A long-term study has shown that exposure to high levels of air pollution for more than a decade is associated with an increased risk of dementia.
Researchers say their ability to be exposed in a specific field estimated to be more than 40 years makes their work “unprecedented” and “unique”.
The research is supported by Washington University It was found that the PM2.5 level of fine particulate matter at specific locations has only slightly increased in the past ten years Seattle In the United States, people who live there are at greater risk of dementia.
The researchers used data from two long-running large-scale research projects in the Puget Sound area-one dating back to the late 1970s to measure air pollution, and the other from a 1994 study on risk factors for dementia-the researchers found , The difference of 1 microgram per cubic meter of pollution levels between houses is associated with a 16% higher incidence of dementia.
This research supports policies to reduce exposure to particulate air pollution
Lead author Dr. Rachel Shaffer said: “In other words, individuals who have been exposed to elevated PM2.5 for a long time have a higher risk of dementia.”
The study, published in the journal Environmental Health Outlook, concluded: “These results add to the growing epidemiological and toxicological evidence on the neurodegenerative effects of air pollution, and indicate that reducing population exposure may have Help reduce the burden of dementia. .”
The study surveyed more than 4,000 Seattle area residents who participated in the study in 1994, and more than 1,000 of them were diagnosed with dementia at some time since the beginning of the study.
Dr. Schafer said: “We know that dementia develops over a long period of time. It takes years or even decades for these conditions to develop in the brain, so we need to study to cover long-term exposure.”
She said that because of the availability of a detailed database of air pollution in the area, they were able to estimate exposures in the area dating back 40 years.
Dr. Shaffer added: “This is unprecedented in this field of research, and it is also a unique aspect of our research.”
She said the findings support the need for policies that focus on reducing exposure to air pollution.
Dr. Schafer said: “This study supports policies to reduce exposure to particulate air pollution and shows that reducing exposure to the entire population may help reduce the burden of dementia.”
