New Delhi: Long-term exposure to air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter like PM2.5, poses significant risks to memory and cognitive function across all age groups, a recent study has revealed.

This research comes as air quality in Delhi continues to suffer, with smog enveloping the region and air quality ratings persistently in the 'poor' range.

On Saturday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 294, indicating a 'poor' level, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Notably, 18 areas reported AQI levels above 300, placing them in the 'very poor' category. The situation is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by air pollution in urban settings.

A peer-reviewed study involving 8,500 children highlighted that air pollution linked to ammonium nitrate significantly impacts cognitive performance, including learning and memory, in children aged 9 to 10 years.

The findings, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, underscore the broader implications of PM2.5 exposure.

The study noted that ammonium nitrate, a chemical component of PM2.5, is formed through atmospheric reactions between ammonia gas from agricultural activities and nitric acid, which is often produced during fossil fuel combustion.

The harmful effects of this pollutant are not restricted to children. The research found that ammonium nitrate exposure is also associated with increased risks of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in adults, suggesting that PM2.5 can harm neurocognitive health throughout a person's lifetime.

Dr Megan Herting, an associate professor of population and public health sciences at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC), emphasized the need for further research.

Dr Herting stated that understanding the specific sources and chemical components of particulate matter is essential for better regulation of air quality and managing long-term cognitive health risks.

The study's team employed advanced statistical methods to analyze 15 chemical components in PM2.5 and identified ammonium nitrate as a primary factor contributing to neurocognitive harm.

This research calls for more targeted efforts to control sources of air pollution, particularly those related to agriculture and fossil fuel use, to mitigate the health impacts on both children and adults.

(with inputs from IANS)

Rishika Verma
Rishika Verma