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Older Diesel Engines ​Linked to Brain Cell Damage, Raising Concerns⁤ About Neurodegenerative Disease Risk

Recent research indicates that⁢ emissions from older diesel engines‌ may pose a threat to ​brain health, specifically impacting crucial⁤ immune cells called microglia. While modern diesel vehicles equipped with Euro 6 standards and particle filters produce substantially “cleaner” emissions, ⁤older models lacking these technologies release particles that demonstrably ‍disrupt microglial function, potentially increasing the risk of chronic neuroinflammation and ‌neurodegenerative diseases.

Microglia⁤ act as the brain’s primary immune defense, constantly⁢ working to clear cellular waste​ and⁣ maintain ⁣balance. ‍A study led by Dr. Sohvi Ohtonen at Karolinska Institutet⁣ exposed microglia to particles from both older (“A20, A0”) and newer (“E6”) diesel engines. The ‍results ⁢were stark: exposure to particles from older engines triggered marked changes ‌in gene expression,‌ reduced activity in lysosomes ⁢and phagocytosis (cellular ⁣waste removal ‍processes), and⁣ activated cellular stress pathways like ferroptosis ‌and pyroptosis. These disruptions hinder the brain’s ability to ​clear waste, fostering an surroundings conducive to chronic ​neuroinflammation.

In contrast, E6 particles from modern, Euro 6 ​compliant engines⁣ had “almost no impact” ‍on the microglia under the study’s ​conditions.However, researchers caution that even prolonged exposure to⁤ diesel pollution from ⁣newer vehicles⁣ could still⁤ contribute to an increased risk of brain diseases, suggesting ​further refinement of fuel composition -‌ specifically reducing aromatic compounds​ and black carbon – ​could mitigate⁢ toxicity‍ across all vehicle types.

The key difference lies ‌in the⁣ particle composition. Older diesel engines, “often lacking modern ⁢filtration systems“, generate particles rich in black carbon‍ and polycyclic aromatic‌ hydrocarbons ⁣(PAHs). Modern Euro 6 vehicles, equipped with particle filters,‍ primarily emit E6 particles with significantly‍ lower concentrations of these toxic components.

Determining which category your vehicle falls into is straightforward: check section V.9 of⁤ your vehicle’s registration ⁣document (gray card). The presence⁣ of “EURO 6”, “EURO⁢ 6b”, or “EURO 6d-TEMP” indicates compliance with ⁢the‍ newer, cleaner standards.

This research aligns with broader studies linking air pollution – particularly ⁣fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen ⁣dioxide, and soot -​ to an increased⁣ risk ​of ⁣dementia. The findings underscore that air pollution’s impact extends beyond ‍the lungs, directly affecting brain ‍health and ⁤potentially contributing to ​the progress of neurodegenerative diseases. Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of different engine and ‍fuel technologies on brain function.