How does pollution affect my mental health?

About this episode

According to the government, air pollution is the “largest environmental risk to public health”, and accounts for between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths each year. But did you know that the air you breathe might be impacting not only your physical health but also your mental well-being? It's the largest environmental risk to public health because harmful pollutants like fine particulate matter, ammonia and nitrogen dioxide get into our bodies, affecting the eyes, nose and throat, heart and blood vessels and the respiratory system. But there are also risks regarding our mental health. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in February 2023 reported on the link between air pollution and psychological disorders. What did the study find? Who can be affected by air pollution? And how can we protect ourselves then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is Hugh Jackman’s 85% rule? What is burnout? What is the Werther effect? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices