Particulate Matter and Associated Metals: A Link with Neurotoxicity and Mental Health
Particulate air pollution (PM) is a mixture of heterogenous components from natural and anthropogenic sources and contributes to a variety of serious illnesses, including neurological and behavioral effects, as well as millions of premature deaths. Ultrafine (PM<sub>0.1</sub>) and fine-s...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-03-01
|
| Series: | Atmosphere |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/4/425 |
| _version_ | 1827696711686946816 |
|---|---|
| author | Nicole A. Potter Gabriella Y. Meltzer Oyemwenosa N. Avenbuan Amna Raja Judith T. Zelikoff |
| author_facet | Nicole A. Potter Gabriella Y. Meltzer Oyemwenosa N. Avenbuan Amna Raja Judith T. Zelikoff |
| author_sort | Nicole A. Potter |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Particulate air pollution (PM) is a mixture of heterogenous components from natural and anthropogenic sources and contributes to a variety of serious illnesses, including neurological and behavioral effects, as well as millions of premature deaths. Ultrafine (PM<sub>0.1</sub>) and fine-size ambient particles (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) can enter the circulatory system and cross the blood–brain barrier or enter through the optic nerve, and then upregulate inflammatory markers and increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain. Toxic and neurotoxic metals such as manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and barium (Ba) can adsorb to the PM surface and potentially contribute to the neurotoxic effects associated with PM exposure. Epidemiological studies have shown a negative relationship between exposure to PM-associated Mn and neurodevelopment amongst children, as well as impaired dexterity in the elderly. Inhaled PM-associated Cu has also been shown to impair motor performance and alter basal ganglia in schoolchildren. This paper provides a brief review of the epidemiological and toxicological studies published over the last five years concerning inhaled PM, PM-relevant metals, neurobiology, and mental health outcomes. Given the growing interest in mental health and the fact that 91% of the world’s population is considered to be exposed to unhealthy air, more research on PM and PM-associated metals and neurological health is needed for future policy decisions and strategic interventions to prevent public harm. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:53:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-74088207eddc4e889a3bfcf1edff2caa |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:53:17Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-74088207eddc4e889a3bfcf1edff2caa2023-11-21T12:06:30ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332021-03-0112442510.3390/atmos12040425Particulate Matter and Associated Metals: A Link with Neurotoxicity and Mental HealthNicole A. Potter0Gabriella Y. Meltzer1Oyemwenosa N. Avenbuan2Amna Raja3Judith T. Zelikoff4Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 341 East 25th Street, New York, NY 10010, USADepartment of Social and Behavioral Sciences, New York University School of Public Health, 715/719 Broadway, New York, NY 10003, USADepartment of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 341 East 25th Street, New York, NY 10010, USADepartment of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 341 East 25th Street, New York, NY 10010, USADepartment of Environmental Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 341 East 25th Street, New York, NY 10010, USAParticulate air pollution (PM) is a mixture of heterogenous components from natural and anthropogenic sources and contributes to a variety of serious illnesses, including neurological and behavioral effects, as well as millions of premature deaths. Ultrafine (PM<sub>0.1</sub>) and fine-size ambient particles (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) can enter the circulatory system and cross the blood–brain barrier or enter through the optic nerve, and then upregulate inflammatory markers and increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain. Toxic and neurotoxic metals such as manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and barium (Ba) can adsorb to the PM surface and potentially contribute to the neurotoxic effects associated with PM exposure. Epidemiological studies have shown a negative relationship between exposure to PM-associated Mn and neurodevelopment amongst children, as well as impaired dexterity in the elderly. Inhaled PM-associated Cu has also been shown to impair motor performance and alter basal ganglia in schoolchildren. This paper provides a brief review of the epidemiological and toxicological studies published over the last five years concerning inhaled PM, PM-relevant metals, neurobiology, and mental health outcomes. Given the growing interest in mental health and the fact that 91% of the world’s population is considered to be exposed to unhealthy air, more research on PM and PM-associated metals and neurological health is needed for future policy decisions and strategic interventions to prevent public harm.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/4/425particulate matterair pollutionparticulate air pollutionmetal inhalationambient metalsparticulate matter associated metals |
| spellingShingle | Nicole A. Potter Gabriella Y. Meltzer Oyemwenosa N. Avenbuan Amna Raja Judith T. Zelikoff Particulate Matter and Associated Metals: A Link with Neurotoxicity and Mental Health Atmosphere particulate matter air pollution particulate air pollution metal inhalation ambient metals particulate matter associated metals |
| title | Particulate Matter and Associated Metals: A Link with Neurotoxicity and Mental Health |
| title_full | Particulate Matter and Associated Metals: A Link with Neurotoxicity and Mental Health |
| title_fullStr | Particulate Matter and Associated Metals: A Link with Neurotoxicity and Mental Health |
| title_full_unstemmed | Particulate Matter and Associated Metals: A Link with Neurotoxicity and Mental Health |
| title_short | Particulate Matter and Associated Metals: A Link with Neurotoxicity and Mental Health |
| title_sort | particulate matter and associated metals a link with neurotoxicity and mental health |
| topic | particulate matter air pollution particulate air pollution metal inhalation ambient metals particulate matter associated metals |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/4/425 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nicoleapotter particulatematterandassociatedmetalsalinkwithneurotoxicityandmentalhealth AT gabriellaymeltzer particulatematterandassociatedmetalsalinkwithneurotoxicityandmentalhealth AT oyemwenosanavenbuan particulatematterandassociatedmetalsalinkwithneurotoxicityandmentalhealth AT amnaraja particulatematterandassociatedmetalsalinkwithneurotoxicityandmentalhealth AT judithtzelikoff particulatematterandassociatedmetalsalinkwithneurotoxicityandmentalhealth |