A recent study has highlighted how short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution can significantly impair people’s ability to process emotions and maintain focus during tasks, making routine grocery shopping more challenging. The research, which was conducted by scientists from the Universities of Birmingham and Manchester, involved exposing participants to either high levels of PM using candle smoke or to clean air, with cognitive tests administered both before and four hours post-exposure. These tests evaluated a range of mental functions, including working memory, selective attention, emotion recognition, psychomotor speed, and sustained attention.
The findings, published in ‘Nature Communications’ on 6 February, reveal that selective attention and the ability to recognise emotions are particularly susceptible to the effects of air pollution. Intriguingly, these impairments occurred regardless of whether participants inhaled through their noses or mouths, pointing to the pervasive impact of PM exposure on mental capabilities. The study suggests that inflammation triggered by pollution exposure could be the underlying cause of these cognitive deficits. However, it was noted that while selective attention and emotion recognition were affected, working memory appeared to be more resilient to the effects of short-term PM exposure.
Dr Thomas Faherty and Professor Francis Pope, both from the University of Birmingham, provided insights into the broader implications of their findings. Dr Faherty emphasised the immediate negative impact of PM exposure on brain functions essential for everyday tasks, such as shopping. Professor Pope highlighted the broader societal and economic consequences, pointing out that poor air quality not only hampers intellectual development and worker productivity but also has significant implications in a world that increasingly relies on cognitive excellence.
The ability to focus selectively is crucial for tasks such as shopping, where it is necessary to prioritise certain items while ignoring others and resisting impulse purchases. Working memory plays a vital role in functions that require both the processing and storage of information simultaneously, which is essential for multitasking activities like planning schedules or managing several conversations simultaneously. Furthermore, socio-emotional cognition, which entails the detection and interpretation of one’s own and others’ emotions, is key to engaging in socially acceptable behaviour. These cognitive skills, though distinct, collaborate to facilitate successful task completion in various life and work scenarios.
This study is pioneering in its approach to experimentally manipulating the inhalation routes of PM, offering new insights into how different exposure pathways may influence cognitive functions. The researchers emphasised the need for continued investigation into the long-term effects of air pollution and the development of protective measures against its harmful impacts on brain health.
Globally, air pollution remains a primary environmental hazard, significantly contributing to premature mortality. The adverse effects of poor air quality on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems are well-documented, with emerging research linking it to neurodegenerative conditions like multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. According to the World Health Organization, PM2.5, a particulate matter, is notably detrimental to human health, with an estimated 4.2 million deaths in 2015 attributed to this pollutant alone.
This research underscores the urgency for stricter air quality regulations and public health measures to mitigate the harmful effects of pollution on cognitive health, particularly in heavily polluted urban environments. It also calls for further studies to explore the long-term impacts of air pollution on particularly vulnerable populations, such as children and older adults, ensuring that future generations are protected from these detrimental health effects.
More information: Thomas Faherty et al, Acute particulate matter exposure diminishes executive cognitive functioning after four hours regardless of inhalation pathway, Nature Communications. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56508-3
Journal information: Nature Communications Provided by University of Birmingham
