Not just bad for your lungs; air pollution damages your brain
A study from McMaster University reveals that air pollution negatively impacts brain health in addition to lung health. Researchers found that long-term exposure to common air pollutants was linked to measurable declines in cognitive performance among Canadians. The findings suggest that while the declines are not severe, they can be detected early, allowing for potential preventive measures.
- ▪The study involved approximately 7,000 Canadians and assessed their exposure to air pollutants over five years.
- ▪Higher exposure to fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide was associated with lower scores on cognitive tests.
- ▪Air pollution in Canada has improved overall, but recent climate-driven wildfires have affected air quality.
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HamiltonNot just bad for your lungs; air pollution damages your brain, McMaster University researchers sayA study out of Hamilton's McMaster University looked at how exposure to common air pollutants affected the performance of about 7,000 Canadians on tests of brain health.Research shows it's possible to measure early declines in brain health caused by pollutionJustin Chandler · CBC News · Posted: May 29, 2026 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: May 29PlayListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur.
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