Delhi's Pollution Linked to Brain Health Issues
A review by Delhi University professors suggests that prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter in Delhi's air pollution may affect the brain, leading to cognitive impairment and structural changes.
New Delhi's air pollution may have a more profound impact on residents' health than previously thought, with a review by Delhi University professors suggesting that prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter could affect the brain.
Studies reviewed by the professors have linked long-term exposure to particulate matter with changes in brain structure, memory, attention, and other cognitive functions.
The review, conducted by DU professors from the Department of Environmental Studies, examined 129 peer-reviewed articles on the neurological effects of particulate matter and found growing evidence linking long-term exposure to PM2.5 with cognitive impairment and structural and functional changes in the brain.
Air pollution is no longer only a lung and heart problem; it is increasingly a brain-health problem, according to Vandana Mishra, one of the researchers associated with the study.
Fine particulate matter has even been seen to breach the blood-brain barrier, a dangerous side effect of pollution.
The review highlights that prolonged exposure to air pollution has been associated with changes in the physical structure of the brain, including reductions in brain volume and cortical thickness.
These structural changes have been associated with problems in memory, attention, and executive functions such as planning and decision-making.
The review also cites evidence of changes in the hippocampus, a region important for memory, as well as disruption in connections between different areas of the brain.
In older adults, long-term exposure has been associated with reduced brain volume and impaired hippocampal function.
The findings also raise particular concerns for children and young people because their brains are still developing.
The review cites studies reporting reduced grey and white matter volumes in children exposed to air pollution, along with possible effects on IQ, attention, and behavioural regulation.
Research on prenatal and early-life exposure has also linked pollution exposure with impaired cognitive development and lower intelligence scores in children.
The review notes that early-life exposure can affect biological pathways involved in brain development and synaptic plasticity, the process through which connections between brain cells are formed and strengthened.
The concern is not limited to children. The review cites evidence of subclinical neurodegenerative changes in otherwise healthy young adults, suggesting that prolonged pollution exposure could potentially contribute to premature ageing of the brain.
According to the review, several processes may work together to cause the neurological effects.
The review was conducted by professors from the Department of Environmental Studies at Delhi University, who examined 129 peer-reviewed articles on the neurological effects of particulate matter.
The research adds another dimension to Delhi's air pollution problem, suggesting that the impact of polluted air may not always be immediately visible and could extend to the brain over prolonged exposure.
The findings of the review were published in a review article by the researchers associated with the study.
