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Several recent studies have found that constant exposure to high levels of air pollution has negative effects on the brain. The last post described negative effects on the gray matter in brains (resulting in smaller brain volumes) of elderly women from air pollution, but this study found negative effects (lower grade point averages) in young ...continue reading "Air Pollution and School Children"

Two studies that found a link with air pollution and health effects.The first found a narrowing of the carotid arteries (that bring blood to brain). This narrowing (stenosis) occurs prior to strokes. While this could be explained by other factors (for example, by especially poor diets or cigarette smoking), the link between high air pollution ...continue reading "Air Pollution Linked to Narrowing of Arteries"

Another reason to be concerned about air pollution. And another study showing a link with environmental chemicals (this time coarse and fine particulate matter, known as PM10, which arises in part from traffic-related air pollution) and autism. From Science Daily: Researcher adds to evidence linking autism to air pollutants A researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ...continue reading "Air Pollution Link With Autism"

There have been a number of recent studies finding various harms from air pollution - both for children and adults.The following are all from Science Daily: Living near major roads may increase risk of sudden cardiac death in women Living near a major road was associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death in ...continue reading "Air Pollution and Health Effects"

For years research has linked some pesticides and toxic chemicals with the development of Parkinson's disease. Recent research from the military base Camp Lejeune strongly suggests that one possible cause of PD is the toxic chemical trichloroethylene (TCE). The drinking water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with high levels of TCE and perchloroethylene (PCE) for ...continue reading "The Case For Some Toxic Chemicals Causing Parkinson’s Disease"

A widely used cleaning chemical (even in dry cleaning!) has been linked to Parkinson's disease by an international team of researchers. In a piece published in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease, they built a strong case that the chemical trichloroethylene (TCE) is one of the causes of Parkinson's disease. This is based on the existing ...continue reading "Common Cleaning Chemical Linked to Parkinson’s Disease"

Tiny particles of plastic, called microplastics, have now been detected in human blood. Yikes! We all know that plastic pollution is a serious problem in the environment, but recent research has been finding it in our food, in the air, in water, in rain, our organs (including our lungs and brain), human placentas, and now ...continue reading "Microplastics Are Found In Human Blood"

Something to ponder: Are tiny plastic particles (microplastics) that enter the human body traveling to the brain and causing harm? An article by the science writer Erica Cirino examines that question by looking at existing research and comes to the disturbing conclusion of: Yes, they are. Yes, that plastic particles are inhaled or ingested (in ...continue reading "Microplastics Are Entering Our Bodies"

It's finally over. One hundred years after leaded gasoline was first introduced, it is finally no longer used in automobiles and road vehicles anywhere in the world. Algeria was the last country to use leaded gas (it had stockpiles of it and wanted to use it up), and in July 2021 they made the switch ...continue reading "Leaded Gas For Cars Is No Longer Being Used Anywhere In the World"

Another recent study found an association with pesticide exposure (both herbicides and insecticides) and leukemia risk in infants and children. The study found that exposure prenatally or during childhood to pesticides increases the risk for leukemia. (Keep in mind that cancer in childhood is rare, but it does occur.) Researchers at the School of Medicine ...continue reading "Pesticide Exposure and Increased Leukemia Risk In Children"