Environmental pollution affecting mental health
Keywords:
Environmental pollution, Mental health, Psychological distress, Psychiatric disorders, Cognitive function, Neuroinflammation, Oxidative stress, Neurotoxicity, Neurotransmitters, Socio-demographic factors, Public health policy.Abstract
Environmental pollution is a pressing global issue with far-reaching impacts on human health and well-being. While much attention has been given to the physical health effects of pollution, its influence on mental health has gained increasing recognition in recent years. This paper explores the complex relationship between environmental pollution and mental health outcomes, highlighting the various pathways through which pollution exposure may contribute to psychological distress, psychiatric disorders, and impaired cognitive function. Drawing upon existing literature and empirical evidence, the paper examines the psychological mechanisms underlying the link between pollution and mental health, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, and disruptions in neurotransmitter systems. Moreover, it discusses the socio-demographic and environmental factors that may exacerbate vulnerability to pollution-related mental health effects, such as socioeconomic status, geographic location, and exposure to multiple environmental stressors. The paper also discusses implications for public health policy, intervention strategies, and future research directions aimed at mitigating the adverse mental health impacts of environmental pollution and promoting resilience in affected populations.
References
• Attademo, L., Bernardini, F., Garinella, R., & Compton, M. T. (2017). Environmental pollution and risk of psychotic disorders: A review of the science to date. Schizophrenia research, 181, 55-59.
• Demeneix, B. (2014). Losing our minds: how environmental pollution impairs human intelligence and mental health. Oxford University Press, USA.
• Gu, H., Yan, W., Elahi, E., & Cao, Y. (2020). Air pollution risks human mental health: an implication of two-stages least squares estimation of interaction effects. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27(2), 2036-2043.
• Marazziti, D., Cianconi, P., Mucci, F., Foresi, L., Chiarantini, I., & Della Vecchia, A. (2021). Climate change, environment pollution, COVID-19 pandemic and mental health. Science of the total environment, 773, 145182.
• Signoretta, P. E., Buffel, V., & Bracke, P. (2019). Mental wellbeing, air pollution and the ecological state. Health & place, 57, 82-91
• Ventriglio, A., Bellomo, A., di Gioia, I., Di Sabatino, D., Favale, D., De Berardis, D., & Cianconi, P. (2021). Environmental pollution and mental health: a narrative review of literature. CNS spectrums, 26(1), 51-61.
• Wang, L. (2020). Impacts of environmental pollution behaviors on mental health emotions and relevant countermeasures. Revista Argentina de Clínica Psicológica, 29(1), 701.
• Website: https://nachvac.com/how-can-air- quality-affect-your-mental-health/
