Compared with last year, air quality in the Pearl River Delta region, the Yangtze River Delta region, and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has improved. (Photo : Reuters)
Researchers finally confirmed that air pollution contributes to a patient's anxiety and increases the chances of triggering a stroke.
A new study, which involved more than 70,000 women in the U.S., found evidence that air pollution does affect mental health. The participants who resided in areas with high rates of air pollution reported experiencing several symptoms of anxiety.
Another study looked at the evidence regarding the connection between stroke and air pollution. Dr. Anoop S.V. Shah and a team of researchers reviewed more than 100 observational studies and found out that there were a "clear association" between the two.
Both studies, which were published in the BMJ on Tuesday, does not prove that air pollution directly causes anxiety or strokes. The researchers said that they are significant factors for the illnesses, however, according to CBS News.
Melinda Power, the lead author for the study, said that there are other factors at play, including whether the city was big or small, or if a patient already had existing lung or heart conditions.
"I think some of the most likely alternative explanations would be other forms of pollution," said Power, who is a researcher from the Johns Hopkins University.
In addition, Power said that moving away from air pollution does not help decrease anxiety symptoms. She added that more studies should be conducted to find more information.
Michael Brauer from the University of British Columbia said that the recent evidence found also links air pollution to other diseases and health complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight and diabetes, according to Psychiatry Advisor.
The researchers still suggest that pollution should be reduced as it has more benefits for the population.
