According to a recent study, short-term exposure to high-level PM can affect a person’s capacity to concentrate, block out distractions, and act in a way that is acceptable to others.
Approximately 4.2 million deaths in 2015 were ascribed to PM2.5, the air pollutant mainly responsible for human health impacts.
Even brief exposure to particulate matter (PM) can impair a person’s capacity to perceive emotions or concentrate on a job. This may make carrying out daily tasks more difficult.
The subjects’ cognitive capacities were tested both before and four hours after being exposed to either clean air or high levels of pollution using candle smoke.
Psychomotor speed, sustained attention, emotion recognition, working memory, and selective attention were all assessed.
Researchers from the Universities of Birmingham and Manchester found in Nature Communications that air pollution had a significant impact on respondents’ ability to recognize emotions and pay attention, regardless of whether they breathed normally or just via their mouths.
The University of Birmingham co-author, Dr. Thomas Faherty, stated, “Our study offers convincing evidence that even brief exposure to particulate matter can have immediate negative effects on brain functions essential for daily activities, such as doing the weekly supermarket shop.”
