Open AccessImpact of Air Pollution and Seasonal Haze on Neurological Conditions: A Review
Author(s) -
Ida Ingrid Rocha,
Kaavya Narasimhalu,
Deidre Anne De Silva
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
annals, academy of medicine, singapore/annals of the academy of medicine, singapore
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.299
H-Index - 60
ISSN - 0304-4602
DOI - 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.18087
Subject(s) - medicine , haze , stroke (engine) , epilepsy , dementia , disease , air pollution , migraine , environmental health , pathology , psychiatry , meteorology , ecology , geography , mechanical engineering , engineering , biology
Air pollution is a global problem and seasonal haze from forest clearingand peat land burning in Indonesia is an annual phenomenon in Southeast Asia. Asneurological disorders comprise 6.3% of the burden of disease globally, we reviewedevidence of the association between common neurological conditions and air pollutionexposure, and summarised existing data on the impact of the haze phenomenon inSoutheast Asia. Materials and Methods: A PubMed search for relevant studies on airpollution, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), dementia, epilepsy, haze, headache, migraine, stroke, Parkinson’s disease (PD) and neuromuscular conditions was performed. There were 52 articles which were relevant and were reviewed. Results: There were associations between short-term air pollution exposure with AD, epilepsy, ischaemic stroke and migraine. Long-term air pollution exposure was associated with AD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, dementia and ischaemic stroke. Evidence on the link between air pollution and PD was inconsistent. Currently, there is no specific data on the effects haze has on neurological conditions in Southeast Asia. Conclusion: Air pollution is associated with increased risk of certain common neurological disorders. More specific studies are needed to investigate the impact of seasonal haze on neurological conditions in Southeast Asia.Key words: Alzheimer’s disease, Epilepsy, Migraine, Parkinson’s disease, Stroke