The Adverse Effects of Air Pollution on the Nervous System

Abstract

Exposure to ambient air pollution is a serious and common public health concern associated with growing morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the last decades, the adverse effects of air pollution on the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems have been well established in a series of major epidemiological and observational studies. In the recent past, air pollution has also been associated with diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), including stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and neurodevelopmental disorders. It has been demonstrated that various components of air pollution, such as nanosized particles, can easily translocate to the CNS where they can activate innate immune responses. Furthermore, systemic inflammation arising from the pulmonary or cardiovascular system can affect CNS health. Despite intense studies on the health effects of ambient air pollution, the underlying molecular mechanisms of susceptibility and disease remain largely elusive. However, emerging evidence suggests that air pollution-induced neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, microglial activation, cerebrovascular dysfunction, and alterations in the blood-brain barrier contribute to CNS pathology. A better understanding of the mediators and mechanisms will enable the development of new strategies to protect individuals at risk and to reduce detrimental effects of air pollution on the nervous system and mental health.

Neurological Disorders from Ambient (Urban) Air Pollution Emphasizing UFPM and PM2.5

“…Scientists have demonstrated [1][2][3] that exposure to ambient (urban) air pollution owing to fine particles is linked with the increased risk of various cardiovascular as well as pulmonary disorders. In recent times, studies [4] have shown the negative impacts of ambient air pollution on the brain and central nervous system (CNS) that do not seem to have gained serious attention of the researchers.…”

“…The third important source in this category includes vapors emitting from building materials, household cleaning, and maintenance gadgets as well as furnishings. The PM and ground level ozone among others are emerging as growing risk of urban human health arising from air pollution [1,4,[7][8][9][10].…”

“…As a result, these particles comprise both organic and inorganic compounds, such as ammonium compounds, carbon, sulfates, nitrates, lipo-polysaccharides, metals, and water. Major sources of PM 2.5 are emissions from automobiles, fuel combustion during cooking at home as well as at roadside eateries, open burning of garbage (municipal solid waste, MSW), industrial activities (petroleum oil refineries, metal processing facilities, power plants), and wildfires [1,4,[7][8][9][10].…”

“…They can carry soluble organic compounds, PAHs, PCBs including dioxins, furans, and oxidized transition metals on their surfaces [1,4,[7][8][9][10]. Thus, UFPM, therefore, assumes considerable importance in studies of neurological disorders from air pollution both in the form of particulate phase as well as gaseous (molecular) phase.…”

Effect of Yoga Module on Pro- Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines in Industrial Workers of Lonavla: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Increasing industrialization, in both developing and developed countries, exposes the common man to pollutants which adversely affect his health [1]. Particularly, industrial workers, who are in direct contact with the pollutants, are affected most due to ill effects of pollutants [2,3].…”