Prolonged exposure to air pollution may be detrimental to brain

Even as air quality in the national capital continues to be in the very poor category health experts on Thursday said that prolonged exposure to air pollution may be detrimental to the brainAccording to Central Pollution Control Board data CPCB the air quality index AQI was 336 at 730 am Various monitoring stations across the national capital recorded the air quality in the very poor category between 301 and 400During the day the air quality is expected to drop to the severe category at places where the AQI is near 400 as per the CPCBA recent study published in The Lancet Planetary Health showed shortterm air pollution exposure claimed 33000 lives annually in 10 cities in India and Delhi topped the list with 12000 deaths every yearDr PN Renjen senior consultant neurology Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals said that pollution poses a significant threat to both physical and neurological healthldquoHeavy metals like lead and mercury along with volatile organic compounds have detrimental effects on brain function Neurotoxins from pollution can bypass the bloodbrain barrier triggering inflammation oxidative stress and neuronal damagerdquo Renjen saidldquoThis not only impairs cognitive abilities such as memory attention and executive functioning but also increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers and Parkinsons In addition pollution increases the risk of cerebral stroke due to neurotoxins and oxidative stress which affect the arteries and contribute to atherosclerosisrdquo the doctor saidHigher levels of particulate matter PM25 and nitrogen dioxide NO2 exposure can increase the risk of Parkinsons and Alzheimers revealed recent studies published in the JAMA Network OpenProlonged exposure to air pollution has also been associated with reduced brain volume accelerated brain ageing and higher rates of mental health disorders including depression and anxietyChildren and the elderly are particularly vulnerable with studies showing that children exposed to high levels of pollution may experience impaired cognitive development while older adults face a heightened risk of cognitive declineBesides the brain rising pollution levels can also affect eyes and skin and lead to respiratory issuesldquoExposure to smoke and particulate matter can cause redness itching and tearing in eyes while increased pollen and pollutants can exacerbate allergiesrdquo Dr Mukesh Mehra Senior DirectorInternal Medicine Max Super Speciality Hospital told IANSPollutants can also cause skin irritation breakouts and allergic reactions Longterm exposure can also lead to skin damage and premature ageing trigger asthma attacks and other chronic respiratory diseases the doctor saidThe experts called on to create a safe indoor environment with air purifiers use masks while going outside during high pollution levels and eat healthyThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever