In the experiment, participants were exposed to high concentrations of air pollutants similar to smoke. They completed cognitive tests both before and four hours after breathing the polluted air. These tests assessed working memory, selective attention, emotional recognition, psychomotor speed, and sustained attention.

The findings revealed that air pollution significantly reduces selective attention and the ability to recognize emotions. Notably, this effect was observed regardless of whether participants breathed normally or exclusively through their mouths.

Researchers suggest that air pollution may trigger inflammation, which disrupts concentration and emotional perception. However, working memory remained unaffected, indicating that some brain functions are more resistant to polluted environments than others.

Why cognitive functions matter

Cognitive functions are essential for daily life, involving a range of mental processes that work together seamlessly:

- Selective attention helps in decision-making and achieving goals. For example, when shopping in a supermarket, selective attention allows you to focus on necessary items, avoiding distractions and impulse purchases;

- Working memory temporarily stores information, enabling people to juggle multiple thoughts and complete tasks that require remembering details. Without it, planning the day or engaging in conversations with multiple people would be difficult;

- Socio-emotional perception, which includes understanding both personal emotions and those of others, plays a key role in shaping appropriate social behavior.

The broader health risks of air pollution

Air pollution is one of the most significant environmental health risks, contributing to increased premature mortality rates. Its harmful effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems are well-documented. Additionally, it has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

Among air pollutants, PM2.5 is considered the most dangerous. In 2015 alone, it was associated with 4.2 million deaths worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends keeping PM2.5 levels below 15 µg/m³ per day and 5 µg/m³ per year to minimize health risks.