The air we breathe doesn't just affect our lungs. Researchers have recently revealed that even brief exposure to fine particles can disrupt essential brain functions. This discovery raises questions about the impacts of air pollution on our daily lives.
A study conducted by the universities of Birmingham and Manchester (UK) focused on the effects of air pollution on human cognitive abilities. Researchers exposed 26 participants to high concentrations of PM2.5 fine particles for one hour to assess their cognitive performance before and after exposure. The results show significant deficits in functions such as selective attention and emotion recognition.
Nature Communications, where the results were published, reports that these deficits were observed shortly after exposure. The tests conducted focused on functions such as working memory, selective attention, and emotion recognition. Participants showed difficulties in concentrating and interpreting emotions, especially after exposure to polluted air.
Cognitive tests put to the test
Researchers set up a protocol by exposing participants to various conditions: exposure to polluted or clean air, with nasal or oral inhalation. These conditions allowed them to study how polluted air, through the respiratory tract, could influence cognitive functioning. It was demonstrated that inhaling polluted air affected selective attention and emotion recognition, essential functions for our daily behavior.
The tests also measured psychomotor speed and working memory, but these two functions did not seem to be affected by exposure. The results suggest that some brain functions are more resistant to air pollution than others.
Pollution and long-term cognitive development
Researchers emphasize the urgency of better air quality regulation. In the short term, pollution disrupts basic functions such as decision-making and emotion management. But in the long term, the effects can be more severe. Previous studies, such as the one conducted by the University of Saint George in 2018, have established a link between pollution and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers call for immediate action to limit the population's exposure to fine particles. These public health measures would be particularly important in urban areas where pollution reaches high levels.
Air pollution and productivity
The impact of air pollution on productivity is also a concern. The study reveals that air pollution not only disrupts our cognition but also our ability to carry out important tasks. Decision-making, essential in daily life and at work, is diminished by brief exposure to pollution.
Researchers warn that this impairment of cognitive abilities could have repercussions on the global economy. A decrease in worker productivity could harm economic growth, especially in a context where cognitive efficiency is crucial in today's technological world.
The need for stricter regulations
Researchers from the University of Birmingham stress the need to implement stricter regulations to combat air pollution. The study demonstrates that air pollution, far beyond its impact on physical health, seriously affects our minds and our ability to interact socially and professionally.
It is important to act quickly to protect the brain health of the population, especially in the most polluted areas, to preserve both public health and economic well-being.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND