Psychiatric aspects of air pollution

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Psychiatric aspects of air pollution.

Lundberg A.

Psychological and toxic effects of air pollution can lead to

psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety and changes in mood,

cognition, and behavior. Increased levels of some air pollutants are

accompanied by an increase in psychiatric admissions and emergency

calls and, in some studies, by changes in behavior and a reduction

in psychological well-being. Numerous toxic pollutants interfere

with the development and adult functioning of the nervous system.

Manifestations are often insidious or delayed, but they can provide

a more sensitive indicator of toxic effects than cancer rates or

mortality data. Other medical effects of air pollution, such as

asthma, can indirectly affect psychological health. The sick

building syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity are conditions

with toxicologic and psychiatric aspects. Psychosocial stress can

cause symptoms similar to those of organic mental disorders.

Reactions to stress depend on cultural, individual, and situational

variables. We must understand these factors to be able to alleviate

and prevent the consequences of environmental trauma. Expanded

research is recommended in three main areas: (1) how people perceive

and cope with environmental health risks, (2) the effects of air

pollution on behavior and neuropsychological functioning, and (3)

neurotoxicologic evaluation of air pollutants with both behavioral

and in vitro studies.

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