Volunteers breathe exhaust, cleaning products for UK study

News

By Deirdre Bardolf

Volunteers in England are breathing in pollutants like diesel and cleaning products in the name of science.

Thirteen brave souls are taking part in a scientific study at the University of Manchester that requires them to wear masks hooked up to an air chamber that carefully feeds them four different types of pollutants to inhale, the BBC reported. Sometimes, they’re given clean air.

The study aims to see what impacts the fumes have on the brain. While the effects of pollutants on the lungs and cardiovascular system are more well known, fewer studies have focused on cognition.

Scientists called for volunteers with dementia or Alzheimer’s in their family histories to help understand the connection between pollution and the brain, according to the university.

“Over the last 10 years, we have begun to see statistical associations between air pollution and a whole range of brain-related issues — all the way from how children learn, the way in which their cognition changes, to mental health and increased risks of dementia,” Dr. Ian Mudway, an environmental toxicologist leading the study, told the BBC.

“What we’re trying to do in this study is to actually do experiments to understand why there’s an association, to find out what the underlying biological mechanisms are that link air pollution to adverse effects on the human brain,” he said.

Researchers create four different kinds of pollutants: diesel exhaust, wood smoke, cleaning products and cooking fumes.

An actual engine is used for the diesel exhaust and a pork chop is fried for the cooking fumes.

The scientists are analyzing blood samples and cognitive tests taken before and after exposure.

“If they can get more data on these sorts of things, it feels like it’s a really worthwhile use of my time to help with the study like this,” said Bryony Evens, one of the participants.

Some research has suggested that indoor air pollution may be more harmful than outdoor air pollution.

Almost the entire global population — 99% — breathes air that exceeds air quality limits and threatens their health, according to the World Health Organization.