Air Pollution Can Cause Mental Issues
Air Pollution Can Cause Mental Issues – A new study shows that air pollution not only affects our physical health but our mental health as well.
The study, led by Melinda Power, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, surveyed over 70,000 women in the US. Researchers found that 15 % of those who lived in polluted areas reported multiple anxiety symptoms. The women’s risk of anxiety symptoms increased along with their exposure to fine particle pollution, particles released into the air when fossil fuels are burned, such as car exhaust and industrial sources like power plants.
As to how air pollution could cause anxiety, Power speculates that it could be inflammation caused by constant exposure to pollution. Other studies have indicated that inflammation affecting the brain can lead to anxiety. Power also noted that there could be other possible explanations for the anxiety, such as other forms of pollution like noise pollution caused by traffic.
Overall, the study results are interesting, according to Power, and need to be explored further.
Category: News
