It used to be speculation that air pollution might cause damage to the brain. Science has now confirmed that people who spend a lot of time in areas with polluted air are more likely to be affected by mental disorders.
Several studies show that children who grow up in polluted areas tend to end up in emergency rooms due to mental health problems. 1 in 7 children already suffer one mental health disorder or the other.
Air polluted by toxic gases, metals and chemicals are the causes of air pollution. Air can be polluted by traffic, power plants, fires and chemicals.
Because of these particles’ small sizes, people easily breathe them in. When people breathe polluted air for long periods, the particles in the polluted air penetrate into the body and ruin the lungs. When the lungs are struggling, air cannot be circulated. Over time, the brain which is deprived of oxygen starts to suffer from the stress and the cells that help maintain mental health become inflamed.
Researchers in the university of Washington say that the higher the pollution, the greater the impact on health.
