.5: <\/b>Fine particulate matter originating from vehicle emissions, power plants, and woodburning stoves and fireplaces.<\/p>\n
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2):<\/span> A gas primarily produced from the burning of fossil fuels.<\/p>\n Soot:<\/span> Another particulate matter derived from sources such as vehicle exhaust emissions and burning wood.<\/p>\n These microscopic pollutants can penetrate deep into the lungs when inhaled and are already known to cause respiratory disease and increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.<\/p>\n The study further revealed that for every 10 micrograms per cubic metre increase in PM2.5, an individual’s relative risk of dementia rises by 1%. For soot, the risk increases by 13% for the same level of exposure.<\/p>\n Worryingly, levels of soot and PM2.5 in roadside locations across major UK cities \u2014 including central London, Birmingham, and Glasgow \u2014 approached or exceeded these thresholds in 2023.<\/p>\n Dr Haneen Khreis, the study\u2019s senior author, emphasised that the findings offer “further evidence to support the observation that long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution is a risk factor for the onset of dementia in previously healthy adults.”<\/p>\n She added that tackling air pollution offers wide-ranging benefits, including “long-term health, social, climate and economic advantages,” and can “reduce the immense burden on patients, families, and caregivers, while easing pressure on overstretched healthcare systems.”<\/p>\n Researchers suggest that air pollution may contribute to dementia by causing inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain, a chemical process that can damage cells, proteins, and DNA.<\/p>\n Despite the comprehensive nature of the review, the researchers acknowledged that most of the analysed studies featured predominantly white participants from high-income countries. They recommend that future research on air pollution include a more diverse range of participants from marginalised backgrounds.<\/p>\n Dr Isolde Radford, senior policy manager at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “This rigorous review adds to mounting evidence that exposure to air pollution \u2014 from traffic fumes to wood burners \u2014 increases the risk of developing dementia.<\/p>\n “Air pollution is one of the major modifiable risk factors for dementia \u2013 but it’s not something individuals can solve alone. That’s where government leadership is vital. While the 10-year health plan acknowledges the health harms of air pollution, far more needs to be done to tackle this invisible threat.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n