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2008-03-11 11:57:31
Mon Mar 10, 8:04 PM ET
Inhaling diesel exhaust triggers a stress response in the brain that may have
damaging long-term effects on brain function, Dutch researchers said on
Tuesday.
Previous studies have found very small particles of soot, or nanoparticles, are
able to travel from the nose and lodge in the brain. But this is the first time
researchers have demonstrated a change in brain activity.
"We can only speculate what these effects may mean for the chronic exposure to
air pollution encountered in busy cities where the levels of such soot
particles can be very high," said lead researcher Paul Borm from Zuyd
University.
"It is conceivable that the long-term effects of exposure to traffic
nanoparticles may interfere with normal brain function and information
processing."
Borm and his team put 10 volunteers in a room filled with exhaust from a diesel
engine for one hour and monitored their brain waves with an
electroencephalograph (EEG). The level of fumes was similar to that found on a
busy road or in a garage.
After about 30 minutes, brain wave patterns displayed a stress response,
suggesting changes in information processing in the brain cortex.
Further research is needed to determine the clinical effect of this stress and
whether it has any long-term impact on verbal and non-verbal intelligence or
memory abilities.
Still, the result appears to be another black mark for nanoparticles found in
traffic fumes, which have already been linked with increased rates of
respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
The study was published in the journal Particle and Fibre Toxicology and is
available online at http://www.particleandfibretoxicology.com/
(Reporting by Ben Hirschler; Editing by Jon Boyle)