Bad News for Chiang Mai Smog Sufferers
Bad Air Days in Chiang Mai Not Good News for Brain
The journal of Particle and Fibre Toxicology has revealed in a recent study that the human brain is adversely affected by even short exposure to diesel exhaust. A thirty minute exposure to fumes from diesel engines can induce a stress response in the brain. It has already been shown in previous studies that nanoparticles from polluted air pass through the blood-brain barrier and end up in brain tissue.
Two groups of ten subjects were monitored by electroencephalograph. (EEG).
One group was exposed to clean air, the other to a level of diesel exhaust comparable to heavy traffic or in a garage. All subjects were monitored during the half hour session and for one hour afterward.
Paul Borm, the lead researcher from Zuyd University in The Netherlands, commented, “We believe our findings are due to an effect of nanoparticles or ’soot’ particles that are major component of diesel exhaust. These may penetrate to the brain and affect brain function. We can only speculate what these effects may mean for the chronic exposure to air pollution encountered in busy cities where the levels of such soot particles can be very high.”
This time of year is always the worst here in Chiang Mai, but remember that anytime you are stuck in traffic in a taxi or Tuk Tuk, you are being exposed diesel exhaust including fumes and particles at levels that have been shown to have adverse health affects. Long term exposure over time spans of years can only worsen the results. The one good piece of news for Chiang Mai residents is that this year seems to be better than last year.
Bad News for Chiang Mai Smog Sufferers
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