Short-term exposure to air pollution has become a growing public health concern due to its potential impact on cognitive performance. This review article explores recent findings on how exposure to common air pollutants such as PM2.5, NOx, and O3 affects cognitive function in both children and adults. The review synthesizes evidence from epidemiological and experimental studies, discusses plausible biological mechanisms, and highlights critical research gaps. A better understanding of this association is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate cognitive impairments due to environmental pollution. The review was conducted using a non-systematic narrative approach. Literature searches were performed across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for studies published in English. Relevant empirical and review studies were selected based on their focus on short-term air pollution exposure and cognitive outcomes.
air pollution, cognitive performance, short-term exposure, PM2.5, neuroinflammation, environmental health
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