Particulate air pollution from different emission sources, cognitive performance, and cognitive declines in India
Boya Zhang1, Sara D Adar2, Emma Nichols3
1University of Michigan School of Public Health, United States; Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, United States.
Environment International
|October 4, 2025
Summary
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure accelerates cognitive decline in low-income countries. Reducing emissions from residential combustion sources may help prevent dementia and promote healthy aging.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neuroscience
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Low- and middle-income countries face high fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure.
- PM2.5 from residential combustion, industry, and transportation is increasing.
- The link between PM2.5 sources and cognitive decline is understudied in these regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between PM2.5 from various emission sources and cognitive performance.
- To determine the impact of long-term PM2.5 exposure on cognitive decline in India.
- To identify specific PM2.5 sources contributing to cognitive impairment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cognitive data from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI-DAD) waves (2017-2019, 2022-2024).
- Estimated 5-year average PM2.5 concentrations from total mass and 9 emission sources.
- Employed generalized estimating equation models, adjusting for multiple covariates.
Main Results:
- Total PM2.5 exposure was linked to faster cognitive decline over time.
- PM2.5 from energy production, industry, and residential combustion correlated with steeper cognitive declines.
- PM2.5 from agriculture, transportation, wildfires, and windblown dust showed inverse associations with cognitive decline.
Conclusions:
- Long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5, particularly from residential combustion, accelerates cognitive decline.
- Interventions targeting residential PM2.5 sources could mitigate dementia risk.
- Reducing PM2.5 exposure may promote healthier aging in low- and middle-income settings.
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