Every time we go out on the road, we are familiar with the smoke coming from vehicles, the smell of burning things everywhere, right? We usually think that this smoke only affects our lungs, or makes it difficult to breathe. However, a recent major research has found that this polluted air we breathe can directly affect our brain, especially our memory. So let's talk about this in a little more depth today.
What does this new research say?
A group of researchers from the University of Michigan in the United States have conducted a very important study. They compared the health information of nearly 28,000 people over an 18-year period and the levels of air pollution in the areas they lived in. When the study began, none of these people had dementia.
At the end of this study, they found something surprising: people who lived in areas with high air pollution had an 8% higher risk of developing dementia.
So what is Dementia?
Simply put, dementia is a general name for a group of diseases that gradually affect brain function. This causes problems with memory, thinking, language, and the ability to solve everyday problems . You may have heard of Alzheimer's disease . It is the most common and leading condition in this category of dementia.
Is all air pollution the same?
No. Researchers have looked at this in more depth. They have also looked at whether the risk varies depending on the different ways air pollution is generated. For example, they have studied pollution from vehicles, industrial emissions, agricultural activities, and forest fires separately.
Let's look at some of the things they discovered there.
| Cause of air pollution | Increased risk of dementia |
|---|---|
| From agricultural activities (e.g., use of fertilizers, pesticides, burning of chaff) | An increase of 13% |
| Smoke from forest fires | An increase of 5% |
| In areas with high overall pollution | An increase of 8% |
From this data, we can see that air pollution, especially that caused by agricultural activities, has a greater impact on brain health. This is also relevant for us in Sri Lanka. Particles emitted from things like burning paddy fields, burning garbage, and excessive use of chemicals are not good for our health.
How does this polluted air get to our brains?
You might be thinking, "We breathe in through our lungs, how does it get to our brain?" The problem lies in the tiny particles in this polluted air.
In medicine, we call this `Particulate Matter` (PM) . These are so small that some particles are about a hundred times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. Particles this small can:
- Enter the brain directly through the nose: There are nerves from the top of our nose that connect directly to the brain. These small particles can travel through that path to the brain.
- Enter the blood and travel to the brain: These particles enter the blood from the lungs. They can then penetrate the natural barrier that protects our brain, the 'blood-brain barrier', and enter the brain.
Particles that enter the brain in this way damage brain cells and disrupt their function. We also call this `Neurotoxic` because these are toxic to brain cells.
So what do we do? Can't we prevent this?
The good news here is that air pollution is something we can change and control . Doctors call it a 'modifiable risk factor' . That means we have the opportunity to reduce this risk by changing our lifestyle and thinking about the environment.
If we all come together and think about these things, we can make a big difference.
- Proper disposal of garbage: Avoid burning things like plastic and polythene at home. The smoke emitted from these is very harmful.
- Vehicle maintenance: Get your vehicle's emissions tested properly. Minimize the amount of smoke emitted from vehicles.
- A green environment: Plant as many trees as possible. Trees clean the air.
- Be aware: On days with high air pollution, reduce unnecessary outdoor activity, especially for the elderly and young children. Wear a mask if necessary.
The main message this research gives us is that the impact of air pollution is not limited to a minor discomfort in our throats and eyes. It directly affects our brain health and our future.
If you or someone in your family, especially an elderly person, is experiencing symptoms such as memory problems or forgetfulness, don't be embarrassed or afraid. The best person to talk to about it is your doctor. It is very important to see a doctor to discuss this and get the necessary advice and treatment.
Take-Home Message
- Air pollution, especially smoke from agricultural activities and combustion, significantly increases the risk of dementia.
- The tiny particles (Particulate Matter) in this polluted air can enter our brains directly and cause long-term damage to brain cells.
- Air pollution is a risk factor we can control, so taking action for clean air, both individually and as a society, is crucial to protecting our brain health and that of our loved ones.
- If an elderly member of your family is showing memory problems, do not ignore it and consult a doctor or physician as soon as possible for advice.
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