BITS & PIECES - SIGNIFICANT LINK BETWEEN AIR POLLUTION AND NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS

By April Roach, 

Published in Evening Standard

A significant link has been found between air pollution and neurological disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, according to a new study. The nationwide study in the US looked at 17 years of hospital admission data from more than 63 million older adults.This was then linked to the estimated fine particulate (PM2.5) pollution concentrations by zip code.

The researchers at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health discovered that poor air quality was significantly associated with an increased risk of hospital admission for dementias. The study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, revealed that for every five micrograms per cubic metre of air (μg/m3) increase in annual PM2.5 concentrations, there was a 13 per cent increased risk for first-time hospital admissions for Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

The study looked at pollution concentrations by zip code in the US. They said that the risk remained high even below the “supposedly safe” level of 12 μg/m3 or less, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Dr Stefan Reis, of the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, said that based on the findings, reducing exposure to PM2.5 in the whole population "should become a key priority for air pollution control policies."

“This study contributes to the growing body of evidence which suggests that exposure to air pollution even at comparatively low concentrations has widespread negative health effects," said Dr Reis.

“While respiratory and cardio-vascular diseases have been well known to be linked to air pollution, showing links between exposure to fine particulate matter and brain health in a comprehensive study highlights the importance to act swiftly in reducing exposure, not only in hotspot areas.”

Dementia UK video puts spotlight on dementia carers during lockdown and beyond. “These findings are timely as they will inform the debate about adopting the World Health Organisation’s guideline value for PM2.5 of 10 μg m-3.

“However, the study indicates that negative health impacts occur even below this level.” The study is the first nationwide analysis of the link between fine particulate pollution and neurodegenerative diseases in the US. Women, white people, and urban populations were particularly susceptible, the study found.

The highest risk for first-time Parkinson’s disease hospital admissions was among older adults in the north-eastern US while for first-time Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias hospital admissions older adults in the Midwest faced the highest risk, it added.

Xiao Wu, co-lead author of the study, said: “Our study builds on the small but emerging evidence base indicating that long-term PM2.5 exposures are linked to an increased risk of neurological health deterioration, even at PM2.5 concentrations well below the current national standards.”