Curiosity

As residents of New Delhi, we are not unfamiliar with rising pollution levels and poor air quality. This leads to problems faced by the earth and all its inhabitants. In our case, we are well aware of the detrimental effects it has on our physical health – the respiratory and cardiovascular systems in particular – but have you ever considered how it influences our mental health? A study from the University of British Columbia and University of Victoria has shown that the exposure of traffic pollution can impair the brain’s normal functions. This study reports that the exposure of diesel fumes and pollution affects some areas of the brain in which the exhaust disrupts the communication between the different areas. Even exposure for a length of a few hours can cause serious damage to the brain. The deterioration of this communication tends to occur in regions that control our emotions. This partly explains why people exposed to high levels of air pollution experience anxiety and depression. On the other hand, research now shows that exposure to low air quality can have disastrous long term effects too. A 2019 study of people in the United States and Denmark found higher rates of psychiatric illnesses — such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders — in those exposed to more polluted air. Experts also label it as one of the 12 modifiable risk factors for dementia. “Air pollution is now recognized as the largest environmental threat to human health and we are increasingly seeing the impacts across all major organ systems,” says Dr. Carlsten, professor and head of respiratory medicine and the Canada Research Chair in occupational and environmental lung disease at UBC. “I expect we would see similar impacts on the brain from exposure to other air pollutants, like forest fire smoke. With the increasing incidence of neurocognitive disorders, it’s an important consideration for public health officials and policymakers.” All in all, air pollution proves to be a greater threat than we anticipated, and protection from the same is essential for good health.

Aira Mittal 9C