Air pollution is found to harm the younger brains as they cause damage to the brain cells in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The study published in Environmental Research journal found tiny air pollution particles in the brains of young people, which was a cause of damage to their brain cells.
The researchers’ analysed brains of 186 deceased young people, including small children, in Mexico City. They found tiny air pollution particles in the brain stems of each of the individuals.
They found the pollution in the substantia nigra – an area of the brain that’s crucial to the progression of Parkinson’s disease. These particles were not found in younger people who came from less polluted regions.
The study is reported to be in the observation stage. The researchers note that the nano-pollution particles stay inside the critical cells and firing the arms that causes neurodegenerative damage.
If the findings are confirmed, then it would be a great concern as about 90 percent of the population on Earth live in areas where levels of air pollution exceed the World Health Organization’s limits.