Even short-term spikes in air pollutants can damage brain health, a study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health suggests.
Exposure to spikes in air pollution, even for only a few weeks, has been found to impair the ability of older men to think and speak clearly, new research has shown.
Researchers discovered that following increases in air pollution, men’s cognitive performance fell even when peak levels remained within the recommended safe limits established by the World Health Organisation.
The scientists were located across both the US and China, and collected multiple cognitive test scores from almost 1,000 men, who were white and had an average age of 69, and cross-examined the results against local levels of ultrafine particulate matter (PM2.5).
The Columbia study indicated that the use of aspirin may mitigate these effects. Researchers found the adverse effects of air pollution on cognitive performance were lessened by people taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin.
The study considered that NSAIDs, particularly aspirin, may moderate neuroinflammation or changes in blood flow to the brain triggered by inhaling pollution.
Senior author Dr Andrea Baccarelli, Chair of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, commented: ‘Despite regulations on emissions, short-term spikes in air pollution remain frequent and have the potential to impair health, including at levels below that are usually considered hazardous.
‘Taking aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs appears to mitigate these effects, although policy changes to further restrict air pollution are still warranted.’
