Long-Term Air Pollution Exposure Linked To Increased Risk Of Common Brain Tumour, Study Finds

A new study has found a potential connection between long-term exposure to air pollution and a higher risk of developing meningioma, a typically benign brain tumour that forms in the lining of the brain and spinal cord.

Published in the journal ‘Neurology’, the study does not confirm that air pollution causes meningioma, but it does highlight a significant association between the two.

Researchers examined several air pollutants commonly linked to vehicle emissions, including nitrogen dioxide and ultrafine particles, especially prevalent in densely populated urban areas.

Researchers found that people exposed to higher levels of these pollutants faced a greater risk of developing meningioma.

According to Ulla Hvidtfeldt, a doctoral researcher at the Danish Cancer Institute in Copenhagen, these tiny ultrafine particles are small enough to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, potentially impacting brain tissue directly.

“Various types of air pollution have been shown to have negative effects on health, and ultrafine particles are small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier and may directly affect brain tissue,” Hvidtfeldt stated.

Hvidtfeldt further added, “Our study suggests that long-term exposure to air pollution from traffic and other sources may play a role in the development of meningioma and adds to the growing body of evidence that air pollution can affect the brain — not just the heart and lungs.”

Study observed millions over two decades

The study followed nearly 4 million Danish adults, with an average age of 35, over a period of 21 years.

During this time, 16,596 people diagnosed with central nervous system tumours, including 4,645 cases of meningioma.

While the study found a possible link between ultrafine traffic-related particles and meningioma, it did not find a similar connection with more aggressive brain tumours such as gliomas.

Hvidtfeldt further noted that researchers need to conduct more studies to confirm these results, but emphasised that cleaning up the air could significantly reduce the risk of brain tumours and benefit public health.

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