By Andrea Hargraves 
A new study reveals that breathing polluted air not only affects our lungs, but can also harm our brain. A study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter and toxic gases such as sulfur and nitrogen dioxide is associated with cognitive decline aging.
Scientists are still investigating how these pollutants affect the brain, but there is evidence that they damage white matter, which is essential for language.
Men, who have less white matter than women, may be at greater risk. Shen Zhang, the study's lead researcher, highlights the need for further investigation to understand the exact mechanisms.
Jonathan Samet, a public health specialist, points out that research on the effects of pollution on the brain is recent, and that the lungs, due to their wide contact area, are the main route for these particles to enter.
The relationship between pollution and the brain
He and other experts speculate that inflammation from pollutants may be one cause of brain damage.
In addition to the brain and lungs, pollutants also affect the heart and can worsen diseases such as diabetes. Toxicologist Dan Costa explains that air pollution affects the body in a systemic way, as everything is interconnected.
Evidence also suggests that pollutants can reach the brain through the bloodstream, where they cause inflammation and accelerate aging.
According to experts, understanding these effects is becoming clearer now, as people live longer and are exposed to these pollutants for longer periods. However, combating this pollution will require structural changes, such as more efficient public transportation and better urban planning.