The air we breathe every day does not only affect our lungs and heart. New research shows that air pollution can also harm our brain and memory. In particular, fine particulate matter – emitted from traffic, industry and wildfires – has been linked to decreased cognitive function. Let’s see how pollution affects your brain.
Does it really affect the brain?
This study was done by researchers from McMaster University in Canada and it was published online in the journal ‘Stroke’ on May 13, 2026. The research found that people living in areas with high air pollution performed relatively worse on tests measuring memory, comprehension and mental processing speed. Interestingly, this effect was seen even in areas where the level of air pollution is considered low according to international standards.
Which type of pollution has the greatest impact?
The research also revealed that MRI scans showed mild brain damage in people who were more exposed to traffic-related pollution. This effect was seen more in women. Researchers also took into account heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and excess body fat; Still, the link between air pollution and brain changes persisted.
gradual effect
Russell D’Souza, associate professor in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact at McMaster University, explains that dementia does not happen suddenly; It develops slowly over several decades. To protect brain health in the future, it is important to identify factors that can cause brain damage in the early stages. Although this study does not directly prove that air pollution causes dementia, it adds another important link to the growing body of scientific evidence that air quality can affect memory and thinking as we age. Sandy Azab, lead author of the study and an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University, says that although Canada’s air is often considered clean, their results show that even low levels of air pollution can affect brain health. These changes often begin years earlier, without any obvious symptoms.
Study on thinking ability
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 7,000 middle-aged people. They examined the link between long-term exposure to pollutants such as PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide and thinking ability. Experts believe that future long-term studies will help clarify the role of clean air in protecting the brain and maintaining memory.