How wave of new dementias may be fueled by surprising culprit linked to climate change
Daily MailWildfires were once a rare occurrence, but as the climate becomes warmer and drier, they've become more common and more widespread. It found people exposed to wildfire pollution have an 18 percent higher risk of developing any type of dementia after just three years' exposure. Long-term exposure to pollutants known as total fine particulate matter is a recognized risk factor for dementia, but less is known about how the tiny specs of pollution produced by wildfires - ash, carbon monoxide and dioxide, formaldehyde, volatile compounds and various other carcinogens - affect people's brain. The researchers concluded: 'As the climate changes, interventions focused on reducing wildfire PM2.5 exposure may reduce dementia diagnoses and related inequities. The researchers added that exposure to PM2.5 may indirectly lead to dementia by disrupting the body's normal processes, which can increase the risk of blood clots, excessive bleeding, dysfunctions of blood vessels in the brain and stroke, which could be an underlying risk factor for dementia.
History of this topic
Residents exposed to wildfire smoke have higher dementia risk, study finds
The IndependentWildfires are growing under climate change, and their smoke threatens farmworkers, study says
Associated PressWildfire smoke may be worse for your brain than other air pollution, study says
Associated Press
Diabetes, pollution linked to faster brain ageing: Study
Live Mint
High pollution levels increase dementia risk: Study
India TV News
How bad is all that wildfire smoke to our long-term health? ‘Frankly, we don’t really know’
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