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Writer's pictureDr Charles Glassman

The Neurological Impacts of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Monitoring indoor air quality is important in residential and commercial buildings. Poor indoor air quality can have harmful effects on your health. Some may show up right away, while long-term conditions take time to appear. You should take the neurological impacts of poor indoor air quality seriously. In commercial settings, operators use airflow measurement systems to ensure air quality standards are met. Find out what can happen to you if you spend too much time in a building that doesn’t monitor its air quality.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

Poor indoor air quality can cause your brain to age prematurely as nanoparticles make their way to the nervous system and wreak havoc on the brain. These fine particles in the air increase the risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s. Toxic air pollution is associated with a decrease in cognitive function.

Parkinson’s Disease

Individuals with Parkinson’s disease may also suffer due to poor indoor air quality. Toxic particles can clog the nervous system and damage cells. Damaged nerves are causes of Parkinson’s, which leads to low dopamine levels and tremors.

Stroke

Many people are hospitalized for strokes each day, many of which may be caused by exposure to poor indoor air quality. Toxic air particles can cause blood clots even after short-term exposure.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system caused by inflammation. Breathing poor-quality indoor air may trigger it due to particulate matter that can get inside your nervous system.

Schizophrenia

Data is not suggestive that poor indoor air quality directly causes mood disorders, but people who are exposed to low-quality air tend to struggle with depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia more than those who breathe cleaner air. Schizophrenia manifests in different ways, and it’s difficult to diagnose.

Poor Neurodevelopment

Poor indoor air quality in schools and day cares may have an adverse effect on the health of children. Chemicals present in the air may negatively affect developing brains, both in and outside of the womb. Studies suggest that children and fetuses exposed to high levels of toxins may develop cognitive disorders such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

Most of the neurological impacts of poor indoor air quality are irreversible. Your best bet is to prevent the horrid effects from happening in the first place. Keep yourself safe by living and working in clean environments.

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