Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Particulate Air Pollution, and Cognitive Decline

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Particulate Air Pollution, and Cognitive Decline The recent article by Weuve and colleagues1 provides additional evidence that particulate air pollution contributes to cognitive decline. The mechanisms suggested to explain the observed association are generally consistent with an additional characteristic of a major component of PM2.5 (particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter), black carbon, namely adsorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The role of PAHs in cancer and reproductive and cardiovascular disease was reviewed by Lewtas.2 One PAH, benzo[a]pyrene, has been shown to cause neuronal death in a mouse through a combination of increase in reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and proinflammatory cytokines.3 Smoking is a risk factor for cognitive decline,4 and both particulates and PAHs are important emissions from smoking tobacco. An ecological study of cancer mortality rates in the United States used an index of air pollution for acid deposition.5 There are 3 primary sources of black carbon particulates: coal-fired combustion, diesel combustion, and wood combustion. That index had the highest values in the Northeast and was considered to be associated primarily with coal-fired power plants. That index was correlated with respiratory, digestive tract, urogenital, female organ, blood, and skin cancer. There was no indication that automobiles using gasoline such as in southern California were associated with increased risk of cancer. Thus, it would be interesting to know if the data by Weuve and colleagues1 showed any evidence of a geographical variation, as well as whether any information on black carbon and PAH exposure could be obtained to extend the study. Back to top Article Information Correspondence: Dr Grant, Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Research Center, PO Box 641603, San Francisco, CA 94164-1603 (wbgrant@infionline.net). Financial Disclosure: None reported. References 1. Weuve J, Puett RC, Schwartz J, Yanosky JD, Laden F, Grodstein F. Exposure to particulate air pollution and cognitive decline in older women. Arch Intern Med. 2012;172(3):219-22722332151PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 2. Lewtas J. Air pollution combustion emissions: characterization of causative agents and mechanisms associated with cancer, reproductive, and cardiovascular effects. Mutat Res. 2007;636(1-3):95-13317951105PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 3. Dutta K, Ghosh D, Nazmi A, Kumawat KL, Basu A. A common carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene causes neuronal death in mouse via microglial activation. PLoS One. 2010;5(4):e998420376308PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 4. Sabia S, Elbaz A, Dugravot A, et al. Impact of smoking on cognitive decline in early old age: the Whitehall II Cohort Study [published online February 6, 2012]. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2012;69(6):627-63522309970PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 5. Grant WB. Air pollution in relation to U.S. cancer mortality rates: an ecological study; likely role of carbonaceous aerosols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Anticancer Res. 2009;29(9):3537-354519667146PubMedGoogle Scholar http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of Internal Medicine American Medical Association

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Particulate Air Pollution, and Cognitive Decline

Archives of Internal Medicine , Volume 172 (13) – Jul 9, 2012

Loading next page...
 
/lp/american-medical-association/polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons-particulate-air-pollution-and-f4nc6UjL1f

References (7)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 2012 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0003-9926
eISSN
1538-3679
DOI
10.1001/archinternmed.2012.1698
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The recent article by Weuve and colleagues1 provides additional evidence that particulate air pollution contributes to cognitive decline. The mechanisms suggested to explain the observed association are generally consistent with an additional characteristic of a major component of PM2.5 (particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter), black carbon, namely adsorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The role of PAHs in cancer and reproductive and cardiovascular disease was reviewed by Lewtas.2 One PAH, benzo[a]pyrene, has been shown to cause neuronal death in a mouse through a combination of increase in reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and proinflammatory cytokines.3 Smoking is a risk factor for cognitive decline,4 and both particulates and PAHs are important emissions from smoking tobacco. An ecological study of cancer mortality rates in the United States used an index of air pollution for acid deposition.5 There are 3 primary sources of black carbon particulates: coal-fired combustion, diesel combustion, and wood combustion. That index had the highest values in the Northeast and was considered to be associated primarily with coal-fired power plants. That index was correlated with respiratory, digestive tract, urogenital, female organ, blood, and skin cancer. There was no indication that automobiles using gasoline such as in southern California were associated with increased risk of cancer. Thus, it would be interesting to know if the data by Weuve and colleagues1 showed any evidence of a geographical variation, as well as whether any information on black carbon and PAH exposure could be obtained to extend the study. Back to top Article Information Correspondence: Dr Grant, Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Research Center, PO Box 641603, San Francisco, CA 94164-1603 (wbgrant@infionline.net). Financial Disclosure: None reported. References 1. Weuve J, Puett RC, Schwartz J, Yanosky JD, Laden F, Grodstein F. Exposure to particulate air pollution and cognitive decline in older women. Arch Intern Med. 2012;172(3):219-22722332151PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 2. Lewtas J. Air pollution combustion emissions: characterization of causative agents and mechanisms associated with cancer, reproductive, and cardiovascular effects. Mutat Res. 2007;636(1-3):95-13317951105PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 3. Dutta K, Ghosh D, Nazmi A, Kumawat KL, Basu A. A common carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene causes neuronal death in mouse via microglial activation. PLoS One. 2010;5(4):e998420376308PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 4. Sabia S, Elbaz A, Dugravot A, et al. Impact of smoking on cognitive decline in early old age: the Whitehall II Cohort Study [published online February 6, 2012]. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2012;69(6):627-63522309970PubMedGoogle ScholarCrossref 5. Grant WB. Air pollution in relation to U.S. cancer mortality rates: an ecological study; likely role of carbonaceous aerosols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Anticancer Res. 2009;29(9):3537-354519667146PubMedGoogle Scholar

Journal

Archives of Internal MedicineAmerican Medical Association

Published: Jul 9, 2012

Keywords: air pollution,polycyclic hydrocarbons, aromatic,cognitive impairment

There are no references for this article.