New studies show bad air may be as risky for our minds as it is for our bodies
By Elizabeth Barker
Breathing in dirty air day after day could harm your brain health as you get older, according to a recent study from the University of Southern California. Looking at data on nearly 15,000 older adults, researchers found that those with high levels of exposure to fine air particulate matter (a type of road-dust-generated pollution common in Los Angeles) scored lower on tests designed to gauge memory and thinking skills.
Once inhaled, fine air particulate matter could work its way into the brain and set off an inflammatory response that might weaken cognitive function, the study’s authors note. To curb your own exposure to such particles, try hitting the air-circulating button each time you drive and purifying your indoor air with the help of HEPA filtration.
