Air pollution linked to increased dementia risk, study finds

UNDATED (WKRC) — A comprehensive analysis involving 56 million individuals has revealed that exposure to air pollution significantly raises the risk of developing a specific form of dementia.

Nature reported on the study, published in the journal Science on Sept. 4, indicates a clear connection between long-term exposure to PM2.5, airborne particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, and the onset of dementia in individuals with Lewy body dementia or Parkinson’s disease.

This form reportedly ranks as the third most common type after Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

Nature reported that Hui Chen, a clinician-neuroscientist at the University of Technology Sydney in Australia, said, “PM2.5 exposure does not necessarily induce Lewy body dementia, but accelerates the development,” in those who are already genetically predisposed to the condition.