Living with air pollution, especially from wildfires or agriculture, raises risk of dementia, US study finds

People in areas of the United States with high levels of air pollution have a greater risk of dementia

A new study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine has found that people living in areas of the United States with high levels of a certain kind of air pollution are at a greater risk of developing dementia. The study, which looked at data from 27,857 survey participants between 1998 and 2016, found that about 15% of the participants developed dementia during the study period. All of these individuals lived in areas with higher concentrations of particle pollution compared to those who did not develop dementia. This study is the first nationally representative study in the US to examine the potential effects of particle pollution on dementia. The link between air pollution and dementia was found to be most robust in areas with pollution from agriculture and wildfires.

Particle Pollution and its Sources

Particle pollution, also known as PM2.5 or particulate matter, refers to the mix of solid and liquid droplets floating in the air. It can take the form of dirt, dust, soot, or smoke. Particle pollution can originate from various sources including coal- and natural gas-fired plants, cars, agriculture, unpaved roads, construction sites, and wildfires. Previous research on this issue has primarily focused on particle pollution from fossil fuels. However, this new study found that pollution from agriculture and wildfires had the strongest association with dementia. Other sources such as traffic and coal combustion may also contribute to particle pollution.

The researchers were initially surprised by the strong association between agriculture and wildfires with dementia. However, it makes sense considering the impact of pesticides used in agriculture on the brain. Pesticides are neurotoxins to animals, and they may also affect human brains when present in agriculture pollution. Additionally, wildfires produce smoke that contains particle pollution from burning not only trees but also homes and gas stations.

The Deadly Nature of Particle Pollution

Particle pollution is particularly dangerous due to the tiny size of PM2.5 particles, which are 1/20th of the width of a human hair. These particles can bypass the body’s usual defenses and penetrate deep into the lungs or enter the bloodstream. They can cause irritation, inflammation, and respiratory problems. Long-term exposure to particle pollution has been linked to various health issues including cancer, depression, breathing problems, and heart problems.

Dr. Caleb Finch, a professor at the University of Southern California, compares the effects of air pollution to that of cigarette smoke, stating that there is no such thing as good inhaled particles. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 55 million people worldwide have dementia, and this number is expected to increase significantly due to factors such as an aging population and health issues like obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure. The Alzheimer’s Association has called for urgent action to address increasing levels of air pollution and dementia cases as a serious public health crisis.

Possible Mechanisms and Correlation

While the exact mechanism connecting particle pollution and dementia is still unknown, scientists have proposed several theories. One theory suggests that tiny pollution particles may enter the brain through the nose and cause neuronal cell death associated with dementia. Another theory suggests that particle pollution may modify inflammatory proteins that act on the brain. Exposure to particle pollution has been found to cause heart conditions and vascular problems, which are also risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

It is important to note that this research establishes a correlation between particle pollution and dementia but does not prove that air pollution directly causes dementia. Further research is needed to fully understand this connection. Scientists like Dr. Masashi Kitazawa and Dr. Caleb Finch are actively studying this association, with Dr. Finch’s research showing that air particles from fossil fuels can increase the brain’s level of amyloid protein, which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Implications and Actions

Despite the lack of a definitive link, study co-author Dr. Boya Zhang emphasizes the importance of taking action to limit exposure to air pollution due to its known health risks. Many countries have implemented laws and incentives to reduce air pollution, but the majority of the global population still breathes air that exceeds World Health Organization air quality limits. The number of “very unhealthy” and “hazardous” air quality days has also increased over the years, largely due to the climate crisis.

At an individual level, steps to reduce exposure include using air purifiers in the home and wearing masks when exposed to wildfire smoke. At a policy level, governments could consider restricting the use of pesticides if they are found to be a significant contributor to particle pollution. Study co-author Dr. Sara Dubowsky Adar hopes that this research will motivate people to take action on climate change and work towards slowing its progression.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action

The article discusses the impact of air pollution on dementia, which is related to the goal of promoting good health and well-being (SDG 3). It also highlights the need for action on climate change and reducing air pollution, which aligns with the goals of sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) and climate action (SDG 13).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

The article emphasizes the need to reduce air pollution to prevent health issues such as dementia, aligning with the targets of reducing deaths and illnesses from air pollution (SDG 3.9) and improving air quality in cities (SDG 11.6). It also highlights the importance of integrating climate change measures into policies and planning, as air pollution is linked to climate-related factors such as agriculture and wildfires (SDG 13.2).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 3.9: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution.
• Indicator for SDG 11.6: Air quality index and levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) in cities.
• Indicator for SDG 13.2: Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural practices and wildfires.

The article mentions the impact of air pollution on health, indicating the need to track the number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution as an indicator for SDG 3.9. It also discusses particulate matter (PM2.5) as a specific type of air pollutant, which can be measured to assess air quality in cities as an indicator for SDG 11.6. Additionally, the article highlights the role of agricultural practices and wildfires in contributing to air pollution, suggesting the need to track reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from these sources as an indicator for SDG 13.2.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: kcra.com

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