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| illustration (Photo: Thinkstock) |
Air
pollution is not just related to respiratory problems alone, previous
studies have shown that air pollution is also associated with brain
damage. Recent research even suggests that air pollution can make the elderly more senile.
Researchers from the U.S. National Institute on Aging conducted a study involving 14,000 men and women aged over 50 years. The
study was conducted by examining the participants mental skills
associated with data from the Environmental Protection Agency about the
average level of air pollution.
The
study also takes into account factors such as age, race, ethnicity,
education, smoking habits, and conditions of the lungs and heart.
Results showed that the elderly who live in areas with high air pollution levels, has the mental ability test scores
lower than those living in low-pollution areas. Mental ability test results showed a decline in memory and language acquisition earlier decline in the elderly.
The high number of particles that pollute the air is proportional to the decline in mental abilities. The
thickness of the fine particulate matter in polluted air ranged from
4.1 to 20.7 micrograms per cubic meter, and every increase of 10 points
has been associated with a decline in mental ability test scores as much
as 0.36 points.
"The
test results showed that air pollution can cause premature aging of the
brain up to three years ahead," said the researchers.
These findings dipresentasi on 16 January in Gerontological Society of America meeting in San Francisco. This study is the first to show how exposure to air pollution can affect mental abilities elderly.
"Older
adults are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of exposure to air
pollution, because it can increase the risk of heart damage, breathing,
brain function and even premature death," said Jennifer Ailshire, of the
Center for Biodemography and Population Health at the U.S. National
Institute on Aging, as everydayhealth quoted on Monday (11/19/2012).
source: everydayhealth
