Air pollution and depression symptoms in middle-aged and older adults in Los Angeles County.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Long-term exposure to air pollutants may be harmful to the brain, potentially through inducing oxidative stress or inflammation. Few studies of air pollution and depression have been conducted in the United States where this mental health disorder is prevalent among adults. We investigated associations between ambient air pollutants (O₃, PM_2.5 and NO₂) and depression symptoms in middle-aged and older adults (n = 1496) without cardiovascular disease or cognitive impairment in Los Angeles, California.

Methods

Air pollution exposures were assigned to residential addresses using a geographic information system with air quality monitoring data. The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D) assessed depression symptoms a

SUBMITTER: Gatto NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12494606 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature