bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

Urban air pollution, mostly from vehicles, is associated with an increased risk of dementia, according to new research.
The link remained even after heavy drinking, smoking and other well established risk factors for dementia were ruled out, the researchers reported in medical journal BMJ Open.
Worldwide, about seven per cent of people over 65 suffer from Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia, a percentage that rises to 40 per cent above the age of 85.
The number afflicted worldwide is expected to nearly triple by 2050, posing a huge challenge to health care systems.
Mental health app may be lifesaver as Asia braces for dementia spike
“Primary prevention of all dementia is a major global public health concern for the coming decades,” the researchers wrote.
Chemicals in vehicle exhaust emissions such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and soot are known to boost the risk of heart disease, stroke and respiratory problems, especially asthma. But whether they also make Alzheimer’s and other kinds of dementia more likely has remained unclear.

To find out more, a team of researchers led by Iain Carey of the University of London’s Population Health Research Institute combed through health records for 131,000 people living in Greater London who, in 2004, were aged 50 to 79.
None showed signs of dementia when the study began.
Hong Kong faces ‘dementia tsunami’ as its population ages
Based on residential addresses, the scientists estimated yearly exposure to both NO2 and fine particles known as PM2.5, and then tracked the health of the participants over a seven-year period.
During that time, nearly 2,200 patients – 1.7 per cent of the total – were diagnosed with dementia.
The fifth of these patients living in the most heavily polluted areas were 40 per cent more likely to be afflicted than the fifth living in areas with the lowest levels of NO2 and PM2.5.

Because the study was based on after-the-fact analysis rather than a clinical trial in an experimental setting, no firm conclusions can be drawn as to cause and effect, the authors cautioned. But the findings strongly suggest that the chemical by-products of burning diesel and petrol can damage brain function.
“Traffic-related air pollution has been linked to poorer cognitive development in young children,” the study noted.
How to stave off dementia with these nine lifestyle changes
And even if the impact of air pollution remains relatively modest, they said, “the public health gains would be significant if it emerged that curbing exposure might delay progression of dementia.”
The study was welcomed by experts who reviewed it before publication.
“There is a growing body of evidence of the link between air pollution and brain health, including dementia and Alzheimer’s,” said Martie van Tongeren, a professor of occupational and environmental health at the University of Manchester. “This [study] adds to it.”

Kevin McConway, of Britain’s Open University, praised the study but noted that it only estimated exposure to pollutants at home, and did not account for NO2 and PM2.5 levels at or near places of work, or the amount of time spent away from home.
‘Zombie cells’ find raises hopes for Alzheimer’s disease sufferers
In September 2015, the US Environmental Protection Agency revealed that German car manufacturer VW installed so-called “defeat devices” in its cars to cheat in emissions tests.
The European Environment Agency estimates that more than 400,000 people in Europe’s urban areas die prematurely every year because of outdoor air pollution.


Too cold to sleep? Expert tips for a good night’s rest when the temperature drops

Travel stories from 2025 that will fuel your wanderlust for the year ahead

How can you protect your brain health? Move, brush regularly, check your blood pressure

How Hong Kong’s wellness social clubs are redefining networking for young professionals

Wellness

Air pollution linked to higher risk of dementia in cities, study finds

People living in the most heavily polluted areas of London are 40 per cent more likely to develop dementia than those living in areas with the lowest airborne nitrogen dioxide levels, a new study shows

Lau Ho-moon, 86-year-old mother of six children, has dementia living at Kai Tin Estate in Lam Tin. 08SEP15

Handout image shows Martie Van Tongeren, a professor of occupational and environmental health at the University of Manchester. [22SEPTEMBER2018 FEATURE]

Urban air pollution has been linked to dementia. Photo: Reuters

Why it’s not inevitable your memory will fade as you get older, and how to stave off dementia

If persistent forgetfulness is affecting your daily life, doctors advise seeking medical help. Photo: Shutterstock

This Shutterstock image shows Study and practice with the human brain in x-ray laboratory. [FEATURES] Photo : SHUTTERSTOCK

Lifestyle

Health

Health & Wellness

People living in the most heavily polluted areas of London are 40 per cent more likely to develop dementia than those living in areas with the lowest airborne nitrogen dioxide levels, a new study shows


People living in the most heavily polluted areas of London are 40 per cent more likely to develop dementia than those living in areas with the lowest airborne nitrogen dioxide levels, a new study shows.


Dementia