New research links Particulate Matter (PM2.5) exposure to anxiety

Source: U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services

A study released last week in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) links fine Particulate Matter to yet another medical problem – anxiety.  The study, conducted by researchers with Johns Hopkins and Harvard medical schools, found exposure to PM 2.5 increased risk of experiencing high anxiety symptoms by 12-15 percent. A separate study linking air pollution to strokes was published in the same issue, as was an editorial that concluded:


Read and/or download this Open Access study at:

The relation between past exposure to fine particulate air pollution and prevalent anxiety: observational cohort study

Read the BMJ editorial  – Air pollution, stroke, and anxiety

For more information, visit:

Air pollution linked to increased risk of anxiety, stroke, Science Daily (News Article)

Anxiety Symptoms Raised by Air Pollution, Medical Research (Interview)

Smog may be raising anxiety levels in cities around the world, UPI (News article)