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Wildfire Pollution Increases Risk of Dementia

  • Writer: Patricia Faust
    Patricia Faust
  • Aug 5, 2024
  • 4 min read

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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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Where did summer go?  It was a goal of mine to be intentional each day of summer to appreciate the warm weather, the long days, and believing we are in the lazy, hazy days of summer.  Turns out that wasn’t exactly how the summer went.  At the beginning of summer, we had a lot of rain.  I mean enough rain to flood the Ohio River and its tributaries.  Everything was wet! Then we went into the heat mode!  At the end of June, we went camping for a long weekend.  We are tent campers!  I think we were the only tent campers in the entire campground.  It was obvious that RVs and Motor Homes were the way to go on this particular camping trip.  Their air conditioners filled the night air with their compressors whirring.  Not to be outdone, my sister-in-law and her husband brought an air conditioner to cool off their tent!  We were really roughing it!!  The 100+ degree temperatures will give us lots of stories to tell about how we survived the heat and still had a great time.

Then there was July and August and I have no idea what we did to mark those months as memorable.  And now it is September.  This is the best month of the year.  The weather is temperate, and we have an overlap of professional sports in Cincinnati.  The Cincinnati Reds Major League Baseball team is finishing up the season.  The Cincinnati Bengals National League Football team is starting their season. The FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer (MLS) team is amid their season. 

Octoberfest is at the end of this month.  Cincinnati has the second largest Octoberfest festival in the world, second only to Munich Germany!

September is really all about Raising Awareness for the Aging Population!

  • Healthy Aging Month (Brain Health)

  • National Senior Center Month

  • National Assisted Living Month

  • Falls Prevention Awareness Week

  • World’s Alzheimer’s Month

  • National Suicide Prevention Month

  • National Recovery Month

  • Substance abuse and mental health services

This list is mostly positive references to senior events/awareness.  Suicide Prevention Month and National Recovery Month might not seem like they should be in this list.  But the statistics of seniors taking their own lives is the highest of all age groups.   I did a little research to confirm that statement.  What I found was unsettling.  My next newsletter will include a blog on senior suicide.  This is really important information for all of us.

 

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is less than a month away!! Yikes – I told you I lost a couple of months of the summer!!!  Here are some facts on the personal impact of Alzheimer’s for families, friends, and caregivers.

  • Today, more than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s.  By 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million.  This is a direct correlation to the large size of the Boomer generation.

 

It is hard to conceptualize the impact of these figures if you are not aware of the devastation Alzheimer’s disease leaves behind.  So, let’s make this more personal:

  • Are you a Boomer?  The last group of Boomers will pass through the 65-age threshold in 2030.  Age is a non-modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s.  The percentage of getting Alzheimer’s and other dementias starts to increase rapidly the older you get.  Boomers are now in the high-risk group which accounts for the huge projection of those with Alzheimer’s by 2050.

  • Do you have a parent, grandparent or other relative or friend that are in the over-65 age group?  You will likely experience Alzheimer’s as a caregiver or friend/relative of a caregiver.  Alzheimer’s will impact your life in many ways.

  • Do you have parents in this over-65 age group and children still living at home?  You are now part of the sandwich generation, responsible for care of your parents and your children.  The results of the extreme stress and financial burden will make for a very difficult time in your life.

 

The Alzheimer’s Association is fully aware of the impact of this horrible disease.  Their goal is to Find the First Survivor.  The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is their largest national fundraiser.  Please support/join Team My Boomer Brain as we too fight to bring an end to Alzheimer’s. 

Link to donate:  http://act.alz.org/goto/faust

Thanks to all, 

 

Pat

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