Short-term exposure to air pollution impairs cognitive abilities, making everyday activities like grocery shopping more challenging, a new study finds.
Researchers from the Universities of Birmingham and Manchester found that inhaling particulate matter (PM) negatively affects focus. It also impacts task performance and emotional recognition. The study highlights air pollution’s immediate impact on brain function.
POLLUTION EXPOSURE DISRUPTS MENTAL ABILITIES
Scientists tested participants before and after exposure to high PM levels. They measured working memory, selective attention, emotion recognition, and reaction speed.
Those exposed to polluted air showed decreased focus and struggled with emotional recognition, while working memory remained unaffected. Some brain functions appear more resistant to pollution than others.
HOW POLLUTION AFFECTS BRAIN FUNCTION
Experts believe air pollution causes inflammation, disrupting neural pathways responsible for concentration and emotional processing.
Selective attention allows people to concentrate on tasks while ignoring distractions. Air pollution weakens this ability, making decision-making harder.
Emotion recognition helps individuals interpret facial expressions and social cues. Pollution exposure diminishes this skill, affecting communication and social interactions.
WORKING MEMORY REMAINS RESILIENT
Unlike attention and emotion recognition, working memory was unaffected by short-term exposure, suggesting certain cognitive processes resist immediate damage.
Professor Francis Pope from the University of Birmingham warns that poor air quality undermines intellectual performance and workplace efficiency. “Cognitive decline from pollution impacts economic growth in a world dependent on mental sharpness,” he states.
URBAN DWELLERS FACE HIGHER RISKS
Professor Gordon McFiggans from the University of Manchester emphasizes risks for city residents. “Older adults in polluted environments may experience long-term cognitive decline,” he cautions.
SCIENCE BEHIND AIR POLLUTION’S EFFECTS
- Disrupts neural activity – Reduces cognitive efficiency.
- Triggers inflammation – Slows mental processing.
- Impairs focus – Hinders task completion.
- Weakens social cognition – Reduces emotional awareness.
LONG-TERM IMPACT STILL UNKNOWN
More research is needed to understand how prolonged pollution exposure affects the brain. Scientists call for further studies on long-term cognitive decline.
Air pollution is the leading environmental health threat, responsible for millions of deaths annually. PM2.5 particles contribute to respiratory diseases and neurodegenerative conditions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends PM2.5 levels remain under 15 μg/m³ daily and 5 μg/m³ annually, but many urban areas exceed these limits.
WAYS TO PROTECT BRAIN HEALTH FROM AIR POLLUTION
- Monitor air quality – Use real-time tracking apps.
- Wear masks – Reduce exposure in high-pollution zones.
- Improve indoor air – Use air purifiers at home.
- Advocate for clean air policies – Support stricter environmental regulations.
