Air Pollution Can Cause Brain Damage

As Diwali approaches, the air quality in the national capital and regions around it continues to get worse and remains in the "very poor" category. Many experts have also agreed that this prolonged exposure to air pollution can be detrimental to the brain.

"Very Poor" and "Severe" Air Quality

As per the Central Pollution Control Board data (CPCB), the air quality index (AQI) was at 336. Throughout the week the air quality remained in the "very poor" category between 301 to 400. In some areas like Jahangirpuri and Anand Vihar, the air quality even reached 400, "severe" category on AQI. On October 23, Jahangirpuri reported an AQI of 417 and Anand Vihar was at 402.

For the "very poor" category areas, Alipur'a AQI stood at 372, Najafgarh at 342, RK Puram at 352, Shadipur at 322, Rohini at 388, Sirifort at 334, Pusa at 305, Ashok Viha at 359, Dwarka-Sector 8 at 367, Bawana at 391, NSIT Dwarka at 379, Narela at 357, Okhla Phase 2 at 346, Patparganj at 373 and Nehru Nagar at 365 .

As per a recent study in The Lancet Planetary Health showed that short-term air pollution exposure claimed 33,000 lives annually in 10 cities in India, and Delhi topped the list with 12,000 deaths every year.

Health Threats

Air pollution poses a great threat not just to respiratory systems, but also to neurological health. Dr PN Renjen, Senior Consultant, Neurology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, told IANS, "Heavy metals like lead and mercury, along with volatile organic compounds, have detrimental effects on brain function. Neurotoxins from pollution can bypass the blood-brain barrier, triggering inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal damage."

The doctor explained that this not only impairs cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and executive functioning but also risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Pollution also increases the risk of cerebral stroke due to neurotoxins and oxidative stress. This can affect the arteries and contribute to atherosclerosis.

This is also confirmed by a study, published in the JAMA Network Open, which stated that higher levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure can increase the risk of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Other issues that it can cause to brain health include higher rates of mental health disorders including depression and anxiety, and accelerated brain ageing. The most at risk are children, who are still at the age of developing their cognitive abilities.