Air pollution affects brain function in a matter of two hours 

We are all aware about the adverse effects of pollution. Be it on the environment causing climate change or on human lives causing respiratory disorders – the impacts are far-reaching. But recent studies have shown that pollution, even the common traffic/ air ones can impair human brain function within a matter of two hours.  

The study published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health was conducted using functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI in a controlled set-up. It revealed that within just two hours of exposure to diesel exhausts, the human brain’s ability to interact and communicate with others starts to falter. Longer the exposure, worse and more long-lasting the brain impairment.  

Sources cite that it was researchers from the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria who pioneered this study. For years scientists thought that air pollution only affected human lungs and cardiothoracic region, however it was only recently that they realised that the toxic effects of even mild air pollution have the capacity to damage brain function and alter brain network connectivity. In fact, it was this study that provided brand-new evidence connecting air pollution with cognition.  

To carry out the experiment, researchers took help of 25 healthy adults and briefly exposed them to diesel exhaust as well as filtered air during different times in a laboratory set-up. As it turns out, using the fMRI technique, brain activity was checked before and after every exposure. It was revealed that the participants in the trial had lower brain functional connectivity across DMN (or the brain’s default mode network) that is responsible for memory and internal thought process when exposed to diesel exhaust as compared to filtered air. This in turn results in reduced cognitive performance as well as exhibit symptoms of depression. Shocking, isn’t it? Interestingly, experts also believe that long-term exposure to  air pollution such as dust particles, greenhouse emissions from factories and vehicles, especially during severe weather has the power to further affect people’s thinking as well as ability to work. Besides they also impair heart and neurological functions and can often result in lethal cardiac arrests, brain strokes and even gastrointestinal problems.