Air pollution continues to wreak havoc in the national capital, Delhi, and the NCR region. On Monday morning, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at an average of 418, falling into the 'severe' category. Meanwhile, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 462, Burari 460, and Chandni Chowk 454.  Earlier on Sunday morning, the AQI was 437.

The rising air pollution amidst the biting cold is posing serious health risks. According to experts, the main reason for the persistently severe air quality is the prevailing weather conditions. The drop in temperature has led to a significant increase in pollution levels. A Western Disturbance is preventing the cold air trapped near the ground from rising. Pollutants such as vehicle exhaust and construction dust accumulate in this trapped cold air. When there is no rain and the wind is also slow, this trapped pollution cannot dissipate, making the situation much worse.

Health experts consider this level of air quality extremely dangerous. It not only increases the risk of chronic diseases but can also exacerbate various health problems for heart patients, pregnant women, children, and the elderly.

Air Pollution Also Affects the Brain

The increasing levels of polluted air, especially PM2.5, can contribute to heart disease. However, its ill effects are not limited to this. Health experts say that prolonged exposure to poor-quality air can also increase the risk of cognitive decline in people.

Scientists at the University of Cambridge say that long-term exposure to air pollution can increase the risk of developing dementia.
Dementia is a disease that affects the brain, severely impacting the ability to think, remember, reason, and perform daily activities.
In this disease, the brain cells begin to get damaged, which can lead to behavioral changes and difficulties in decision-making. Increased Risk of Dementia

To understand how air pollution affects our brains, a team of scientists reviewed more than 51 studies.

This included data from over 29 million people who had been exposed to air pollutants for at least one year.
The team found that prolonged exposure to pollutants led to changes in people's brains that could increase the risk of dementia.

What did the study reveal?

The study found that exposure to PM2.5 can increase a person's risk of dementia by 17%. Pollution from vehicle exhaust, power plants, and burning wood or other fuels severely contaminates the air. In cities where air quality remains consistently poor, people are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

Air pollution causes dementia by triggering neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and damage to blood vessels and brain cells. Fine particles like PM2.5 can travel to the brain through the lungs or nose, increasing the risk of damage to brain cells.

Children exposed to pollutants for extended periods have been found to have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life compared to other children.

Risk of Mental Health Issues and Depression

Health experts have warned that prolonged exposure to PM2.5 also increases the risk of mental health problems such as depression. In a recent report published in the JAMA Network, health experts warned that long-term exposure to pollutants such as PM2.5, which includes sulfates, ammonium, elemental carbon, and soil dust, can increase the risk of mental health problems like depression. Click here to read the full report.

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