All posts tagged: pollutants

Common air pollutants are linked to higher risks of Lewy body and Parkinson’s dementias

Common air pollutants are linked to higher risks of Lewy body and Parkinson’s dementias

Published by José Betancourt

Breathing in common air pollutants over many years may substantially raise a person’s risk of developing certain neurodegenerative diseases, pointing to an environmental driver for cognitive decline. A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide is linked to higher rates of Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease dementia. These results suggest that improving air quality could serve as a preventative measure to protect brain health in aging populations. Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease dementia are related neurological conditions that severely impact memory, thinking, and behavior. Both disorders involve the abnormal buildup of a specific protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. Proteins are the microscopic structures that carry out essential functions inside our cells. When these proteins misfold and clump together, they disrupt normal cellular activity and eventually cause brain cells to die. In Lewy body dementia, these protein clumps typically cause early cognitive problems, visual hallucinations, and unpredictable shifts in alertness. In Parkinson’s disease, the damage initially affects movement, causing tremors and stiffness, …

EU expands crackdown on water pollutants under new rules

EU expands crackdown on water pollutants under new rules

Published by skeptic

The European Union has introduced sweeping new rules targeting water pollutants, updating decades-old legislation to tackle emerging threats such as PFAS, microplastics, pharmaceuticals and pesticide residues. The revised directive has now officially entered into force, requiring all Member States to strengthen monitoring and tighten controls on harmful substances in rivers, lakes and groundwater. The reforms amend three major pieces of EU environmental legislation: the Water Framework Directive, the Environmental Quality Standards Directive, and the Groundwater Directive. Together, the changes are designed to improve water resilience across Europe while supporting the bloc’s wider zero-pollution strategy. EU officials say the updated rules will deliver stronger environmental protections while still allowing flexibility for critical infrastructure and economic projects. Member States must transpose the amendments into national law by 22 December 2027. Commenting on the new rules, Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, said: “The revised water law will help reduce pollution in our waters from PFAS, pesticides and other harmful chemicals. “This is exactly what we set out to do in the …

Common air pollutants associated with structural changes in the teenage brain

Common air pollutants associated with structural changes in the teenage brain

Published by José Betancourt

A recent study published in Environmental Research suggests that breathing polluted air may alter the physical development of the brain during adolescence. The findings indicate that exposure to fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide is associated with an accelerated thinning of the cortex, particularly in regions responsible for emotional regulation and complex thinking. This research suggests that the environment in which a young person lives plays a role in their neurological maturation. Air pollution is a global health issue that affects people in both industrial and developing nations. Most of the global population breathes air that exceeds safety guidelines established by the World Health Organization. This pollution is a complex mixture of gases and particles derived from vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and wildfires. “This study grew out of a broader effort to understand how common environmental exposures shape health, particularly for some of our most vulnerable populations. With increasing wildfires, industrialization, and urbanization, many children are now exposed to air pollution more frequently and for longer periods of time. We wanted to better understand how …