Severer air pollution, poorer cognitive function: Findings from 176,345 elders in Northwestern China

Jan 24, 2024Ecotoxicology and environmental safety

Worse Air Pollution Linked to Lower Thinking Skills in 176,345 Older Adults in Northwestern China

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Abstract

In a study of 176,345 elderly participants in northwestern China, long-term exposure to particulate matter and ozone was associated with poor cognitive function.

  • Higher levels of particulate matter (PM) and ozone (O) were linked to increased odds of poor cognitive function as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
  • Participants in the second, third, and highest quartiles of air pollutants showed consistently lower MMSE scores compared to those in the lowest quartile.
  • For every 10 µg/m³ increase in PM, the odds of poor cognitive function increased by 26%.
  • The odds of cognitive impairment related to a 10 µg/m³ increase in ozone were significantly higher, at 276%.
  • Subgroup analyses indicated stronger associations between air pollution and cognitive decline in younger participants, non-Uyghur individuals, and those who were physically active.

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