How Pollution is Messing with Our Minds
Recent studies suggest that current air quality regulations may be insufficient to protect the brain from harmful effects of particulate matter (PM2.5). Research by Anthony Wexler at UC Davis has linked PM2.5 exposure to neurological problems like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and autism.
In the expansive landscape of environmental health, air quality has long been associated with respiratory and cardiovascular concerns. Yet, a growing body of research suggests that the regulations currently in place to limit particulate matter in the air—specifically, those particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5)—may be insufficient to protect another crucial organ: the brain.
Recent studies out of the University of California, Davis, spearheaded by Dr. Anthony Wexler, point to a disturbing connection between air pollution and the onset of severe neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and autism. These findings, presented during the twelfth edition of the "Current Panorama of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change 2024" conference, hosted by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), raise critical questions about the adequacy of current air quality standards.
