Dementia: Higher Exposure to Air Pollution May Cause Dementia, Study Finds
A new study has found that long-term exposure to air pollution may increase the risk of developing dementia. The research, which was conducted by scientists at the University of Washington, suggests that even relatively low levels of air pollution could be detrimental to brain health. The study, which was published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, analyzed data from over 4,000 participants in the Adult Changes in Thought study, a long-term research project investigating the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The researchers used data from air quality monitors to estimate each participant’s exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) over a period of 10 years. What did the study show? The results of the study showed that participants who had higher levels of exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 had a higher risk of developing dementia. The researchers found that for every 1 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 exposure, the risk of dementia inc...