Air pollution can impair brain function, perhaps leading to slower reaction times, mental fatigue, learning difficulties, and early signs of dementia. Emotional symptoms like depression and listlessness may also occur.
Cities Facing Meaningful Fine Dust Pollution Affecting Brain Health
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an annual average fine dust limit of 5 µg/m³.The current EU limit stands at 25 µg/m³, with plans to reduce it to 10 µg/m³ by 2030. Research indicates that prolonged exposure to fine dust levels between 5 and 10 µg/m³ can negatively impact the brain and cognitive abilities, according to researcher Aretz.
While Stuttgart is often associated with high fine dust pollution, with past exceedances of daily limits and measures like fine dust alarms, moss walls, and diesel driving bans, the city has met legal air pollution control limits at all measurement stations since 2018, as stated on its official website.
For the annual average of air pollution in 2024, elevated levels were recorded in Cottbus, Schönefeld, Berlin-Neukölln, and Blankenfelde-Mahlow. Though, these figures can vary year to year. Aretz notes that cities like berlin, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Munich, and Hamburg consistently experience relatively high long-term fine dust levels, generally between 8-11 µg/m³.Exposure within this range can also result in adverse effects on cognition and brain health.
