Exposure to Traffic Related Air Pollution Affects Brain Functions

04 Apr Exposure to Traffic Related Air Pollution Affects Brain Functions

Have a hard time breathing in the smog of car fumes?! Well, the problem doesn’t seem to go away anytime soon!

The impact of traffic pollution on health has already crossed an alarming stage. As the sky turns hazier and hazier with every passing day, people have started to link the effects of traffic pollution with emerging health issues.

The findings of a new study by the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria support the concern.

The growing evidence reinforces that even a couple of hours of exposure to traffic exhaust can disrupt your brain functions.

Researchers for the past few decades used to think there are no harmful effects of air pollution on the brain. However, this study recognized the cognitive impacts of traffic-derived pollution.

Traffic Pollution Effects on Health: Can Impair Brain Function

Here’s a detailed study of the published research.

Basis of the Study

Traffic pollution effects on health cover a broad spectrum which includes pregnancy issues, heart diseases, eye infections, hearing problems, and even different types of cancers.

In fact, traffic related air pollution health effects have led to approximately 5 million deaths worldwide.

And as if this was not enough, now even researchers have found a connection between air pollution due to traffic and cognitive health.

The study was conducted at UBC’s Air Pollution Exposure Laboratory, located at General Vancouver Hospital.

The state-of-the-art exposure booth mimics how it is likely to feel to breathe a variety of air pollutants.

Notably, it is the world’s first study to expose humans to pollutants in lab settings. The goal was to scrutinize the connection between air pollution due to traffic and neurobiology.

Method of Study

The research performed the first controlled human exposure study using:

• Functional MRI
• With an order-randomized double-blind crossover study

 For this the researchers used

• Diesel exhaust
• Filtered Air
• 25 healthy adults

Process of the Study

The controlled double-blind crossover design took place over the Air Pollution Exposure Lab.

For this, 25 healthy adults (11 female and 14 male with mean age of 27.4 years) were exposed to diesel exhaust and filtered air at different times in laboratory settings. 

The participants were immediately analyzed pre and post-exposure for comparison.

Each participant was tested in both controlled conditions i.e. exposure to filtered air and experimental condition i.e. diesel exhaust.

The order of exposure was randomized and counterbalanced between every participant.

Importantly, the exposure of FA or DE (nominal concentration: 300 µg of particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less [PM2.5]/m3) took place for 120 minutes i.e. 2 hours.

During the exposure, for the first quarter of each hour, participants cycled the stationary cycle with light effort for 15 minutes.

Later, all analyses were performed using tools within the functional MRI of the Brain Software Library.

This enabled the researchers to study each subject’s brain activity before and after each treatment.

Outcomes of The Study

The study focused on the Traffic Air Pollution Effects on the (DMN) Default Mode Network. This cortical brain region shows maximal activity during rest or during the internal thought process.

 The reports show a potent pattern of visible differences between the groups when analyzed post-exposure.

Notably, as compared to exposure to DE (Diesel Exhaust), participants exposed to FA (filtered Air) exhibited better functional connectivity in wide regions of DMN.

Simply state, exposure to DE (Diesel Exhaust) yielded a decrease in functional connectivity.

Clearly, traffic-related air pollution health effects, have managed to impact the brain and this study is proof.

Discussion

This study is the first of its kind to provide human evidence on air pollution due to traffic and its effect on brain power.

The peer-reviewed findings, published in the journal Environmental Health, clearly show that just even 2 hours of exposure to Diesel Exhaust, leads to a decline in the brain’s functional activity.

Though the previous studies suggest that exposure to air pollutant lead to a decline in functional activity, this research only approves and adds to the claims and previous findings.

It won’t be wrong to say that if only 2 hours of exposure to air pollutants can affect your brain power imagine what 4 hours of exposure every day, while you go to the job, could do to your cognition.

This research has raised hysteria and though its impact cannot be eliminated, people can take steps to minimize the effects.

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself from Traffic Pollution?

Undoubtedly, traffic pollution’s effects on health can manifest easily in your daily life.

It affects your performance and behavior. Adding to this, there is an obvious decline in memory and productivity at work and in academics as well.

Talking with personal experience, one needs time to recollect themselves in order to be productive after reaching the work pace.

Air pollution and health risks due to vehicle traffic are now regarded as health hazards and people need to be mindful to take necessary steps to minimize the effects of traffic pollution.

Here are some of the steps you can take to minimize the effect of traffic pollution on health.

#1. Wear Mask

Wearing a mask is a must these days. Not only because of COVID but also due to increased toxicity in the air. Masks are a must when you go out.

When choosing masks, try to choose those that won’t suffocate you.

Lucky for you, there are some masks with an exhale valve that can provide an airway when breathing. While it may not be your most attractive look, a pollution mask with an attached valve will help walkers breathe properly.

Though it’ll not completely prohibit the entrance of air pollutants, pollution masks can undoubtedly serve to be of great help.

#2. Choose a Less Busy Route

Who knew picking the routes wisely can have an impact on your health? Take time to discover a route to your work that is less busy.

A less populated one can be less polluted as well. Not only it’ll help you reach earlier but also protect your cognitive ability.

#3. Avoid Going Out During Busy Hours

If you’re going to work, it’s impossible to avoid the office hour rush.

However, if you have other plans or work from home, chose a different time from office hours to avoid the effects of noise pollution from traffic along with air pollution.

#4. Invest in Air Purifiers

If you are living in a busy city with poor air quality, you’ll not regret investing in the air purifier.

Home air purifiers have proven to be effective in the Western United States. If you’re living in San Francisco, Seattle, or Los Angeles, get an air purifier.

#5. Avoid Exercising in Polluted Surroundings

Check the air quality Index daily and plan to exercise accordingly. Make sure you don’t exercise outside when AQI is poor.

Exercising in the polluted surrounding is not going to serve any benefits. If you live in a city or near an industrial area, buy gym equipment, walk indoors, or do yoga.

With the passing years, air pollution due to traffic is only going to increase. To say less, this vicious cycle is not going to completely stop. Therefore, it’s better to take preventive steps from now on and also inculcate the habit in your children.

With the current study approving the traffic pollution effects on health including brain health, it’s high time to take the matter seriously.

Make Way for Brain Health

If the commute to your work isn’t easy, don’t think it only wastes your time. It might also jam your cognitive performance.

Yes, considering the reports of the above-mentioned study by the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria, it’s not completely wrong to say that.

If only 120 minutes of exposure to Dieses Exhaustion can impair the Default Mode Network of the brain, one can only imagine the impact of the same exposure for nearly 3-4 hours every day.

This eye-opening research volume the existing evidence of the health effects of traffic-related air pollution.

And while the government is taking necessary steps to keep the Air Quality Index under Control, you can make efforts to protect yourself.

What steps are you taking to dodge the adverse effects of traffic pollution? Do share some tips with our readers.

First Published (Journal of Environmental Health), 14 January 2023 – Brief diesel exhaust exposure impairs functional brain connectivity