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Wildfire Pollution Increases Risk of Dementia

Writer's picture: Patricia FaustPatricia Faust


The news over the past few weeks brought to light the increased risk of developing dementia from exposure to wildfire smoke.  Air pollution has been identified as an increased risk factor for dementia for many years.  It hasn’t been something that has grabbed the headlines but has now been thrust into widespread public awareness.


When I speak about brain health and the risk factors for developing dementia, I have focused more on the high levels of air pollution from traffic fumes or even burning wood in a fireplace.  Air pollution is made of several different gases, chemical compounds, metals, and tiny particles known as particulate matter.   The research has focused on a component of air pollution known as fine particulate matter. 


Long-term exposure or exposure to high levels of air pollution can lead to health conditions that affect the heart and lungs.  Now the research is looking for the link that implicates the connection between air pollution and dementia risk.


Research from the University of Michigan was published in JAMA Internal Medicine in August of 2023.  Their study linked 18 years of data about people’s health to air pollution levels of each individual residential address. 28,000 people were in the study. None of them had a diagnosis of dementia at the start of the study.  The average age was 61 years old and 57% were women.   Among all of them, 15% developed dementia within an average period of 10 years, but those who lived in areas with high pollution levels were 8% more likely to develop dementia.  The researchers examined dementia risk levels based on different types of pollution exposure, including exposure to agriculture, traffic, coal combustion, and wildfire pollution.


The widespread incidence of wildfires within North America is causing significant health risks for all populations.  The increased risk of dementia is getting a lot of attention.  The vulnerability of brain diseases from wildfires is a more recent discovery.  Particulate matter from wildfires is so small that it can enter the brain directly through the nose or break through the brain-blood barrier in other ways.  The findings are important because exposure to neurotoxic air pollution is considered ‘modifiable’ meaning that people’s exposure to pollution can be reduced or pollution itself can be reduced. “Our data suggest that in addition to some of the more obvious health impacts of wildfire smoke, like irritation to our throats and eyes along with breathing difficulties, high smoke days might also be taking a toll on our brains.” says researcher Sara Adar, ScD.  “Our findings indicate that lowering levels of particulate matter air pollution, even in a relatively clean country like the United States, may reduce the number of people developing dementia in later life,” Adar said. (Air Pollution Linked to Higher Dementia Risk: Study, Aug. 15, 2023, webmd.com)


The Effect of Air Pollution on Dementia Risk

In 2022 the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants undertook a review of 70 studies in human populations.  The evidence suggests a link between air pollutants and the development of memory and thinking problems.  It is thought that the effects of air pollution on the heart and circulatory system may impact the blood supply to the brain and lead to vascular dementia. (https://www.alzheimers.org.uk)


Air Pollution and the Brain

Magnetite, a form of iron, is released into the air by burning fuel and is found within fine particulate matter.  A study of brain tissue from people in Mexico City and Manchester confirmed that magnetite from air pollution can pass into the brain, possibly via the bloodstream or the thin lining of the nose. 


The particles were seen inside protein deposits called amyloid plaques, which are abundant in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.  This finding initially led to speculation that magnetite could be involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.


However, the study did not provide evidence that magnetite in involved in the formation of amyloid plaques or the death of brain cells. It could be that magnetite particles that enter the brain end up in amyloid plaques because of the brain waste disposal processes.


Research on Air Pollution and Thinking Skills

Studies involved in looking at people’s natural exposure to air pollution and thinking skills show that those exposed to high levels of pollutants perform poorer on thinking tests over time.  But this does not mean they have or will develop dementia.


A study of 6.6 million people from Ontario, Canada found that those living within 50 meters of a major road were 7% more likely to develop dementia than those living more than 300 meters away.  Another study in Quebec, Canada found an increase in dementia rates occurred with increased nitrous oxide or fine particulate matter exposure.  They also saw an increase in relation to living closer to a major road.


I grew up living on a very busy road.  To make matters worse, we lived by an intersection, and exhaust fumes were thick while people were sitting at the light.   Also, my sales job had me on the road 80% of each day.  Even then I worried about the impact of smelling car exhaust would have on me. 


When I read these studies, I was very upset about how all of this might have put me at risk for dementia.  It impressed me that living a brain-healthy lifestyle is even more critical for my brain health.  These brain changes start early, long before we are aware that there might be a problem.  Review your air pollution exposure history.  Take this risk seriously.  Fortunately, it is never too late to change your brain. 

 

Alzheimer’s Society. Air pollution and the risk of dementia. Retrieved from https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/managing-the-risk-of-dementia/reduce-your-risk-of-dementia/air-pollution


O’Mary, L. (August 15, 2023). Air pollution linked to higher dementia risk: study. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20230815/air-polution-linked-elevated-dementia-risk-study

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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     What's Happening?

2025 has certainly started off with a BANG!  There is significant chaos surrounding the start of now President Trump’s term in office.  He described it as ‘Shock and Awe’.  I would agree with ‘shock’, but I am not in awe of the beginning of his term.  Time will tell how this all plays out.  It does force me to get serious about my meditation practice, however.

Then most of the United States was under, first – severe weather systems and then the incineration of Southern California.  In my particular neck of the woods (Ohio/Indiana border) we had 15 inches of snow, subzero temperatures made even colder by high wind.  My gas and electric bill will be out of this world after this month.  It has been a long time since we have seen this type of weather.  In 1978, we had a blizzard where over 30 inches of snow fell, the Ohio River froze over, and I had a blizzard baby 9 months later (to the day)! Nothing like that this time though!

The natural disasters to hit the US this year have been catastrophic.  There was Hurricane Helene that devastated Florida but also caused so much flooding in the Southeast State of North Carolina that the town of Ashville was left in shambles.  This is a mountain town where you would never expect torrential flooding to occur.  The recovery has been slow, but it is ongoing. 

Los Angeles California is the home of many famous and affluent people.  The Palisades and Malibu are two cities you might have seen on TV shows or in movies.  They are on the Pacific coast and were extremely beautiful.  There is nothing left. The damage is unimaginable.  It is hard to understand how people will bounce back from this.

No matter where you live or are reading this, please keep these communities in your thoughts and prayers.  If possible, check out sources where you may make contributions to their recovery.

On a lighter note, The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles will play each other in Super Bowl 59 on February 9 in New Orleans.  These two teams played each other in the 2023 Super Bowl and The Chiefs were the winners.  Grudge match in 2025?  We will see.

Make sure you check out the activities going on at the Virtual Brain Health Center.  Krystal and LeAnne always have a month full of activities, the book club, podcasts and guests who bring their expertise to share.  It is free and is worth checking out.  www.virtualbrainhealthcenter.com

I am available to book speaking engagements for The Boomer Brain and The Inside Workings of the Aging Brain.  All Boomers are feeling brain aging losses – tip-of-the-tongue, lost word, forgetting things and the slow down of processing. Request information and open dates through patricia@myboomerbrain.com.

“Pat has written a comprehensive quide to understanding and navigating the intricacies of cognitive aging. ‘The Boomer Brain’ is a beacon of hope for those seeking to enrich their later years.” Dr. Sarah McKay (Founder of The Neuroscience Academy)

Over the past few years, I have had a friend, Carol Meyer, who has been a part of My Boomer Brain.  Carol has her own publication, InFlow that is published quarterly.  It is amazing.  InFlow Magazine - Your Digital Dose of Inspiration is just that.  She has chosen some of my blogs to publish in InFlow and I am grateful.  She wants me to extend an invitation to look at InFlow for yourself.  Here is the link and access information:

 

https://inflowmagazine.gumroad.com/l/Issue11

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THANKS for being a part of My Boomer Brain! 

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