Common US environmental pollutants can cause stress

A link between common US environmental toxins and depression symptoms has been revealed by scientists.

In a study of 3,427 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers analyzed blood and urine samples, measuring levels of 27 toxins. A significant correlation was found between high pollution exposure and depressive symptoms.

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“This research adds to the growing body of evidence linking environmental toxins to mental health problems, including depression. Related evidence, including my research, links air pollution , particularly nitrogen dioxide and matter, to mental health problems in young people and adults, including psychosis and depression,” Joanne Newbury, Sir Henry Wellcome Research Fellow at the University of Bristol, who as he worked in education, he said. Newsweek.

“The findings highlight the importance, from a public health and policy perspective, for considering all exposures when seeking to improve the mental health of the population. Environmental toxins may be a major area of ​​intervention to improve mental health, which represents an increasing burden around the world.”

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Of the 10 groups examined, the study identified six with stress-related toxicities.

These include acrylamide and glycidamide, ethylene oxide, two types of metals, three types of nicotine metabolites, six types of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 14 types of volatile organic compounds ( VOC) metabolites.

Specifically, people with visible levels of MHBMA were found to have a 74 percent higher risk of depressive symptoms compared to those with invisible levels. MHBMA is often measured as a biomarker to assess exposure to butadiene, a chemical commonly found in industrial exhaust, cigarette smoke and vehicle exhaust.

“We need better research and ways to measure toxicants and respond to improve indoor and outdoor air quality, and control known toxicants. Protecting people at a critical time in development , youth, pregnancy, when they live with other health problems, it is important, “Kamaldeep. Bhui, a professor of psychiatry at Oxford University who was not involved in the study, said. Newsweek.

In addition, high levels of nicotine metabolites, substances produced when the body breaks down nicotine, were also associated with a greater risk of depression.

Specifically, the chemicals TNE-2 and total hydroxycotinine were found to increase symptoms by 42 percent and 41 percent, respectively.

Newbury notes some limitations in the study, particularly its cross-sectional nature and lack of genetic information.

“The study does not show, for example, if pre-existing depression predisposes participants to behaviors such as smoking, which increased exposure to toxins, or whether genetic factors associated with depression and/or or inflammation affect the way people use toxins,” he said.

Men and younger people also appear to be more vulnerable to environmental toxins than women and older adults, with 20 toxicants linked to symptoms in men and 23 in people age 65 or younger. . This association was well known for nicotine metabolites and VOCs.

However, Bhui cautioned, “I would approach gender-specific research with caution.”

“We need to understand the specific patterns of toxicants within each group, and whether exposure is related to work, the indoor and outdoor environment, or the selection bias of women in education, rather than reaching definitions of biology.

“Although they may be important, they may have limited hypotheses from this type of study (as well) with residual confusion and other possible be prejudiced by this.”

Importantly, the study also shows that elevated levels of systemic inflammation, as measured by the total white blood cell count, may be an important link between exposure to toxins and symptoms of stress. feelings.

“We are becoming increasingly aware of how air quality and pollution, both organic and inorganic particles in the air, can lead to poor health in general, including depression and other mental illnesses, as well as affecting neurodevelopment at critical stages of human growth like adolescence,” Bhui added.

“One mechanism is inflammation caused directly by particles entering the body, but this mechanism may overlap with other environmental problems associated with increased inflammation.”

As Newbury points out, many people are often surprised to learn that pollutants and toxins can harm their mental health, stressing that more public awareness “is definitely needed.”

In general, the public doesn’t know much about emerging research like this, except maybe about efforts to reduce diesel fuel production and low-temperature areas and reduce the carbon footprint, Bhui said.

“We need more information about indoor and outdoor pollution, alcohol and how to protect people throughout life,” he said.

“This area of ​​research has been largely neglected, for example, in trying to understand why certain areas such as cities lead to better health care and why instead of so much inequality in terms of geography and population.

“Occupational exposure should also be considered, as well as protecting schools and hospitals and care homes, for example, from COVID and bioaerosols.”

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