Dirty air can increase risk of dementia, it’s claimed

Air pollution is "likely" to increase the risk of developing dementia, a Government research group has said.

TheCommitteeontheMedical Effects of Air Pollutants has published its findings afterreviewingalmost70studies which analysed how exposure to emissions affect the brain over time.

The 291-page report concludes that air pollution “likely” increases the risk of accelerated“cognitivedecline” and of “developing dementia” in older people.

Experts believe this is due to the impact of pollutants entering the circulatory system, affecting blood flow to the brain.

Thethreeotherhealthconditionswithaknownlinktoair pollution are respiratory conditions, heart disease and lung cancer.

Dementia has been linked to air pollution previously.

Around 850,000 people in the UK suffer with dementia, accordingtotheNHSandwellestablished evidence shows that exposure to air pollution increases the risk of heart disease.

Breathing in emissions can damage the blood vessels by making them narrower and harder - increasing the likelihood of clots, abnormal heart rhythms and heart attacks, according to the British Heart Foundation.

Under the Environment Act passed last year, the Government must set new targets for curbing air pollutants by October 31.

Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of Asthma and Lung UK,said:"Thisreportisyetfurther evidence that the dirty air webreatheintoourlungsevery day has a significant impact on our health. It's becoming ever more clear that it contributes to dementia, lung cancer and heart disease.”