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Is there a link between air pollution and impaired memory? Evidence on 34,000 english citizens
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Abstract
It is known that people feel less happy in areas with higher levels of nitrogen dioxide NO2 (MacKerron and Mourato, 2009). What else might air pollution do to human wellbeing? This paper uses data on a standardized word-recall test that was done in the year 2011 by 34,000 randomly sampled English citizens across 318 geographical areas. We find that human memory is worse in areas where NO2 and PM10 levels are greater. The paper provides both (i) OLS results and (ii) instrumental-variable estimates that exploit the direction of the prevailing westerly wind and levels of population density. Although caution is always advisable on causal interpretation, these results are concerning and are consistent with laboratory studies of rats and other non-human animals. Our estimates suggest that the difference in memory quality between England’s cleanest and most-polluted areas is equivalent to the loss of memory from 10 extra years of ageing.
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... Although the traditional body of literature on air pollution focuses on direct health impacts (Graff Zivin and Neidell 2013), recent work suggests that exposure has broader implications, such as reduced worker productivity (Chang et al. 2016), human capital formation (Ebenstein et al. 2016), and cognitive capabilities (Powdthavee and Oswald 2020). Failing to consider these (harder-to-measure) sub-clinical effects can lead policymakers to underestimate the negative impacts of contaminated air on human societies (Aguilar-Gomez et al. 2022). ...
This study explores the relationship between air pollution and judicial rulings. Although environmental factors should not affect judicial decisions, realists contend that there is substantial room for external factors to transpire into sentencing and sway human reasoning. We hypothesize that air pollution is one of these factors. Using Poisson panel models and instrumental variable techniques, we show that exposure leads to more convictions. We posit that this effect occurs because the impact of exposure on the central nervous system changes the cognitive performance and empathy of judges. Back-of-the-envelope calculations suggest that decreasing average air pollution in India by one standard deviation would lead to up to 145,000 fewer convictions regarding currently active cases.
... Consequently, this increases the proportion of psychiatric, mental (Buioli et al. 2018), and premature deaths (Lelieveld et al. 2015). Additionally, studies show that elevated air pollution levels have affected cognitive ability (Zhang et al. 2018), resulted in impaired memory and recollection (Powdthavee et al. 2020), and reduced life expectancy regardless of gender and socioeconomic background (Ebenstein et al. 2017). ...
The primary focus of this research is to establish a link between air quality, weather patterns, and climate dynamics. Employing a correlative methodology, the study aims to investigate the association between air pollution levels and the occurrence frequency of acid rain events. To accomplish this, extensive quantitative meteorological data gathered from weather stations situated in the Midwestern United States over a span of five years will be analyzed. The ultimate objective of this research paper is to underscore the significance of incorporating air particulate matter considerations in weather forecasting and prediction models, highlighting its potential implications for making atmospheric and weather assessments.
... Universal air pollution provides research conditions to understand its impact on memory. Many scholars have discussed the relationship between air pollution and memory in different countries, such as the United States (Weuve et al. 2012;Gatto et al. 2014), the United Kingdom (Powdthavee and Oswald 2020), Sweden (Wu et al. 2022), Spain (Sunyer et al. 2015;Rivas et al. 2019), and South Korea (Shin et al. 2019). ...
AimAlthough extensive research has been conducted on the potential relationship between air pollution and residents’ health in China, and few studies examine the potential impact of air pollution in Chinese cities on cognition and its impact mechanism.Subject and methodsUsing nationally representative data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study discusses the potential impact of exposure to air pollution on Chinese residents’ memory and the mediating effect of health, thereby filling the gaps in the literature. The highlights of this study are as follows: (1) the use of a ventilation coefficient and environmental regulations as instrumental variables and (2) the use of a two-stage least squares (2SLS) model to solve the potential endogeneity problems caused by air pollution and memory, which may be mutually causal or fail to control more dependent variables.ResultsThe findings revealed that exposure to air pollution might adversely affect memory. With other control variables unchanged, a 1-μg/m3 increase in particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) decreased the memory score by 0.274 (95% CI: –0.361 to –0.188). The impact of air pollution on memory was partly indirect through physical rather than mental health. The mediating effect of self-rated health was −0.00667, which accounted for 2.430% of the total product.Conclusion
This study provides suggestions for avoiding memory loss, maintaining health, and formulating policies based on changing air quality in the future.
... Хүн амын төвлөрөл, түүнийг дагасан түүхий нүүрсний хэрэглээ, автомашины утаа зэрэг нь агаарын бохирдлын гол эх үүсвэр болж хүн амын эрүүл мэндэд сөргөөр нөлөөлж байна [1][2][3]. Агаарын бохирдол нь зүрх судасны болон амьсгалын замын өвчлөл [4][5][6], чихрийн шижин болон цусны даралт ихдэлт [7], сэтгэц мэдрэлийн өвчлөл [8], ой тогтоолт муудах [9] зэрэгт нөлөөлж байна. ...
Энэ ажлаар агаарын РМ2.5 тоосонцорд цаг уурын параметрүүд болон температур, чийгшил, даралт, салхины хурд хэрхэн нөлөөлж байгааг куантайль регресс арга ашиглан судлав. Куантайль регресс нь хувьсагчдын хамаарлыг том зургаар харах боломжийг олгодог. Цаг уурын параметр тус бүр нь агаарын бохирдолд хэрхэн нөлөөлж байгааг судлахаас гадна аль параметр агаарын бохирдолд илүү нөлөөлж байгааг куантайль регресс ашиглан судалсан. Судалгааны үр дүнгээс үзэхэд температур болон салхины хурд агаарын бохирдолд илүү нөлөөтэй байв. Мөн температур, салхины хурд бага үед РМ2.5 тоосонцрын түгэлтийн варианс их байсан бол температур, салхины хурд их үед варианс бага байв.
... For instance, Laffan (2018) proposes decreasing physical activity and time outdoors as potential channels. Powdthavee and Oswald (2020) show that air pollutants negatively affect memory and possibly increase the risk of dementia in later life. ...
We show that individuals report lower life satisfaction in response to worsening air quality if young children are present in the household. This observed impact is driven by the subpopulation of mothers, and it attenuates as children grow older. We conclude that mothers' disproportionate responsibility for child-rearing and children's higher vulnerability to air pollution are the likely channels that mediate the relationship. Our findings provide robust evidence on the importance of taking the presence of young children and parental family roles into account when calculating the monetary value of air quality using the life satisfaction approach.
... The example of air pollution in chapter 3 also illustrates the benefit of 'looking over the shoulder' at wellbeing knowledge: it is from studies such as Luechinger (2009), but also some of the UK work on the same topic by Dolan and Laffan (2016) and Powdthavee and Oswald (2020), that it was discovered that there are significant wellbeing gains of reduced air pollution. One might think that this was already known from the extensive work in the medical literature on the physical health effects of air pollution and that the wellbeing literature merely discovered another way of measuring the same link. ...
The fourth chapter is targeted mainly at readers who wish to quantify how much benefits and costs are generated by future or existing policies and programmes. The chapter compares the authors’ basic methodology for wellbeing cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) with existing approaches to decide on public resource allocations. The main comparison is with cost-benefit analysis (CBA), but they also compare it with multi-criterion approaches, social rates of return analyses, and business case scenarios or impact assessments. The authors start with a quick reminder of their basic methodology for wellbeing CEA, after which they sketch the current practice of CBA, highlighting the differences in a stylized, non-technical manner. They also sketch the relationship between WELLBYs (wellbeing years) and QALYs (quality-adjusted life-years), deriving a proper translation between the two measures, which will culminate in the important distinction between the individual willingness-to-pay for a WELLBY and the social costs of producing a WELLBY. They then answer some crucial questions as to how more wellbeing knowledge can be incorporated into existing approaches, including the question of the monetization of wellbeing effects for current-practice CBA. Apart from analysts, this chapter is also of interest to academics in the fields of health and wellbeing as it discusses in depth the differences between WELLBYs and QALYs. The discussion on wellbeing approaches from around the world is of importance to all those tasked with embedding wellbeing into their own country’s public-sector systems.
The pressing issue of water scarcity in the Southwestern United States has been a topic of increasing concern in recent years. To address this critical problem, this research-driven essay aims to conduct an in-depth earth systems analysis to evaluate the complexities and implications of water shortages in the region. The study centers on three main objectives: (1) identifying the underlying reasons for water deficits, (2) assessing the specific impacts of these shortages on the Southwestern United States, and (3) proposing potential solutions to mitigate the crisis.To achieve the first objective, a comprehensive investigation into the root causes of water shortages in the Southwestern United States will be undertaken. This analysis will encompass a multi-faceted approach, incorporating climatic, hydrological, ecological, and socio-economic factors. Through the utilization of advanced modeling techniques and extensive data collection, this research aims to uncover the intricate interactions between natural and human systems that contribute to the scarcity of water in the region.Subsequently, the study will focus on a case-by-case examination of the impacts that water shortages have had on the Southwestern United States. By adopting a localized perspective, the research will delve into specific regions within the Southwestern United States, enabling a nuanced understanding of the varying consequences faced by different communities and ecosystems. The analysis will encompass diverse aspects such as agricultural productivity, urban water supply, ecosystem health, and societal resilience to illuminate the multifaceted repercussions of water deficits in the region.Finally, this research will propose potential solutions to address the water crisis in the Southwestern United States. Drawing upon the knowledge gained from the earth systems analysis, a range of strategies will be presented, including innovative water management practices, conservation efforts, policy interventions, and technological advancements. By exploring these mitigation options, the study aims to foster sustainable water management practices that can serve as effective remedies for the prevailing water shortages in the American Southwest.The essay’s ultimate goal is to demonstrate the power and efficacy of conducting an earth systems analysis in comprehending and addressing complex water scarcity challenges. By shedding light on the intricate interplay of various components within the Southwestern United States, this study endeavors to serve as a valuable reference for scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders dealing with water-scarce regions worldwide. Emphasizing the significance of adopting a holistic approach in water resource management, this research endeavors to inspire further investigations and encourage the implementation of earth systems analyses in other regions facing similar water scarcity concerns.
This study examines the health consequences of prenatal exposure to air pollution by combining child health data from an original survey with the Air Pollution Index (API) from official Chinese statistics. Our results show that exposure to air pollution in late trimester (four-week windows before delivery) is negatively associated with health outcomes in children in the short and long terms. One standard deviation increase in the API in the final 28 days before delivery decreased birth weight and length by 0.388 and 0.458, respectively, in z-scores and lowered the weight-for-age and height-for-age by 0.370 and 0.441, respectively, in z-scores at 13-15 years post-exposure. Although the timing of exposure and its consequences have been the subject of debate in existing literature, our results focus on four-week windows and demonstrate that exposure during the late pregnancy period may have adverse health effects on children. We conducted analyses that accounted for potential covariates and omitted variables, and our results remain robust and statistically significant. We also found gender heterogeneous effects that girls are more vulnerable to fetal air pollution exposure than boys. Our findings uncover fetal and child health risks regarding air pollution and reinforce the importance of policies for mitigating air pollution in developing countries.
Air pollution resulting from exhaust emissions of vehicles has risen in the recent years, reportedly causing major adverse effects on the heart, lungs and the brain. Though respiratory and cardiovascular effects of these emissions are well identified, psychological and neurobiological complications of prolonged exposure to vehicle emissions remain unknown. Pro-oxidants are considered as major constituents of vehicle emissions. This is important considering causal link between oxidative stress and behavioral and cognitive impairments. We hypothesized that prolonged exposure to pro-oxidants in vehicle emissions result in behavioral and cognitive deficits. We developed a simulated vehicle exhaust exposure model in rats. The model used a simulated mixture of vehicle exhaust that comprised of pro-oxidant constituents of exhaust, namely, carbon dioxide (13%), carbon monoxide (0.68%) and nitrogen dioxide (1000 ppm) in air. Rats were exposed either to a high (1:10 dilution) or low (∼1:1000 dilution) physiologically relevant dose of simulated mixture in air for two weeks in separate experiments followed by a comprehensive behavioral and cognitive analysis. We observed that prolonged exposure to pro-oxidants in vehicle exhaust increased anxiety-and depression-like behavior as well as led to impaired memory in rats. This is important preclinical evidence, particularly relevant to human population exposed to high vehicular traffic.
Background
Dementia risk reduction is a major and growing public health priority. While certain modifiable risk factors for dementia have been identified, there remains a substantial proportion of unexplained risk. There is evidence that environmental risk factors may explain some of this risk. Thus, we present the first comprehensive systematic review of environmental risk factors for dementia.
Methods
We searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases from their inception to January 2016, bibliographies of review articles, and articles related to publically available environmental data. Articles were included if they examined the association between an environmental risk factor and dementia. Studies with another outcome (for example, cognition), a physiological measure of the exposure, case studies, animal studies, and studies of nutrition were excluded. Data were extracted from individual studies which were, in turn, appraised for methodological quality. The strength and consistency of the overall evidence for each risk factor identified was assessed.
Results
We screened 4784 studies and included 60 in the review. Risk factors were considered in six categories: air quality, toxic heavy metals, other metals, other trace elements, occupational-related exposures, and miscellaneous environmental factors. Few studies took a life course approach. There is at least moderate evidence implicating the following risk factors: air pollution; aluminium; silicon; selenium; pesticides; vitamin D deficiency; and electric and magnetic fields.
Conclusions
Studies varied widely in size and quality and therefore we must be circumspect in our conclusions. Nevertheless, this extensive review suggests that future research could focus on a short list of environmental risk factors for dementia. Furthermore, further robust, longitudinal studies with repeated measures of environmental exposures are required to confirm these associations.
Existing research on the adverse health effects of exposure to pollution has devoted relatively little attention to the potential
impact of ambient air pollution on cognitive function in older adults. We examined the cross-sectional association between
residential concentrations of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) and cognitive function in older adults. Using hierarchical linear modeling, we analyzed data from the 2004 Health and Retirement
Study, a large, nationally representative sample of US adults aged 50 years or older. We linked participant data with 2000
US Census tract data and 2004 census tract–level annual average PM2.5 concentrations. Older adults living in areas with higher PM2.5 concentrations had worse cognitive function (β = −0.26, 95% confidence interval: −0.47, −0.05) even after adjustment for
community- and individual-level social and economic characteristics. Results suggest that the association is strongest for
the episodic memory component of cognitive function. This study adds to a growing body of research highlighting the importance
of air pollution to cognitive function in older adults. Improving air quality in large metropolitan areas, where much of the
aging US population resides, may be an important mechanism for reducing age-related cognitive decline.
Although there is strong evidence that short-term exposure to particulate matter is associated with health risks, less is known about whether some subpopulations face higher risks. We identified 108 papers published after 1995 and summarized the scientific evidence regarding effect modification of associations between short-term exposure to particulate matter and the risk of death or hospitalization. We performed a meta-analysis of estimated mortality associations by age and sex. We found strong, consistent evidence that the elderly experience higher risk of particular matter--associated hospitalization and death, weak evidence that women have higher risks of hospitalization and death, and suggestive evidence that those with lower education, income, or employment status have higher risk of death. Meta-analysis showed a statistically higher risk of death of 0.64% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.50, 0.78) for older populations compared with 0.34% (95% CI: 0.25, 0.42) for younger populations per 10 μg/m(3) increase of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm. Women had a slightly higher risk of death of 0.55% (95% CI: 0.41, 0.70) compared with 0.50% (95% CI: 0.34, 0.54) for men, but these 2 risks were not statistically different. Our synthesis on modifiers for risks associated with particulate matter can aid the design of air quality policies and suggest directions for future research. Studies of biological mechanisms could be informed by evidence of differential risks by population, such as by sex and preexisting conditions.
Using a rich Italian cross-sectional dataset, we estimate the effect of a neighborhood problems aggregate (including pollution, crime, and noise) on self-assessed health, presence of chronic conditions and limitations in daily activities. We address the self-selection of the residents in their neighborhoods, as well as the possible endogeneity of income with respect to health, through instrumental variable methods and several endogeneity tests. The main novelty is the sound estimation of the neighborhood effect on health using observational data, which has the advantage of providing general results that are not dependent on any experimental design. This allows us to fully compare the neighborhood effect with the traditional socioeconomic determinants of health. Our main findings are that low quality neighborhoods are strongly health damaging. This effect is comparable to the primary/upper secondary education health differential and is even higher than the impact that poor economic circumstances have on health.
Gasoline content regulations are designed to curb pollution and improve health, but their impact on health has not been quantified. By exploiting both the timing of the regulation and spatial variation in children's exposure to highways, I estimate the effect of gasoline content regulation on pollution and child health. The introduction of cleaner-burning gasoline in California in 1996 reduced asthma admissions by 8 percent in high exposure areas. Reductions are greatest for areas downwind from highways and heavy traffic areas. Stringent gasoline content regulations can improve child health, and may diminish existing health disparities.
Cognitive performance during high-stakes exams can be affected by
random disturbances that, even if transitory, may have permanent
consequences. We evaluate this hypothesis among Israeli students
who took a series of matriculation exams between 2000 and 2002.
Exploiting variation across the same student taking multiple exams,
we find that transitory PM2.5 exposure is associated with a significant
decline in student performance. We then examine these students in
2010 and find that PM2.5 exposure during exams is negatively
associated with post-secondary educational attainment and earnings.
The results highlight how reliance on noisy signals of student quality
can lead to allocative inefficiency.
By using data on self-rated life satisfaction as an empirical indicator of well-being, this paper estimates the valuation of two major air pollutants differentiated by people’s age category (stage in the life cycle) and birth cohort. Life satisfaction regressions involving about 59,000 individuals in 10 European countries, 1990–1997, imply that, consistent with epidemiological evidence, both life-cycle and cohort effects exist in the valuation of air quality. The age and cohort dependence of the sensitivity to air pollution translates into considerable differences in the valuation of clean air.
This paper analyses the effect of retirement on cognitive functioning using a longitudinal survey among older Americans, which allows controlling for individual heterogeneity and endogeneity of the retirement decision by using the eligibility age for social security as an instrument. The results highlight a significant negative effect of retirement on cognitive functioning. Our findings suggest that reforms aimed at promoting labour force participation at an older age may not only ensure the sustainability of social security systems but may also create positive health externalities for older individuals.