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Air pollution bad for brains

Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 11:54 am
by CaliReader
I thought I'd share this article. It doesn't mention MS specifically, but apparently air pollution is linked with nervous system problems, including blood brain barrier dysfunction.

I'm not really interested in debating causes. I am interested in finding things that make this disease worse and how to avoid them or repair damage. Here's the citation and abstract. It's full text available and it's fairly easy to skim with clear subject headings.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3317189/

The Adverse Effects of Air Pollution on the Nervous System
Sermin Genc, Zeynep Zadeoglulari, [...], and Kursad Genc

Additional article information

Abstract
Exposure to ambient air pollution is a serious and common public health concern
associated with growing morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the last decades,
the adverse effects of air pollution on the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems
have been well established in a series of major epidemiological and observational
studies. In the recent past, air pollution has also been associated with diseases
of the central nervous system (CNS), including stroke, Alzheimer's disease,
Parkinson's disease, and neurodevelopmental disorders. It has been demonstrated
that various components of air pollution, such as nanosized particles,
can easily translocate to the CNS where they can activate innate immune responses.
Furthermore, systemic inflammation arising from the pulmonary or cardiovascular system
can affect CNS health. Despite intense studies on the health effects of
ambient air pollution, the underlying molecular mechanisms of susceptibility
and disease remain largely elusive. However, emerging evidence suggests that
air pollution-induced neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, microglial activation,
cerebrovascular dysfunction, and alterations in the blood-brain barrier
contribute to CNS pathology. A better understanding of the mediators and mechanisms
will enable the development of new strategies to protect individuals at risk
and to reduce detrimental effects of air pollution on the nervous system and mental health.

Re: Air pollution bad for brains

Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 12:22 pm
by jimmylegs
hello, mercury toxicity :S and another challenge for any zinc deprived human system

Study on mercury sources and emissions, and analysis of cost and effectiveness of control measures
http://www.unep.org/hazardoussubstances ... 202010.pdf
"The global emissions of anthropogenic mercury to air for 2005 were estimated to be 1921 metric tonnes. The main source category is combustion of fossil fuels in power plants and industrial boilers which contribute about 500 tonnes (26 per cent of the global emissions to air). An additional 380 tonnes of mercury (20 per cent) are associated with fossil fuel combustion for residential heating. Artisanal small scale gold mining contributes about 323 tonnes (17 per cent). Other important sectors are cement production (190 tonnes, 10 per cent), non-ferrous metal industries (excl. gold)(130 tonnes, 7 per cent) and large-scale gold production (110 tonnes, 6 per cent). The remaining 15 per cent originate from iron and steel production, waste management, cremation, chlor alkali industry and mercury production."

geez, i am going to have to start keeping my snowpants on inside at this rate :S

Re: Air pollution bad for brains

Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 6:47 am
by CaliReader
Seems like a good inside air filter might be a good investment. I live near a lot of diesel exhaust, so this seems like a reasonable measure to take.

Snow pants? I'm jealous of your climate just now. It's been hot and I've taken to using ice packs.

Re: Air pollution bad for brains

Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 8:45 am
by jimmylegs
lol I was being a bit facetious.. it's not snowpants season right now :)

and yes, air filters on the one hand (don't suppose there'd be much else to do about local diesel exhaust), and a societal ramping down on the fossil fuels on the other. unless of course one views chronic disease management as a business opportunity. a la shock doctrine / disaster capitalism.

haven't looked at this in detail yet, but interesting at first glance (not an English first language effort but you can catch their drift)

Control device for Indoor mercury emission-Eco friendly model
http://www.tjdb.org/123456789/15550/1/JSIR%2072(1%29%2011-14.pdf