We can (almost) all agree that climate change is wreaking havoc on our planet: More volatile and dangerous weather patterns, more erosion of waterfront land, more temperature extremes, and, as we’ve recently witnessed in California, more dangerous wildfires in inhabited places. And that’s not even addressing the land, water, and air pollution that exists around the world. But what are these extreme forces of nature doing to our health? As the mounting evidence makes clear, the health of all people, especially older adults, is at risk with the array of pollutants and extremes that now afflict our planet.

Perhaps most front of mind are the recent wildfires that tore through Southern California destroying thousands of properties and homes and killing dozens of people. It’s important to understand that the majority of those who died in the recent California fires were older adults, often unable or unwilling to leave their homes despite the dangers posed. Among those who survived, however, the effects of the fires may be long-lasting. A recent study published in JAMA Neurology describes the hazardous nature of wildfire smoke, as assessed by earlier fires in California. Long-term smoke exposure is associated with greater odds of being diagnosed with dementia, especially for older adults under age 75, along with racial minority groups and those living in high-poverty areas. For more on this research, put on a mask and read here.

Air pollution more generally has been studied worldwide for its dangerous impact on human health. Recent studies published in the Lancet, JAMA Network Open, and Nature Sustainability all focus on the negative impacts around the world of air pollution and the impact of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can penetrate deep into the cardiorespiratory system. Older adults, whose weakened immune systems cannot readily fight against the pollutants, thereby face serious health dangers, including premature death. 

There is also research pointing to the link between breathing polluted air and the development of osteoporosis. There is growing recognition in the scientific community that air pollution may be a risk factor for poor bone health. There are several hypotheses as to why that is, including the fact that sooty black air can block sunlight, leading to diminished production of Vitamin D by the body (a necessary nutrient for the absorption of calcium and strong bone health). There is also conjecture that air pollution can damage DNA and promote inflammation which may also affect bone health. We do know that population rates of osteoporosis are higher in regions with heavily polluted air, such as India. Recent studies have documented a link between rising exposure to PM2.5 pollutants and increased risk of osteoporosis. Air pollution, along with heavy metal exposure such as lead and cadmium, and even exposure to “forever chemicals” (PFAS) are all potentially harmful to bones. As one expert made clear, “Exposure to pollution can trigger chronic inflammation which may in turn impair bone metabolism.” We also know that PFAS can disrupt the endocrine system, damaging the production and regulation of hormones such as estrogen, which can then lead to disruption of bone metabolism, especially in women. There is even research reporting that exposure to toxic PFAS raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. For more on this research, click here.

Finally, brand new research on the appearance of microplastics in the human body reports that the human brain seems to accumulate more microplastics than any other organ in the body and that on autopsy, the brains of those who have been diagnosed with dementia show up to 10x more microplastics than the brains of people who were not diagnosed with dementia. While it is unclear what the neurological effect of these microplastics is on brain health, and possible that the increased amount in the brains of dementia patients is not a cause of dementia but rather a result of inadequate clearance of these pollutants by an already diseased brain, it is worrisome that the brain seems to be a repository for microplastics entering the body. Microplastics are found in everything from food to water bottles to packaging and even insulation. How to protect yourself and your brain from this hazard? Experts suggest cutting back on your use of plastic especially in food preparation, avoiding the use of plastic water bottles or heating food in plastic containers, and vacuuming your house frequently to cut back on plastic “dust” in the air. For more on the harms of microplastics and the protections you can take, grab your dust buster and look here.