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Researchers Now Have Even More Proof That Air Pollution Can Cause Dementia

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Researchers Now Have Even More Proof That Air Pollution Can Cause Dementia

Mother Jones,

5 min read
5 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

Can public policy lower rates of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases?

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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Scientific
  • Eye Opening
  • Hot Topic

Recommendation

Most people know that if they want to reduce their individual risk of cancer, a good first step is not to smoke. With an aging global population, dementia is a public health hazard on par with cancer. But how to reduce your risk? Aaron Reuben’s Mother Jones article highlights a solution. Unfortunately, it requires decisive action in the community, by the government, and globally. Quitting smoking is hard – but getting a broad public consensus leading to positive action is even harder. Read Reuben’s article if you need yet another reason to support environmental protection.

Summary

Take a deep breath. You probably just inhaled pollution pumped out by cars, power plants and other polluters. Tiny particles have now embedded themselves in the tissue that lines your lungs. More are now swimming in your blood stream. Your body, in an attempt to rid itself of these tiny particles, has initiated an immune response that, over years of pollution exposure, will create systemic inflammation throughout your body. So what is this systemic inflammation doing to your brain?

Experts now recognize air pollution as one factor that might lead to dementia, like smoking is one factor that might lead to cancer. What makes air pollution more...

About the Author

Aaron Reuben has covered environmental issues for Grist, Scientific American and The Atlantic. He lives in Washington, DC. 

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