Long-term exposure to air pollution may do more than damage the lungs and heart – it can accelerate physical decline and make recovery harder for older adults, according to a new U.S. study.
Researchers tracked nearly 30,000 Americans aged 50 and over for almost two decades through the University of Michigan’s landmark Health and Retirement Study, examining their exposure to PM2.5, PM10-2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) at their homes.
To identify people with mobility impairments, the researchers looked at whether participants reported long-term difficulty – lasting more than three months due to a health problem – with any of five everyday tasks: walking across a room, walking one block, walking several blocks, climbing one stair, or climbing several stairs.
It was found that long-term exposure to PM2.5, PM10-2.5 and NO2 significantly increased the risk of moving from a healthy state to having physical limitations and from having limitations to full disability. For instance, a rise in PM2.5 exposure was linked to a 6% higher likelihood of developing mobility problems.
Pollution also appeared to slow recovery. Older adults with higher PM2.5 exposure were less likely to regain lost physical function, suggesting that air pollution may trap people in declining health rather than just pushing them toward it.
Sara Adar, senior author on the study said: ‘We found that higher residential air pollution levels were not only associated with faster declines in physical function, but also with reduced chances of recovery.
Lead author Jiaqi Gao of the University of Wisconsin added: ‘Our inquiry is unique in that we considered how exposure may hinder the reverse process toward recovery instead of focusing solely on the decline in physical functioning. Our study strengthens the evidence that air pollution is a modifiable risk factor for declining physical function, not only for disability but also for mobility.’
The study builds on previous research by following individuals’ progression from health to limited mobility and disability, or in some cases, back to better health.
Adar said: ‘Our study shows that cleaner air may help people maintain physical function and even recover from setbacks, allowing them to stay stronger and more independent as they age. We believe our research emphasizes that clean air is an important contributor to healthy aging.’
The full research can be read here
Photo: Tim Mossholder / unsplash
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