The impact of air pollution on children's mental health

Arabia Weather - The problem of air pollution is a well-known global problem, and is more evident in industrialized and developed countries. It poses a major challenge to the World Health Organization due to the multiple health risks that can damage various organs of the body, not just the lungs. For a decade, air pollutants have been considered a risk factor that increases the risk of heart disease and respiratory disease. The younger the person, the greater the effect and the deteriorating health condition.

What does air pollution mean?

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA Network Open) showed that air pollution can also affect the mental health of children who are exposed to large amounts of polluted air as they grow up, and its impact is not limited to organic health only.

The term "polluted air" refers to the change in the composition of the air in the atmosphere due to solid materials such as metals and fine particles, and due to high concentrations of various gaseous substances that exceed permissible limits. These substances are emitted from various sources such as automobile exhaust, chemicals in factories, and dust particles. Green areas and trees play an important role in purifying the air and increasing the level of oxygen in it, thus neutralizing those pollutants. However, in large cities and industrial areas, green spaces are not enough to compensate for these dangers.

A study conducted by researchers from Duke University in the United States showed that young people in the United Kingdom who were exposed to increasing amounts of air pollution during their childhood and adolescence were more likely to develop symptoms of psychological and health disorders, and this was especially true for those who lived in large cities that suffered from traffic congestion and exhaust emissions. Cars, such as nitrogen oxides.

A study of the impact of air pollution on humans

Data were collected on about 2,000 people born in England and Wales between 1994 and 1995, and were followed until they reached young adulthood. The researchers analyzed air pollution levels in cities and counties in England and Wales, including concentrations of various gases and fine particles in the air. They discovered that 22% of the individuals in the sample were exposed to air pollution in quantities that significantly exceeded the permissible limits set by the World Health Organization for nitrogen oxide, while 84% of them breathed larger amounts of fine particles.

The results showed that psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression were more prevalent among individuals exposed to higher amounts of these pollutants. It was discovered that the greatest effect was on people who were younger when exposed to these polluted conditions, with symptoms usually appearing around the age of 18. The researchers point out the importance of their study in knowing the relationship between air pollution and mental health, and how air quality can be improved in large cities to reduce this negative impact.

The impact of air pollution on children's mental health

Scientists stressed the importance of taking the results of this study into consideration for early detection of psychological disorders in children living in areas suffering from high environmental pollution. They relied on previous evidence from experimental studies on mice that indicated the negative effects that the body's exposure to air pollutants could have. They provided possible explanations for how these pollutants affect the nervous system and brain, indicating the possibility of immune inflammation resulting from the deposition of fine particles in the body and their arrival to the brain through blood circulation. This inflammation of the body can be the primary part of the harmful effects on the brain and nervous system.

Another explanation suggests that direct harm to the brain could result from polluted particles inhaled through the nose, which in turn may damage brain cells and nerve communications.

Regarding the proposed directives and procedures, scientists warned of the danger of exposure to pollutants and pointed out the necessity of moving sources of harmful emissions, such as power generators, waste incinerators, and factories, to areas far from residential areas, schools, and clubs. They also advised searching for alternative sources of energy that do not pollute the environment. They recommended that parents avoid living on highways and main streets crowded with vehicles as much as possible, given the danger they pose to children. They called on governments to pay attention to the environment and preserve green areas.

Source: aawsat