Let’s Clear the Air – Reducing Air Pollution for Brain Health [Video]

This episode of Defy Dementia focuses on outdoor and indoor air pollution and its impact on brain health. First, we speak to Dr. Mark Weisskopf (Harvard University) about outdoor pollution, such as wildfire smoke, and how it may increase your dementia risk. Then, we meet Shiven Taneja, a Mississauga teen who builds do-it-yourself (DIY) air purifiers at a low cost for vulnerable community members. Finally, Dr. Tara Kahan (University of Saskatchewan) discusses ways to reduce your exposure to indoor sources of pollution, such as cooking and candle fumes. Tune in today for practical tips on lowering your indoor and outdoor pollution exposure, and decrease your dementia risk! 

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Resources

Studies on air pollution and dementia risk:

• Western research shows traffic related air pollution linked to increased risk of dementia (https://news.westernu.ca/2022/10/western-research-shows-traffic-related-air-pollution-linked-to-increased-risk-of-dementia/)  – from Western University
• Air pollution linked to higher dementia risk: Study (https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20230815/air-pollution-linked-elevated-dementia-risk-study) – from WebMD
• Air pollution may increase risk for dementia (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/air-pollution-may-increase-risk-for-dementia/)  – from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health 

Check the air quality in your area:

• Local Air Quality Health Index (https://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/index_e.html) – from the Government of Canada
• Air Now – Air Quality Index for the US (https://www.airnow.gov/?city=Acton&state=MA&country=USA) – from the US Government
• Air Pollution in World: Real-time Air Quality Index Visual Map (https://aqicn.org/map/world/)

Tips to reduce your air pollution exposure:

• Tips for reducing indoor pollutants in your home (https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/tips-reducing-indoor-pollutants-your-home#:~:text=Keep%20your%20home%20clean%20and,as%20wood%20shades%20or%20blinds)  – from HealthLinkBC
• Improve indoor air quality in your home (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/air-quality/improve-indoor-air-quality-in-your-home.html)  – from the Government of Canada
• 10 tips to protect yourself from unhealthy air (https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/10-tips-to-protect-yourself)  – from the American Lung Association

How to build your own air purifier:

• Science in action: How to build a Corsi-Rosenthal box (https://engineering.ucdavis.edu/news/science-action-how-build-corsi-rosenthal-box)  – from UC Davis College of Engineering