Cradle to grave impact of air pollution underscored by new possible link to Alzheimers, says Blueair

Stockholm, Sweden, September 17, 2016 – Blueair, a world leader in indoor air purification solutions, said today the cradle to grave impact of industrial and traffic air pollution is underlined by new scientific evidence for the first time showing how minute particles can enter the human brain and possibly spark Alzheimer's disease.

A joint British-Mexican team of medical scientists discovered microscopic magnetic particles from air pollution lodged in the brain tissue of a test group of individuals from Manchester, England, and Mexico City who suffered neurodegenerative disease. The researchers found traces in the brain tissue studied of a toxic particle called magnetite, a toxic mineral generated by industrial pollution, vehicle exhausts and open fires.

“Our results indicate that magnetite nanoparticles in the atmosphere can enter the human brain, where they might pose a risk to human health, including conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease,” said Professor Barbara Maher, a member of the research team at the UK’s Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University.

The scientists said that although their research was not conclusive, they believed the finding indicated further research should be prioritised to probe the impact of air pollution on neurodegenerative diseases. Over 46 million people around the world today suffer from Alzheimers or a related dementia; a figures expected to grow to 131.5 million by 2050, according to the 2015 World Alzheimer Report, which analyses the prevalence, incidence and cost of the disease.

“This study yet again shows the insidious threat posed by outdoor and indoor air pollution,” said Blueair founder and CEO Bengt Rittri. He noted how air pollution is linked by numerous studies to a host of human health problems, including respiratory disease and heart attack.

The British-Mexican research paper, Magnetite pollution nanoparticles in the human brain, was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal.

For more information, please contact David Noble, Blueair head of global public relations, on +44 7785 302 694 or david.noble@blueair.com.