Scientists: Air Pollution So Bad It’s ‘Linked to Suicide’

Suicide may be linked to air pollution, according to new research that finds spikes in completed suicides in the days following peak pollution levels.

Concerningly, this finding by scientists in the USA has been duplicated by other studies which have been conducted in South Korea, Taiwan, and Canada. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. This statistic is higher in those states which regularly produce higher amounts of air pollution near populated areas.

Many agree that suicide is to a great extent a product of mental illness. Different types of mental illness can precipitate different kinds of thoughts and feelings which can drive a person to taking their own lives. That air pollution can contribute to various mental disorders is a key link which everyone ought to be aware of.

“Suicide is complicated. Unsurprisingly, mental illness plays a huge role — at least 90 percent of people who die by suicide have a diagnosable mental disorder, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).”

Because the quality of the air we breathe directly affects mental health, our state of mind can be easily affected by air pollution.

The specific mix of chemicals and contaminants, which are found in the largest amount of any given source of air pollution, is of critical importance, as is the concentration of those airborne pollutants. Some chemicals can have significantly more impact on the brain and mental health than others.

The Anatomy of the Nose, the Olfactory Nerve and Nasal Breathing

It is not a well known fact, even in medical circles, that the tissue sounding the olfactory nerve does not constitute a true blood-brain barrier. A high integrity blood-brain barrier possesses 8 layers of cells for adequate protection.

This prevents the passing through of unwanted toxins and chemicals into the brain. The number of layers surrounding the olfactory nerve is only 5 cells in thickness. Herein lies the potential problem for those who live or work downwind from incessant air pollution.

Read: 9 Cleansing House Plants to Clean the Air in Your Home

With the profusion of chemicals which now permeate the ambient air of most people living in urban environments, the physiology of the nose has demonstrated its inherent limitations. The human body has not evolved sufficiently to interact with so much chemical pollution.

The area surrounding the olfactory nerve does permit some of these chemicals to pass through the blood-brain barrier. Those chemicals which are more invasive and dangerous to human health therefore ought to be avoided whenever possible.

The more regular the exposure to aerosolized chemicals, especially neurotoxic agents, the more likely mental imbalances will occur. A sustained level of exposure to toxic chemicals can eventually produce depression, brain fog, memory loss, fuzzy thinking as well as many other symptoms.

For individuals who are genetically predisposed or have chemical sensitivities, suicidal thoughts can emerge. The fact is that the quality of our air can directly affect our state of mind.

This established link between air pollution and suicide is important for everyone to be aware of. The quality of our indoor air is something we do have more control over. Perhaps these revelations can serve as an incentive to improve our home and office air quality by properly maintaining the HVAC systems, and especially by regularly changing the filters.