The record
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- A study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health links air pollution exposure to a higher risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts.
- Researchers from Queen's University Belfast analysed 29 studies for the meta-analysis.
- The study found statistically significant associations between short-term exposure to PM2.5 and PM10, long-term exposure to PM2.5 and NO2, and risk of death by suicide, attempted suicide and suicidal thoughts.
- Air pollutants and contaminated water containing lead, lithium, nitrate or arsenic have been linked to neurological effects that can influence stress resilience.
- Researchers say the findings suggest environmental exposures should be considered modifiable risk factors in suicide prevention, though an outside expert noted the effect sizes were small and confounding factors were not fully addressed.
What to watch next
- Further research to separate air pollution effects from weather, climate and socio-economic confounders, as called for by expert Ben Mullins
- Whether suicide prevention strategies begin incorporating environmental exposure reduction as a modifiable factor
- Possible links involving other pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, noise and light pollution flagged by the researchers
Who said what2
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Ben Mullins
professor
2 quotes · 1 outlet
“It is well known that many air pollutants, specifically many metals, may cause wide-ranging neurological effects, including depression, anxiety, etc. Therefore, a link between air pollutant exposure and mental health disorders, including suicide, is not unexpected”
In the article
…that several air pollutants may cause some neurological effects, as per the PTI report. Mullins noted that the study has undertaken one of the first meta-analyses exploring the link between air pollution and suicide. " It is well known that many air pollutants, specifically many metals, may cause wide-ranging neurological effects, including depression, anxiety, etc. Therefore, a link between air pollutant exposure and mental health disorders, including suicide, is not unexpected ," Mullins said. Furthermore, the professor emphasised that the effect sizes in the included studies were small and the confounding factors were not adequately addressed. "However, the effect sizes in the included…
“However, the effect sizes in the included studies were relatively small, and the authors did not adequately address confounding factors or other explanatory variables”
In the article
…disorders, including suicide, is not unexpected," Mullins said. Furthermore, the professor emphasised that the effect sizes in the included studies were small and the confounding factors were not adequately addressed. " However, the effect sizes in the included studies were relatively small, and the authors did not adequately address confounding factors or other explanatory variables ," Mullins said. "For example, other studies have found stronger links between weather and climate extremes and suicide. These extremes are however, in turn, often associated with air pollution events," the professor…
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Named United Kingdom · Australia · India · Ben Mullins · Curtin University · Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health · Queen's University Belfast
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