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Everyone knows that air pollution hurts our health: it kills seven million people each year. However, little is known about its impact on our mental well-being. New research has revealed a link between polluted areas and the increase in the number of cases of psychiatric disorders.
In a study published on the PLOS Biology Journal, scientists found that areas in the United States where air quality was the worst showed a 27% increase in the number of bipolar diagnoses and a 6% increase in the number of cases of depression by compared to the national average.
The researchers have certainly confirmed the existence of a link, but they argue that the report does not prove that air pollution is a direct cause of mental illness, but rather shows that "there is no link". a person could be at increased risk if they lived in a polluted area.
The study looked at 11 years of health insurance data for 151 million people in the United States, focusing on people who filed claims for bipolar disorder, depression, personality disorders, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. Scientists then badyzed data on the quality of air, water and soil, observing areas of overlapping insurance claims and pollution rates.
Leading a similar study in Denmark to try to replicate the results, the researchers examined the link between mental illness and a person's degree of exposure to air pollution during childhood, the results corroborate the US report. Previous research in London has also found that growing up in polluted areas increases the risk of developing depression in adolescents.
Although climate change is at the forefront of global discussions – with youth seemingly more concerned than ever – air pollution is often not considered household anxiety. It is encouraging to see studies like this, as well as a new generation of activists, trying to rework the public image of air pollution, raising awareness of its many effects.
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