Exposure to air pollution has been linked to increased hospital admissions for mental health issues, according to recent studies. Researchers found that cumulative exposure to air pollution over several years is associated with a higher risk of hospital admissions for mental and behavioral disorders, as well as physical illnesses.
The study analyzed data from the Scottish Longitudinal Study, representing 5% of the Scottish population, and found that higher cumulative exposure to pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter diameter of at least 10 μm (PM10), and small particulate matter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) was linked to increased hospital admissions.
Key Findings:
– Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and PM2.5 pollutants were associated with higher hospital admissions for mental illness/behavioral disorders
– Sulfur dioxide (SO2) was mainly linked to hospital admissions for respiratory disease
– Cumulative exposure to air pollution increased the risk of hospital admissions for all causes, cardiovascular, respiratory, and infectious diseases
These findings suggest that stricter environmental regulations and policies are needed to mitigate the impact of air pollution on mental health.
