Traffic-related air pollution linked to increased risk of dementia

(Image: Pixabay CC0) - Higher exposure to a certain type of traffic-related air pollution called particulate matter may be linked to an increased risk of dementia, according to a meta-analysis by Western researchers published this week in Neurology , the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. While at Western, graduate student Dr. Ehasan Abolhasani specifically looked at fine particulate matter which consists of pollutant particles of less than 2.5 microns in diameter suspended in air. The meta-analysis, which was part of his graduate work, included all available studies on air pollution and risk of dementia. "As people continue to live longer, conditions like dementia are becoming more common, so detecting and understanding preventable risk factors is key to reducing the increase of this disease," said Abolhasani. "Since a report by the World Health Organization showed that more than 90 per cent of the world population is living in areas with higher than recommended levels of air pollution, our results provide more evidence for enforcing regulations for air quality and accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energies." Working alongside Janet Martin, professor at Western's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry , Abolhasani reviewed 17 studies that included more than 91 million people over the age of 40. Of those, 5.5 million people, or six per cent, developed dementia.