As we are moving into the twenty-first century, industrialization advances at a speeding rate, bearing the gift of technological development. This advancement is beneficial to the progress of humanity and a brighter future. However, an overlooked product of technological advancement is pollution, more specifically, air pollution. Air pollution is composed of many particles and pollutants, some visible in the air, while others are invisible to the naked eye. We will be focusing on an individual air pollute which is labeled as PM 2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of fewer than 2.5 micrometers). In this article, we will discuss the effects of PM 2.5 on human cognitive functions and neurological health, as well as how we can help to reduce this pollutant. 

To understand how PM 2.5 affects human health, we must first discuss where it is found. As mentioned, PM 2.5 is an air contaminant that is a product of industrialization which is why it is expected to be found mostly in more populated areas. However, in an article published in October of 2020 on nature.com, Xiaoke Sun and colleagues suggested that PM 2.5 can easily travel to urban and rural areas through the air due to its lightweight nature. Currently, PM 2.5 is found across the globe, but in higher concentrations in Asia and South East Asia. If the current industrialization process is not changed, the levels of PM 2.5 can dramatically increase across the world, dooming the environment and our future generations.

What makes PM 2.5 dangerous is its catastrophic effect on human cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and concentration. As presented in PubMed’s article on PM 2.5 and its relevance to cerebrovascular disease, as the concentration of PM 2.5 increases, the rate of cerebrovascular disease also increases. Cerebrovascular disease is a type of vascular brain disease where the supply of blood to the brain is compromised due to causes such as blood clots, as stated by Walker HK and co-editors in their book, Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations, 3rd edition. With that said, if there is a lack of blood supply to the brain, then there is subsequently a lack of oxygen. As presented in Dementia Australia, deprivation of blood flow to the brain can limit psychological and mental performance such as memory and other cognitive functions because any form of cognitive function requires “fuel” in the form of Oxygen, glucose, and other nutrients, which is brought to the brain via the blood. 

These cognitive functions are a major factor in everyday life for humans because they are the main function for us to live our lives safely and effectively. With the impairments to our mind resulting from PM 2.5, we put our cognition and our lives at risk. So, it is crucial to understand that PM 2.5 is a dangerous pollutant that we seem to overlook. 

With that said, how can we help to reduce the amount of PM 2.5? Firstly, cities and countries that have not yet turned to renewable energy should consider changing their energy harvesting practices. This can be turning to geothermal energy, windmills, hydro energy, the list goes on. If citizens can push their government to change their energy harvesting practices to more sustainable practices, the levels of PM 2.5 will plummet significantly. In the meantime, families themselves can use solar panels to harvest solar energy to run their electricity. This might not seem like a remarkable change, but if every family who can afford solar panels makes a switch in their energy consumption habits, then it will make a huge difference. 

The air pollutant PM 2.5 is a serious issue to human cognitive functions and neurological health. This particle can lead to cerebrovascular disease, and with it comes the inhibition of cognition. These cognitive functions are crucial for humans to go on with their daily lives because it is the principal functions that we use to operate effectively and safely. Although PM 2.5 can lead to long-lasting effects, we can help reduce the amount that is present in our environment. First, countries can change their methods of generating energy by using renewable sources of energy such as geothermal energy. Secondly, families can change their energy consumption by turning to solar energy by the means of solar panels. These changes can considerably reduce the amount of PM 2.5 in our environment, and in turn, would help keep the health of our generation and future generations in a safe condition.