Following recent findings from scientists, just one hour of exposure to polluted air can disrupt key brain functions. According to a British study, attention and emotional recognition are impacted for at least four hours after just one hour of exposure to small particulate matter. The harm is not altered by the inhaling route. Researchers from the Universities of Manchester and Birmingham have demonstrated that a single hour of exposure to particulate matter is sufficient to produce observable changes in cognition over the next several hours.
Scientists have found that one hour of polluted air could change your brain forever
Published in February 2025 in Nature Communications, the study presents fresh worries over the direct impact of polluted air on brain function, even in commonplace settings like the office or home. In four different sessions, 26 individuals were exposed to both clean air and air containing PM2.5 particles produced by candle smoke, simulating levels often found in metropolitan settings. The researchers assessed the participants’ performance on important cognitive tasks four hours later.
Participants’ selective attention and ability to recognize emotions in human faces significantly decreased after breathing polluted air, according to the results. It appears that higher brain functions are especially susceptible to this kind of pollution, as skills like working memory and reaction time were unaffected. Regardless of whether the inhalation was nasal or buccal, this cognitive impairment happened, indicating that systemic inflammatory mechanisms that start in the lungs may be more responsible for the damage than just direct pathways to the brain, according to scientists.
Daily exposure to polluted air could lead to a cumulative effect
The researchers caution that while the study concentrated on short-term exposure, repeated or continuous exposures like those millions of people encounter every day in highly polluted air places may have more severe and enduring consequences. During the research, PM2.5 levels were 28.54 micrograms per cubic meter, which is over twice the WHO-recommended limit of 15 µg/m³ for 24-hour exposure. Given that this level is typical in cities, these findings have significant public health implications. In daily situations, these instantaneous cognitive impacts may impair emotional reactivity and productivity.
The study’s authors stress that these changes may have significant effects on social life, work performance, and emotional health, particularly for those in occupations requiring empathy and focus, like teaching, healthcare, or caregiving. Despite using young adults in good health for the study, the researchers caution that some demographics might be even more vulnerable. These include those with neurological abnormalities, those with pre-existing cardiovascular or pulmonary conditions, children, and the elderly. These sectors might be more severely affected in terms of their capacity to focus, process emotions, or carry out daily duties that call for prolonged concentration.
People who live in crowded cities or close to continuous sources of pollution, like highways, factories, or places with inadequate internal ventilation, are also more likely to be exposed to high concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Even brief and frequent exposures to these settings may eventually result in a buildup of detrimental effects on cognitive health. This emphasizes how vital it is to put protection measures in place for these groups of people.
What should people do to avoid problems related to polluted air?
In light of these findings, the researchers emphasize how vital it is to enact stronger public regulations on air quality, including inside. PM2.5 particles can also be produced within the house when cooking, lighting candles, or using cleaning supplies. Additionally, they suggest promoting the construction of improved air filtration and ventilation systems in buildings, particularly in businesses, hospitals, and schools.
They also recommend encouraging exposure-reduction techniques and educating the public on the invisible dangers of pollution. The study shows a more immediate effect than previously believed and offers fresh data on the connection between air quality and brain function. In a world growing more urbanized, maintaining the quality of the air is essential for the heart and lungs, as well as for mental and emotional health.
