According to the research done by the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is observed that 9 out of every ten people are breathing bad quality of air.
Due to air pollution, we start suffering from various health problems such as respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, and neurovascular related health problems.
Also, long-time exposure to air pollution result in neurocognitive effects, and it is responsible for behavioral disorders.
Ultimately, this results in various mental health problems. That is the reason, WHO has included mental health in the category of no communicable diseases (NCDs).
At present, approximately 300 million people around the world are experiencing mental disorders such as depression.
Depression is considered as one of the three main causes of Disability-adjusted Life Years (DALYs). If a person is suffering from DALY, then it is equivalent to 1 lost year of a healthy life.
As per the research conducted by the Chinese experts, each one standard deviation results in an increase in particulate matter concentration of PM2.5 elevate the probability of mental illness and depression by 6.67%.
Particulate matter in the air is extremely small in size and therefore can easily move inside our bloodstream and the nervous system.
These substances lead to inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain and trigger various mental health-related problems.
People who are residing in an urban area are highly susceptible to various dangerous mental health problems caused by air pollution.
Harmful Effects of Air Pollution on Our Mental Health
Do you know that indoor air pollution is the main reason for mental health problems? People who are living in metro cities are already stressed due to work and life problems.
Air pollution is one more addition that causes mental health problems. Stress is not just harmful to our mental health but also degrades our immune system.
To reduce the stress level, you should invest in stress-reducing things such as seat riser cushion. You can use this comfortable cushion while sitting at your office chair or while driving.
This will help you to sit the whole day comfortably long and let you breathe a sigh of relief.
If chronic stress is combined with air pollution, then it makes you feel mentally and physically exhausted. Also, degrading air quality results in less productivity.
There was one more research conducted by the Chinese experts, and it was observed that particulate matter in the air also results in reduced person’s verbal and analytical abilities.
Also, scientists and doctors in England monitoring 250 children to find the harmful effects of city air pollution on their mental and physical wellbeing.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Usually, people consider only outdoor air pollution. But do you know Indoor Air Quality matters a lot? It is so because we spent most of our time in confined indoor space, whether it is the workplace or your home.
Nowadays, indoor air pollution is becoming a major reason for mental and physical health problems. This problem is more prevalent in highly populated cities.
It is proven the fact that our indoor space is ten times more polluted as compared to the outdoor area. There are various sources that are contributing to indoor pollution such as cloth upholstery, pet dander, and cooking activities, etc.
Moreover, electronic devices also release formaldehyde in small quantity that contributes to indoor air pollution. The level of indoor air pollution is really high in that house where solid fuel is used.
How Air Pollution Affects Our Brains?
The smallest air pollutants like particulate matter, also known as PM2.5s, can easily pass the membrane and enter inside the brain, affecting our mental health.
There is one more possibility that is increased inflammation in our body. One-third of pollution also affecting our DNA activity and causing epigenetic changes.
It usually results in varying levels of brain chemicals. But according to the Fisher stresses caution: “These are very tentative mechanisms”.
Evidence Indicates Rising Air Pollution
The person of all ages affected by the harmful results of air pollution. According to various studies, low indoor air quality results in low productivity.
Ultra-small particles such as particulate matter, usually made up of dust and gases, can enter inside the cerebral organs.
These particles enter our body through our respiratory tract and then move the bloodstream, finally try to reach the cerebral organs.
According to the experiments conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, it was observed that particulate matter is more dangerous in cold climate regions.
According to Health Scientists, if a person suffering from brain inflammation and hormonal imbalance, then one of the main causes is the polluted environment and high-stress level.
According to research conducted by Columbia University, when stress is integrated with bad air quality, then it usually results in behavioral problems among children and adults.
Dyna holds a degree in health and fitness, has worked as a health instructor for over a decade at some very prominent health related organization and basically a writer by heart.
Air pollution is one more addition that causes mental health problems. Stress is not just harmful to our mental health but also degrades our immune system.