- By Prerna Targhotra
- Fri, 06 Dec 2024 05:53 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Poor Air Quality And Mental Health: The winter season in India also means peak air pollution during the winter months. In the past few days, the AQI of cities in India has been dangerously high, urging people to take care of their health accordingly and safeguard themselves from the wrath of air pollution. In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr Yogendra Singh, Psychiatrist - Mental Health & Behavioural Science, Fortis Hospital Greater Noida explained how poor air quality can affect one’s mental health.
According to Dr Singh, poor air quality is one of the major environmental health risks and the single biggest environmental threat to human health. Abnormal levels of particulate matter with different diameters, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide contribute to poor air quality. These cause inflammation in different body organs, which is implicated in both mental and physical conditions.
Mental health issues are caused by inflammation in peripheral and brain tissue, which leads to neurotoxic effects on numerous self-regulatory processes. Studies have shown changes to neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and their metabolites, within multiple brain regions.
Poor Air Quality And Mental Health
Exposure during pregnancy and early years has been linked with cognitive impairments. Various studies also indicate that poor air quality can be a factor for neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder etc. Adolescents getting exposed to poor-quality air are more prone to develop depression and psychosomatic disorders. In various studies, psychotic experiences were significantly more common among adolescents with the highest (top quartile) level of annual exposure to nitrogen dioxide.
Recent studies are showing associations of various sizes of particulate matter with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis and suicide in adults. In the geriatric population air pollution is associated with an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's. It has been also observed that the visits to mental health service centres are higher on days with poorer air quality.
Thus, it is evident that poor air quality can affect mental health both directly and indirectly. Air pollutants can have devastating effects on mental health. Methods and strategies to improve the air quality both indoors and outdoor can help improve mental health.
It is high time we stop neglecting our mental health and understand the seriousness of air pollution's adverse effects on our mental health. Taking care of our mental health can lead us to live a healthier, happier, and more fulfilled life.