Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Cognitive Function in a Cohort of Older Men

Abstract

BackgroundTraffic-related particles induce oxidative stress and may exert adverse effects on central nervous system function, which could manifest as cognitive impairment.ObjectiveWe assessed the association between black carbon (BC), a marker of traffic-related air pollution, and cognition in older men.MethodsA total of 680 men (mean ± SD, 71 ± 7 years of age) from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study completed a battery of seven cognitive tests at least once between 1996 and 2007. We assessed long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution using a validated spatiotemporal land-use regression model for BC.ResultsThe association between BC and cognition was nonlinear, and we log-transformed BC estimates for all analyses [ln(BC)]. In a multivariable-adjusted model, for each doubling in BC on the natural scale, the odds of having a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≤ 25 was 1.3 times higher [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1 to 1.6]. In a multivariable-adjusted model for global cognitive function, which combined scores from the remaining six tests, a doubling of BC was associated with a 0.054 SD lower test score (95% CI, −0.103 to −0.006), an effect size similar to that observed with a difference in age of 1.9 years in our data. We found no evidence of heterogeneity by cognitive test. In sensitivity analyses adjusting for past lead exposure, the association with MMSE scores was similar (odds ratio = 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.7), but the association with global cognition was somewhat attenuated (−0.038 per doubling in BC; 95% CI, −0.089 to 0.012).ConclusionsAmbient traffic-related air pollution was associated with decreased cognitive function in older men.

Ambient Fine Particulate Matter, Outdoor Temperature, and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome

“…It is possible, however, that measurement error is responsible for the lack of association observed with some metabolic components. Further, because NAS participants are largely retired, estimates of levels at the participants' addresses or at a 1-km × 1-km resolution are expected to correlate well with personal exposures due to the lack of commuting to work (48).…”

Structuring the Environmental Experience Design Research Framework through Selected Aged Care Facility Data Analyses in Victoria

“…One can observe elevated PM 0.3-10.0 concentration measured at communal area during day times, which is consistent with CO 2 concentration profile. Previous studies suggest association of particulate matter (PM) and its compounds with health problems in the elderly such as the acute respiratory inflammation, pneumonia, asthma chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, autonomic cardiac dysfunction, renal and cognitive deficit, and cardiovascular and respiratory mortality [33][34][35][36]. For both PM0.3-2.5 and PM0.3-10.0, the indoor concentrations were lower than outdoor levels ( Figure 10).…”

“…This is because: (i) the standard comfort zone is the thermal condition preferred by healthy adults, rather than vulnerable elderly residents; and (ii) previous studies indicate that the 20-24 • C comfort zone is not warm enough for older adults and older adults generally prefer a warmer environment than younger subjects [31,32]. Previous studies suggest association of particulate matter (PM) and its compounds with health problems in the elderly such as the acute respiratory inflammation, pneumonia, asthma chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, autonomic cardiac dysfunction, renal and cognitive deficit, and cardiovascular and respiratory mortality [33][34][35][36]. For both PM0.3-2.5 and PM0.3-10.0, the indoor concentrations were lower than outdoor levels ( Figure 10).…”

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