A new study has found a relationship between ambient air pollution and the mental health of those living in the United Kingdom. The findings indicate that when individuals are exposed to air pollution, even below the standards for air quality in the United Kingdom, they are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression.

The study, which was published in JAMA Psychiatry, offers insight into the potential consequences of long-term air pollution.

Mental disorders are a growing cause of disability. Public health priorities include identifying modifiable risk factors of anxiety and depression and developing prevention interventions. A growing body of research is linking ambient air pollutants to mental disorders. Multiple studies have found that exposure to air pollutants for a short time is linked with increased depression and anxiety.

Evidence of long-term impacts is contradictory, and few studies have examined the effects of air pollutants on depression and anxiety. Previous studies focused on air pollutants individually, despite ambient pollution consisting of particulate matter (PM) and gaseous pollutants.

In order to assess the consequences of long-term exposure to […]