Air pollution linked to more severe mental illness – study

Research finds small rise in exposure to air pollution leads to higher risk of needing treatment

Researchers calculated that a small reduction in one pollutant alone could reduce illness and save the NHS tens of millions a year.

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

The research, involving 13,000 people in London, found that a relatively small increase in exposure to nitrogen dioxide led to a 32% increase in the risk of needing community-based treatment and an 18% increase in the risk of being admitted to hospital.