Air pollution affecting our brain?

“… it’s a hugely exciting time to study the connections between pollution and the brain”,
says Michelle Block,  a neuroscientist at Indiana University.

The above excerpt is from The Polluted Brain — an article written by Emily Underwood.
(Published in the Science Magazine.)

Underwood writes:
“Some of the health risks of inhaling fine and ultrafine particles are well-established, such as asthma, lung cancer, and, most recently, heart disease. But a growing body of evidence suggests that exposure can also harm the brain, accelerating cognitive aging, and may even increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.”

18 epidemiological studies — done by scientists from Germany, United Kingdom, United States, and other countries — are raising serious concerns about the health risks associated with air pollution.

Even more alarming is the effect air pollution has on children.
Studies show a significant drop in their IQ
when they live in or nearby highly polluted areas.

Throughout the article reference is made to the work and studies of numerous neuroscientists, from U.S. and abroad; and what are some of the known effects on people and animals.

Underwood concludes with:
“…the goal for policymakers worldwide should be to push down levels as far as possible.”

And cites Finch, a USC neuroscientist:

“When all the research is in,
I think [air pollution] will turn out to be just the same as
tobacco—there’s no safe threshold.”

Mariana Fieraru

Mariana Fieraru, an Eastern European transplant, fell in love with her new home shortly after landing in New York. She "discovered" pizza! Years later she still loves pizza. And so do her two feathered-kids, Sunny and Flipper

Mariana worked on both, the east and the west coast.
Big or small, each project she worked on helped define the importance of gaining and sustaining a competitive edge in an increasingly complex business environment.

Business know-how, love of teaching and writing – all combined in 2006 to form OBI.
Its mission: to make learning fun! And easy.

Through its training, consulting, and publications OBI builds bridges of knowledge to take you from where you are to
where you want to go. Using a mix of serious, informal, analytical, and optimistic approach, OBI truly makes learning fun.

Learn More