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Cause fine dust brain damage due to dirty air
It has been known for a long time that particulate matter poses a health hazard and can be used at high loads, e.g. Can cause cancer or a heart attack. In addition to the small particles but apparently can seriously damage the brain. This is currently reported by a US research team.
On average, around 47,000 deaths due to dust pollution
The so-called "fine dust" repeatedly causes serious discussions. The reason: The tiny particles pose a health hazard, e.g. damage the respiratory tract, aggravate lung diseases such as asthma or smoker's lung, or even cause a heart attack or stroke. According to the Federal Environment Agency alone, this would mean that an average of around 47,000 deaths would be attributable to particulate matter pollution in this country alone.
Subjects show noticeable changes in brain structures
In addition to the known consequences, the dust could possibly have another, insidious effect. As researchers from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Boston University School of Medicine have discovered, the particles may also damage the brain. The researchers came to this conclusion in a study in which they examined the brain volume of the participants by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
It was found that the brain structures of the subjects who lived on major roads, showed noticeable changes in the brain volume was lower on average and "covert" or symptomless brain infarcts were. Cerebral infarction is the most common type of stroke that occurs as a result of a sudden supply of oxygen and / or nutrients to the brain, which is also referred to as "ischemic" or "white" stroke.
Dirty air increases risk of breastfeeding by 46%
The researchers found that the more it was exposed to particulate matter, the older the brain appeared. Accordingly, volunteers living in an area with about two micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter of air had a 46% increased risk of a "silent" stroke. "This is worrying as we know that silent heart attacks increase the risk of open stroke, development of dementia, walking and depression issues," said Sudsha Seshadri of the Boston University School of Medicine in a statement by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centers.
Road traffic as the main source of dust
However, the question remains open as to how air pollution affects the aging of the brain, the statement goes on. Because fine dust comes from various sources such. Emissions from motor vehicles, power plants and district heating plants or stoves and heaters in residential buildings. In addition, however, it may also be of natural origin, e.g. as a result of soil erosion. In cities, however, road traffic is the main source of dust, with the dust not only coming from (diesel) engines, but also from braking and tire wear and whirling up the road.
Accordingly, further studies should now follow, said Prof. Sudha Seshadri. "We now plan to monitor more closely the effects of air pollution over a longer period of time, its effect on sensitive MRI measurements, brain shrinkage over time, and other risks that include stroke and dementia." (Nr)
Picture: Joerg Trampert