For many years Westies have been concerned about the adverse health effects of living in a heavily air polluted area.
Increased exposure to toxic ultrafine particles chugging out of the diesel trucks that frequent the western suburbs leads to strokes, bladder cancer, type two diabetes, asthma, coronary heart disease, and more.
Now, there are increasing studies connecting air pollution and Alzheimer’s disease.
In September last year, researchers from The University of Michigan found a link between air pollutants and dementia, and in April this year, scientists at Emory University conducted a study of over 1000 participants in Atlanta and found that high levels of air pollutants increase the chance of developing Alzheimer’s Disease.
Consolidating this research, academics at the University of Technology Sydney found that magnetite, a toxic air pollutant in diesel fumes, can lead to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Our study “found that air pollution particles from diesel combustion can indeed contribute to neurodegeneration”, say Dr Kristine McGrath and Dr Cindy Gunawan, both Associate Professors in the Faculty of Science at University of Technology Sydney.
Exposure to magnetite air pollutant particles can cause an increase in neuron cell death in the area of the brain responsible for memory functions, they say.
“This exposure was also associated with memory loss, increased anxiety, and stress, which are common symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease.”
Importantly, the study found that exposure to magnetite particles can trigger neurodegeneration regardless of pre-existing conditions.
We already know that the health impacts from air pollution are serious, but according to Martin Wurt there are still no large-scale efforts being taken by governments to protect residents in the western suburbs and beyond. He’s the President of the Maribyrnong Truck Action Group (MTAG), and has been campaigning to get trucks off residential streets in the west since 2006.
via The Westsider