Nisha Pandey

Living In Polluted Cities? A HEPA Air Purifier May Not Only Keep Your Lungs Healthy But Also Boost Brain Function

<span>Air pollution</span> is usually discussed in terms of lungs, heart and breathing problems. But scientists are also looking at brain that could also be taking a hit from the polluted air. 

A new study has found that using a <span>HEPA</span> (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) <span>air purifier</span> at home for just one month showed better performance on an executive function test among adults aged 40 and above. 

Participants in this age group completed the test about 12% faster after spending a month breathing air filtered by a HEPA purifier compared to an ordinary one. 

The study was published in <em>Scientific Reports</em> and based on 119 people aged 30 to 74 living in Somerville, Massachusetts, an area surrounded by major highways and exposed to relatively high levels of air pollution from the traffic. 

<h2>Brain May Also Ne Affected By Air Pollution </h2>

Fine particulate matter from traffic pollution is small enough to penetrate deep into the respiratory system. But its effects may not stop at the lungs. 

Earlier research has linked <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/why-non-smokers-too-are-at-high-risk-of-lung-cancer-article-155603613" data-type="tilCustomLink">particulate pollution</a> with cardiovascular disease and neurological conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Exposure to air pollution has also been linked with decline in cognitive function. 

With this study, researchers wanted to examine whether reducing people's exposure to these harmful particles indoors could make a difference to how their brains function.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/exposure-to-air-pollution-may-harm-male-and-female-fertility-expert-reveals-article-153453963" data-type="tilCustomLink">Exposure To Air Pollution May Harm Male And Female Fertility, Expert Reveals</a> 

The participants were randomly assigned to use either a real <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/pm2-5-linked-to-8-82-million-global-cancer-cases-accounts-for-largest-share-among-pollutants-study-article-155987750" data-type="tilCustomLink">HEPA purifier</a> or a sham purifier at home for one month. The sham device looked and operated like the real purifier but did not contain the air-cleaning filter. 

After a month, participants completed tests examining different aspects of cognitive function, including visual memory, motor speed, mental flexibility and executive function. The groups then switched purifiers after a month-long break. 

Among participants aged 40 and above, the researchers found that they completed the test that measured mental flexibility and executive function 12% faster after using the real HEPA purifier.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/delhis-air-pollution-may-be-harming-the-brain-not-just-the-lungs-report-article-155972443" data-type="tilCustomLink">Delhi’s Air Pollution May Be Harming The Brain, Not Just The Lungs: Report</a> 

<h2>Effects Of Air Purifier On The Brain</h2>

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Researchers say the exact mechanism is not known, but one possibility indicates that the <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/air-pollution-may-increase-the-risk-of-painful-rheumatoid-arthritis-flares-study-finds-article-155322612" data-type="tilCustomLink">particulate matter</a> may have an effect on the brain's white matter. 

White matter acts somewhat like the brain's communication wiring. It helps different brain regions communicate with one another by supporting the connections between nerve cells. 

Older research has suggested that air pollution may reduce white matter and particularly affect brain regions involved in executive function and mental flexibility, the same areas in which the researchers observed improvement after air purification. 

Air pollution can also affect the cardiovascular system. Since the brain depends heavily on a continuous supply of oxygen-rich blood, damage to blood vessels could indirectly affect <span>brain function</span>. But researchers stress that these are simply possible explanations, not findings directly established by this study. 

The study's findings were particularly based on people aged 40 and older. Researchers noted that previous evidence suggests the effects of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/36-of-delhi-ncr-families-report-health-problems-linked-to-pollution-article-151048315" data-type="tilCustomLink">air pollution</a> on cognition become more evident around this age. 

People living close to busy highways and major roads may also have more reason to consider indoor air filtration because traffic is one of the biggest sources of particulate pollution. 

Additionally, the participants used the purifier for only one month. Researchers therefore do not yet know whether the improvement would persist, become larger or disappear with longer-term use. 

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Air pollution is usually discussed in terms of lungs, heart and breathing problems. But scientists are also looking at brain that could also be taking a hit from the polluted air. A new study has found that using a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) air purifier at home for just one month showed better performance on an executive function test among adults aged 40 and above. Participants in this age group completed the test about 12% faster after spending a month breathing air filtered by a HEPA purifier compared to an ordinary one. The study was published in Scientific Reports and based on 119 people aged 30 to 74 living in Somerville, Massachusetts, an area surrounded by major highways and exposed to relatively high levels of air pollution from the traffic. Brain May Also Ne Affected By Air Pollution Fine particulate matter from traffic pollution is small enough to penetrate deep into the respiratory system. But its effects may not stop at the lungs. Earlier research has linked particulate pollution with cardiovascular disease and neurological conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Exposure to air pollution has also been linked with decline in cognitive function. With this study, researchers wanted to examine whether reducing people's exposure to these harmful particles indoors could make a difference to how their brains function.Also read: Exposure To Air Pollution May Harm Male And Female Fertility, Expert Reveals What Did The Researchers Find? The participants were randomly assigned to use either a real HEPA purifier or a sham purifier at home for one month. The sham device looked and operated like the real purifier but did not contain the air-cleaning filter. After a month, participants completed tests examining different aspects of cognitive function, including visual memory, motor speed, mental flexibility and executive function. The groups then switched purifiers after a month-long break. Among participants aged 40 and above, the researchers found that they completed the test that measured mental flexibility and executive function 12% faster after using the real HEPA purifier.Also read: Delhi’s Air Pollution May Be Harming The Brain, Not Just The Lungs: Report Effects Of Air Purifier On The Brain   Researchers say the exact mechanism is not known, but one possibility indicates that the particulate matter may have an effect on the brain's white matter. White matter acts somewhat like the brain's communication wiring. It helps different brain regions communicate with one another by supporting the connections between nerve cells. Older research has suggested that air pollution may reduce white matter and particularly affect brain regions involved in executive function and mental flexibility, the same areas in which the researchers observed improvement after air purification. Air pollution can also affect the cardiovascular system. Since the brain depends heavily on a continuous supply of oxygen-rich blood, damage to blood vessels could indirectly affect brain function. But researchers stress that these are simply possible explanations, not findings directly established by this study. Who Could Benefit The Most? The study's findings were particularly based on people aged 40 and older. Researchers noted that previous evidence suggests the effects of air pollution on cognition become more evident around this age. People living close to busy highways and major roads may also have more reason to consider indoor air filtration because traffic is one of the biggest sources of particulate pollution. Additionally, the participants used the purifier for only one month. Researchers therefore do not yet know whether the improvement would persist, become larger or disappear with longer-term use. 

living in polluted cities? a hepa air purifier may not only keep your lungs healthy but also boost brain function

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