Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Cognitive Function in Older Men
Author Information
Author(s): Melinda C. Power, Marc G. Weisskopf, Stacey E. Alexeeff, Brent A. Coull, Avron III Spiro, Joel Schwartz
Primary Institution: Harvard School of Public Health
Hypothesis
Exposure to black carbon (BC), a marker of traffic-related air pollution, would be associated with cognitive function in a cohort of older men.
Conclusion
Ambient traffic-related air pollution was associated with decreased cognitive function in older men.
Supporting Evidence
- A doubling in BC was associated with a 1.3 times higher odds of having a low MMSE score.
- A doubling of BC was associated with a 0.054 SD lower test score in global cognitive function.
- The effect size of BC exposure on cognitive function was similar to a 1.9-year difference in age.
Takeaway
Breathing in pollution from traffic can make older men think less clearly.
Methodology
The study assessed cognitive function in 680 older men using a battery of seven cognitive tests and estimated long-term exposure to black carbon from traffic-related air pollution.
Potential Biases
Potential misclassification of exposure and cognitive function could lead to an underestimation of the true association.
Limitations
The study relied on residential address for exposure estimates, which may misclassify personal exposure levels.
Participant Demographics
The study included older men, primarily white, with a mean age of 71 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 1.1 to 1.6
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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