True or False?

75% of people are

living in places with
unsafe air pollution
levels
Particulate Matter:
Its Detrimental
Effects on the Brain
Kathyayini Mendu
Independent Research
Howard High school
Mary Curtin
 Roadmap:
➔ Description of particulate matter
➔ How it can enter the brain
➔ Cognitive Effects
➔ Effects on Development
➔ Risk of developing neurological disorders
➔ How to combat this issue
 Particulate Matter Pollution

Particulate matter
pollution are tiny
particles of varying sizes
suspended in the air,
often less than 10
micrometers in length.
They include a wide
range of particles from
soot or specks of dust to
liquid.
 Ultrafine Matter

Ultrafine particles, or
particles less than 2.5
micrometers in length, are
generally the most
dangerous of these types
because they can penetrate
into the body farther.
 Effects on Cognitive Functioning

◂ Cognitive functioning is the ability to perform

certain tasks, often related to learning, problem
solving, and analysis
◂ Research has found a decrease in test scores
and inability to focus on tasks
◂ Brain shrinkage
◂ Destroys white matter
◂ Myelinated sheaths peel off at the ends
◂ Essential for communication between
neurons
 Effects on Cognitive Functioning

◂ Oxidative Stress
◂ Imbalance of antioxidants and free radicals
◂ Free radicals start attacking
◂ Blood Brain barrier
◂ Outer layer of the brain
◂ Filters things in and out of brain, acts as
cardiovascular system as well
◂ Neuroinflammation
◂ Particles irritate the brain
◂ Can lead to neurodegenerative disorders
 Effects on Brain Development

◂ Particles lodge themselves in the

placenta
◂ Significant brain damage
◂ Increase the risk of premature birth
◂ More likely to dropout of school
◂ Lower test scores
◂ Overall children exposed to pollution at
young ages have lower chances at
succeeding when it comes to education
and job opportunities
 Increased Risk of Developing
Neurological Disorders

◂ Particulate matter
pollution can increase the
risk of developing
neurodegenerative
disorders like Alzheimer's
Disease and dementia
◂ Increase amyloid
plaque development
◂ Those with the APOE
are more susceptible
to its effects
 Awareness
◂ More articles have been
released, increased regard in
the scientific community
◂ Main way to combat air
pollution is through regulation
and spreading awareness
◂ To combat air pollution on a
more personal level, air masks
and air purifier can have a
major impact on the air quality
 Conclusion

◂ Decrease cognitive
function
◂ Harms development in
children
◂ Increased risk of
neurological disorders
◂ Increased awareness
 Works Cited
https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulate-matter-pm-basics#PM

https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulate-matter-pm-basics#PM

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/01/brain-pollution-evidence-builds-dirty-air-causes-alz
heimer-s-dementia

https://www.degruyter.com/downloadpdf/j/tnsci.2016.7.issue-1/tnsci-2016-0005/tnsci-2016-000
5.pdf

https://www.europeanlung.org/en/news-and-events/news/how-can-we-improve-awareness-a
bout-air-pollution-and-occupational-lung-conditions

https://www.fuelfreedom.org/air-pollution-brain-impact/

https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/big-cities-with-best-and-worst-air-quality/