Do you know?
Out of the 50 most polluted cities in the world--35 are in India. Pollution across the globe is an urban debate with no solution.
Pollution leaves a stain on our minds. Apart from physiological aspects, researchers have proved that dirty air and the environment have an adverse impact on our brains.
Pollution:
It is experienced though not captured or perceived. It is the introduction of harmful materials into our environment and these harmful materials are called pollutants.
It can be in form of smoke, suspended particulate matter(SPM), dust, radiation, noise, and smog apart from chemical pollutants.
Impacts of pollution on mind:
- Mental well-being is at higher risk.
- Children's cognitive abilities may damage.
- It can be a major cause of depression and increased stress levels.
- There can be a cognitive decline in adults.
- Noise can lead to deafness, impairment in hearing, dementia, etc.
- Irritation, mood swings, and tiresome body and mind can all result from pollution.
- Even emotional disturbances can be seen in adolescents and adults.
- Traffic congestion, smoke, honking, and suspended particulate matter can be related to anger outbursts.
- Pollution can hamper the growth of intellectual abilities.
- Memory, verbal and non-verbal I.Q can decline due to high levels of carbon exposure
- Children can show attention problems while adults can exhibit signs of anxiety and depression.
- Neurological symptoms can be severe.
- Increasing concerns about Alzheimer's and Parkinson's can be contributed to pollution.
- Urban pollution has an impact on the prefrontal cortex of the brain and can result in brain inflammation.
- Behavioral changes can be seen in children.
- Disgust, fear, the decline in health, stress due to illness, hopelessness, egoism, narrow-mindedness, and parochialism is on the rise in urban life.
- Learning problems can be related to pollution too as studies suggest children exposed to a greater duration of polluted air showed a higher risk of learning disorders.
- Inflammation and oxidative stress can be related to the pollution which can lead to depression.
- Air pollutants can activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and release stress hormones.
- Pollution impairs happiness by damaging health.
- Pollution in the air, water, and even in food get into the body leading to brain dysfunction, psychiatric disorders, and swelling in nerve tissue.
- Mood disorders
- Sexual disorders
- Pollution causes a decline in productivity, well-being, and household affairs.
- Reproductive disorders and infertility cases are on the rise and pollution also contributes to this factor.
- Behavioral changes and depressive-like responses can be seen.
- Poor memory, poor concentration, and attention disorders result.
- Noise and digital pollution are also sources of mental illness.
Hence we can say pollution is also responsible for both physiological and psychological damage. There can be alterations in both mind and body processes.
The decreasing civility and declining humanity speak all about mental health.
As responsible citizens of the world we can with our actions and day-to-day activities regulate climate change and put a check on pollution. Simple measures like a car pool, using a cycle or walking wherever possible, reducing the number of vehicles at home, cleaning houses regularly, keeping waters clean, and soils healthy, noiseless celebrations, etc. can foster physical and mental health.
Let's all make the air breathable, water drinkable, and soils livable. If the quality of air, water, the soil is improved it has a great impact on mental well-being.
Let us all have a mega-watt smile of happiness, health, comfort, and mental welfare. Let's strive for psychological resilience, calmness, and wellness.
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