Air pollution linked to mental illness

[Twosugars]

People who spend their childhood in areas with high levels of air pollution may be more likely to later develop mental disorders, research suggests.

Air pollution has become a matter of growing concern as an increasing number of studies have found links to conditions ranging from asthma to dementia and various types of cancer.

There are also signs it may take a toll on mental health. Research published in January found that children growing up in the more polluted areas of London were more likely to have depression by the age of 18 than those growing up in areas with cleaner air.

But a study by researchers in the US and Denmark has suggested a link between air pollution and an increased risk of mental health problems, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and personality disorders.

Between 1% and 2% of the UK population have bipolar disorder in their lifetime, with similar figures for schizophrenia. It is estimated that about 5% of people in the UK have a personality disorder at any one time.
More here https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/aug/20/growing-up-in-air-polluted-areas-linked-to-mental-health-issues

[user104658]

I'd be interested to know what the control factors are that lead them to believe that air pollution, specifically, is to blame? Because I'd hazard a guess that the most polluted areas are the most built-up and busy areas... And might it not be that it's "city living" itself - as opposed to quieter suburbs or country villages - that's detrimental to mental health, rather than the air pollution itself?

[Twosugars]

I'd be interested to know what the control factors are that lead them to believe that air pollution, specifically, is to blame? Because I'd hazard a guess that the most polluted areas are the most built-up and busy areas... And might it not be that it's "city living" itself - as opposed to quieter suburbs or country villages - that's detrimental to mental health, rather than the air pollution itself?

Possible. But also possible that pollutants affect brain as an organ as they affect other organs. Mental illnesses can have biochemical dimension as well as psychological

[Oliver_W]

Is that everyone in that London is so barmy?