According to one new study published on JAMA psychiatry, there is a link between depressive and anxiety symptoms and regular breathing polluted air. The study focuses on an observation of 390,000 people in the UK, over an extended period of 11 ans (source 1).
THE fine particles of nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide are the most studied over this period. Especially since air quality standards are not aligned with WHO recommendations. For the researchers, “stricter pollution standards or regulations should be put in place”, according to the researchers, in view of the results of the study. Another, similar study looked at a specific segment of the population, people over 64 ans, in order to make the possible link with the late onset of depression and air pollution. Out of 8.9 million people, Medicare health insurance shed light 1.5 million cases of depression. Both studies noted the link between pollutants and inflammation in the brain.