Air pollution is not just related to respiratory problems alone, previous studies have shown that air pollution is also associated with brain damage. Recent research even suggests that air pollution can make the elderly more senile.
Researchers from the U.S. National Institute on Aging conducted a study involving 14,000 men and women aged over 50 years. The study was conducted by examining the participants mental skills associated with data from the Environmental Protection Agency about the average level of air pollution.
The study also takes into account factors such as age, race, ethnicity, education, smoking habits, and conditions of the lungs and heart.
Results showed that the elderly who live in areas with high air pollution levels, has the mental ability test scores
lower than those living in low-pollution areas. Mental ability test results showed a decline in memory and language acquisition earlier decline in the elderly.
The high number of particles that pollute the air is proportional to the decline in mental abilities. The thickness of the fine particulate matter in polluted air ranged from 4.1 to 20.7 micrograms per cubic meter, and every increase of 10 points has been associated with a decline in mental ability test scores as much as 0.36 points.
"The test results showed that air pollution can cause premature aging of the brain up to three years ahead," said the researchers.
These findings dipresentasi on 16 January in Gerontological Society of America meeting in San Francisco. This study is the first to show how exposure to air pollution can affect mental abilities elderly.
"Older adults are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of exposure to air pollution, because it can increase the risk of heart damage, breathing, brain function and even premature death," said Jennifer Ailshire, of the Center for Biodemography and Population Health at the U.S. National Institute on Aging, as quoted from everydayhealth
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