From The Guardian: “The research, published in the journalĀ Environmental Health Perspectives, used strict quality criteria to select and pool research data from 16 countries published up to 2017. This revealed a strong statistical link between toxic air and depression and suicide. This is supported by moreĀ recent research, including studies that linked air pollution with ‘extremely high mortality’ in people with mental disordersĀ and aĀ quadrupled risk of depression in teenagers.
Other research indicates thatĀ air pollution causes a ‘huge’ reduction in intelligenceĀ and is linked toĀ dementia. A comprehensive global review earlier in 2019 concluded thatĀ air pollution may be damaging every organ and virtually every cell in the human body …
The results show strong correlations, but research that would prove a causal link is difficult because ethical experiments cannot deliberately expose people to harm. The studies analysed took account of many factors that might affect mental health, including home location, income, education, smoking, employment and obesity. But they were not able to separate the potential impact of noise, which often occurs alongside air pollution and is known to have psychological effects.”
