What Happens When You Breathe Polluted Air? Experts Explain Link to Brain Tumours
What Happens When You Breathe Polluted Air? Experts Explain Link to Brain Tumours
A new study has raised concerns about the impact of air pollution on brain health, revealing a possible link between long-term exposure to traffic-related pollutants and the risk of developing meningioma, a typically noncancerous brain tumour.
The research, conducted by scientists from the Danish Cancer Institute and published in the journal Neurology, analysed the health data of nearly 4 million Danish adults over a span of 21 years.
The study focused on common urban air pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide and ultrafine particles, both of which are largely associated with traffic emissions. Researchers found that people exposed to higher levels of these pollutants had a greater chance of developing meningioma during the study period.
Ulla Hvidtfeldt, a doctoral student at the Danish Cancer Institute, said, “Various types of air pollution have been shown to have negative effects on health, and ultrafine particles are small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier and may directly affect brain tissue.” Hvidtfeldt added that their findings suggest long-term exposure to air pollution may contribute to the development of meningiomas and further highlight how air pollution can harm the brain, not just the heart and lungs.
During the study, 16,596 people developed a tumour in the central nervous system, including 4,645 meningioma cases. Although the study does not prove that air pollution causes these tumours, it does establish a significant association. Researchers did not find a strong connection between air pollutants and more aggressive brain tumours like gliomas. However, they believe more studies are needed to confirm the link. “If cleaning up our air can help lower the risk of brain tumours, that could make a real difference for public health,” Hvidtfeldt said.
Understanding Meningioma and Its Symptoms
Meningioma is a tumour that grows from the meninges, the protective layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is not technically a brain tumour but can press against brain tissue, nerves, or blood vessels, leading to various symptoms. Meningioma is the most common type of tumour that forms in the head and is usually slow-growing. It can take years to cause symptoms, which means some people may not realise they have it until it’s found during scans done for unrelated reasons.
The condition is more common in women and often appears later in life, though it can occur at any age. Because these tumours typically grow slowly, doctors sometimes choose to monitor them over time rather than recommend immediate treatment.
Symptoms vary depending on where the tumour is located in the brain or, in rare cases, the spine. Common signs include changes in vision such as blurriness or double vision, frequent headaches that worsen in the morning, hearing loss or ringing in the ears, memory issues, and seizures. Some people may also experience loss of smell, weakness in the limbs, trouble speaking, or coordination problems.
Health experts advise seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms such as sudden seizures or rapid changes in vision or memory occur. For those experiencing ongoing issues like worsening headaches, a medical check-up is recommended to rule out underlying causes.
While most meningiomas are benign and manageable, the recent findings around air pollution add to growing concerns about environmental factors contributing to serious health conditions.
