Exposure to air pollution linked to increased risk of hospitalisation for mental illness, study finds

Stricter environmental restrictions would benefit millions of people and curb the impact on secondary care, the researchers said. Picture: Clare Keogh

Exposure to air pollution is linked to an increased risk of hospital admission for mental illness, according to the most comprehensive study of its kind.

The research, involving more than 200,000 people in Scotland, found an increase in exposure to nitrogen dioxide in particular was associated with a higher number of people being admitted to hospital for behaviour disorders and mental illnesses.