A new study has found that just one hour of breathing polluted air can significantly affect how the brain and lungs function.
Air pollution, particularly fine particles known as particulate matter (PM), has long been linked to a range of health problems, including asthma and various types of cancer.
In the study, healthy adult volunteers were exposed for 60 minutes to five different air conditions: clean air, limonene SOA (a citrus-based compound commonly found in cleaning products), diesel exhaust, woodsmoke, and cooking emissions.
After exposure, participants were given a four-hour break before researchers assessed their lung performance, memory, attention, emotional processing, psychomotor response, and motor skills.
Results showed the most noticeable impact on lung function among those exposed to limonene, followed by woodsmoke, diesel fumes, and cooking emissions.
In terms of brain function, diesel exhaust had the strongest negative effect on executive functioning, which controls planning, focus, and emotional regulation.
Researchers suggested this may be due to nitrogen oxides in diesel emissions affecting blood flow to the brain and disrupting normal cognitive performance.
While the exposure period was short, scientists warned that repeated contact with polluted air could lead to long-term cognitive impairment and increase the risk of serious health conditions, including cancer.
