This article in CityMetric explains how and why air pollution affects mental health. We have studies that show that air pollution increases the risk for depression, suicide, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, autism, and dementia. It affects all people in all stages of life, from infancy through old age, even prenatally. And these effects happen at air pollution levels below our current standards.
How does this happen? Studies show that air pollution causes inflammation of nerves and brain tissue, damage to neurons, altered hormone regulation, and changes to blood vessels in the brain. Air pollution can also affect social interaction, physical activity, and sleep, all of which contribute to changes in mental health.
It shows that we all need clean air to be truly healthy, and that we need to strengthen, not weaken, our current air pollution limits.
https://www.citymetric.com/horizons/here-s-why-air-pollution-affects-mental-health-4901
02/06/2020
