Even brief exposure to traffic pollution impairs brain function, new study finds

In total, 25 adults between 19 and 49 were exposed to two hours of both filtered air and air contaminated with diesel exhaust. Participants received a functional MRI scan before and after each treatment, enabling researchers to monitor each subject’s brain activity. “The findings are not surprising to me, given the tremendous amount of observational research that already exists,” she said. “We reviewed 1,858 articles related to the health harms of traffic-related air pollution,” Green said, referencing a 2022 report she helped review. “Air pollution is just now another one of those things that people should be thinking about.”Joanna Chiu is a B.C.-based staff reporter for the Star.