What if the haze clouding your thoughts was not just metaphorical, but a literal consequence of air pollution? Pollution and climate change have been prevalent issues in recent years, casting a shadow over health and well-being. Epidemiological research has indicated neurological effects on the central nervous system (CNS) from ambient air pollution (Xu, Ha, and Basnet 2016). Particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides, and other airborne pollutants can trigger neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and even contribute to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. As air quality worsens, understanding its impact on brain health becomes increasingly critical.
Air pollution is attributed as a chronic source of neuroinflammation, reactive oxygen species, and pathological changes that result in diseases in the CNS (Block and Calderón-Garcidueñas 2009). Chronic exposure to pollutants such as air pollution can often trigger neuroinflammation, an inflammatory response in the brain or spinal cord (DiSabato, Quan, and Godbout 2016). Various air pollutants are hazardous to human health, including PM, such as ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and lead (Brockmeyer and D’Angiulli 2016).
This also has considerable implications for children, affecting their developing brains. Children are among the most susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution (Brockmeyer and D’Angiulli 2016). Due to increased breathing rates, time spent outside compared to adults, and less developed barriers against inhaled particles, children are particularly at risk due to higher exposure to pollutants (Figure 1a). Developing natural barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and nasal, gut, and lung epithelia is important (Suades-González et al. 2015). In high-exposure environments, children’s barrier development is compromised, leaving their brains more susceptible to pollutants. A study conducted by Villarreal-Calderón et al. (2002) in Mexico City revealed cognitive delays and structural brain changes in children exposed to high levels of air pollution (Figure 1b). Additionally, greenhouse gases that are emitted with air pollution, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat in the atmosphere and exacerbate global warming (Habibi, Perry, and Mahmoudi 2014). This creates a feedback loop, with rising temperatures leading to an increase in ozone formation and a heightened frequency of wildfires, exacerbating both poor air quality and climate change.
Neuroinflammation has various adverse effects. A study conducted by Reuben et al. (2021) concluded that there is a link between childhood air pollutant exposure, particularly nitrous oxides, and poor mental health in young adulthood. Mental health is critical to overall well-being and affects every aspect of life, which highlights the concerning impact of pollution on mental health. These findings underscore the importance of mitigating early-life exposure to protect future generations’ neurological health. Early interventions are imperative to prevent lifelong cognitive harm.
Governments need to take steps to reduce emissions through policies that promote reusable energy sources and cleaner transportation (Laumbach et al. 2015). Personal interventions, such as masks, may also mitigate short-term exposure, however, systemic issues need to be addressed. Promoting clean air policies and raising awareness about environmental health risks can play a vital role in protecting the long-term cognitive and emotional well-being of both children and adults.
Reducing air pollution through systemic change and awareness is crucial to protecting neurological health, particularly in children, who are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of environmental toxins. Implementing early interventions, such as stricter emissions regulations, urban green spaces, and public health initiatives, alongside strong clean air policies, can help mitigate these lifelong cognitive and mental health impacts. By prioritizing air quality, we can safeguard the well-being of future generations and promote healthier brain development.
References
Block, Michelle L., and Lilian Calderón-Garcidueñas. 2009. “Air Pollution: Mechanisms of Neuroinflammation and CNS Disease.” Trends in Neurosciences 32 (9): 506–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2009.05.009.
Brockmeyer, Sam, and Amedeo D’Angiulli. 2016. “How Air Pollution Alters Brain Development: The Role of Neuroinflammation.” Translational Neuroscience 7 (1): 24–30. https://doi.org/10.1515/tnsci-2016-0005.
DiSabato, Damon J., Ning Quan, and Jonathan P. Godbout. 2016. “Neuroinflammation: The Devil Is in the Details.” Journal of Neurochemistry 139 Suppl 2 (Suppl 2): 136–53. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.13607.
Habibi, Laleh, George Perry, and Morteza Mahmoudi. 2014. “Global Warming and Neurodegenerative Disorders: Speculations on Their Linkage.” BioImpacts: BI 4 (4): 167–70. https://doi.org/10.15171/bi.2014.013.
Laumbach, Robert, Qingyu Meng, and Howard Kipen. 2015. “What Can Individuals Do to Reduce Personal Health Risks from Air Pollution?” Journal of Thoracic Disease 7 (1): 96–107. https://doi.org/10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2014.12.21.
Reuben, Aaron, Louise Arseneault, Andrew Beddows, et al. 2021. “Association of Air Pollution Exposure in Childhood and Adolescence With Psychopathology at the Transition to Adulthood.” JAMA Network Open 4 (4): e217508. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.7508.
Suades-González, Elisabet, Mireia Gascon, Mònica Guxens, and Jordi Sunyer. 2015. “Air Pollution and Neuropsychological Development: A Review of the Latest Evidence.” Endocrinology 156 (10): 3473–82. https://doi.org/10.1210/en.2015-1403.
Villarreal-Calderón, Anna, Hilda Acuña, Jessica Villarreal-Calderón, et al. 2002. “Assessment of Physical Education Time and After-School Outdoor Time in Elementary and Middle School Students in South Mexico City: The Dilemma between Physical Fitness and the Adverse Health Effects of Outdoor Pollutant Exposure.” Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal 57 (5): 450–60. https://doi.org/10.1080/00039890209601437.
Xu, Xiaohui, Sandie Uyen Ha, and Rakshya Basnet. 2016. “A Review of Epidemiological Research on Adverse Neurological Effects of Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution.” Frontiers in Public Health 4 (August). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2016.00157.