A recent study by researchers at Yale University in collaboration with researchers in China, has found that long-term exposure to ozone is linked to increased risk of cognitive decline in older adults.
They found that every 10μg/m3 increase in long-term (annual) ozone was associated with a 10% increase in risk of cognitive impairment. They were able to take into account other factors such as smoking, drinking, and education level, so they are sure that the decline they measured is because of ozone.
They looked at almost 10,000 older adults in China who had normal cognitive functioning, and then measured their functioning 6 or more years later. They compared changes in cognitive function to annual (long-term) ozone levels in the county where they lived. This study matches findings from other studies in the US and Taiwan.
Remember that air pollution exposure is not equitable, and that studies like this show how our environmental injustice contributes to health disparities.
This shows we can really benefit from clean air – it improves health and reduces suffering. #HealthyAirIsHealthCare
Read the scientific study here.
02/16/2022
