2024-01-12 11:03:05
In 2050, it is estimated that 153 million people will suffer from dementia in the world. Scientific evidence relates the continued exposure to air pollutants with the risk and prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases. Urban pollutants are the silent enemy of human beings, because they not only harm lung and cardiovascular health, but are closely related to the neuroinflammation involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis or sclerosis. amyotrophic lateral (ALS).
Consumer magazine reports that epidemiological studies also warn of a possible future scenario, in which, in addition to the aging of the population, air pollution favors the appearance – earlier and in more people – of cognitive deterioration. According to the recent Global Burden of Disease study, published in The Lancet, on the prevalence of dementia and which takes 204 countries as a sample, it is estimated that the world will go from 57 million people with dementia in 2019 to 153 million in 2050.
The most dangerous pollutants for neurological health are particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10), that is, particles of dust, soot, ash, cement, waste and metals in suspension, with a diameter between 2.5 and 10 microns. Also from carbon monoxide (CO2), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
“What worries us most are the pollutants from road traffic, both from engine combustion and from brake and tire wear. It is estimated that, among suspended particles, around 30% of what an average Spanish citizen breathes comes from this road traffic. There are daily and annual limit values, measured and legislated, for PM 2.5 and PM 10. But those particles that measure less than 0.1 microns in diameter and can enter the bloodstream more easily are not regulated. Studies are still being done, both on its levels and on the health effects.“, warns Consumer magazine, Xavier Querol, researcher at the Institute of Environmental Diagnosis and Water Studies (IDAEA), of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC).
According to the latest report Air quality in Europe 2022, prepared by the European Environment Agency in 2020, 96% of the urban population of the European Union was exposed to concentrations of fine particles (PM 2.5) higher than what the Organization World Health Organization considers it safe (5 µg/m³). In addition, there were nearly 238,000 premature deaths due to this exposure in 2020.
The terrible consequences of continued exposure to pollution
A recent meta-analysis carried out by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health has reviewed more than 2,000 studies and highlighted 51 investigations in which the relationship was established between the increased risk of suffering from dementia and exposure to PM 2.5, carbon dioxide. nitrogen and nitrogen oxide.
“What we have learned in recent years is that exposure to this type of microparticles increases the risk of stroke, both ischemic (due to embolism) and hemorrhagic, and cognitive impairment.“explains neurologist Javier Camiña, member of the Spanish Society of Neurology. “Right now we have a million people with dementia in Spain, of which about 800,000 suffer from Alzheimer’s. It is estimated that there will be two and a half or three million people with dementia in the next 20 years in our country.“, Add.
Another study published by the Canadian Environmental Health Sciences and Research Bureau in 2019 points out the relationship between air pollutants, with the highest incidence of neurological and psychiatric disorders such as cognitive impairment, dementia, anxiety, depression and suicide. The key seems to be stress, to which the brain is particularly sensitive, and the stress trigger caused by two specific pollutants: PM and ozone.
“Recent evidence has shown that PM and ozone, two common pollutants with different characteristics and reactivity, can activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and release the stress hormone cortisol. These hormones affect cognition and mental health. Chronic activation and deregulation of the HPA axis is related to adverse effects that include neurotoxicity, oxidative stress and poor control of inflammatory processes.”, notes the study. In this way, continued exposure to pollution and chronic or acute stress can lead to structural and biochemical changes in the brain, related to the effects of pollutants on the central nervous system.
The only solution to limit this exposure to those responsible for oxidative, inflammatory and metabolic processes would be to speed up the measures to reduce air pollution, conscientize inform the population about the use of less polluting energy and transportation sources and reduce outdoor exposure of the vulnerable population in episodes of high pollution.
Press contact: Elvira Martín: 636 518 803
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