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Publications

Journal Article Review Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Ppublish 7 citations

PubMed: 38457036 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-024-00437-8

Airborne Exposure to Pollutants and Mental Health: A Review with Implications for United States Veterans.

Curr Environ Health Rep 11(2):168-183

Authors: Andrew J Hoisington, Kelly A Stearns-Yoder, Elizabeth J Kovacs, Teodor T Postolache, Lisa A Brenner

Affiliations

  • Veterans Affairs Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center (RMR VAMC), Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
  • Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
  • Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
  • Department of Systems Engineering and Management, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH, 45333, USA.
  • Veterans Affairs Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center (RMR VAMC), Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
  • Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
  • Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
  • Department of Surgery, Division of GI, Trauma and Endocrine Surgery, and Burn Research Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
  • Veterans Affairs Research Service, RMR VAMC, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
  • Mood and Anxiety Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
  • Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 5 MIRECC, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
  • Departments of Psychiatry & Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Inhalation of airborne pollutants in the natural and built environment is ubiquitous; yet, exposures are different across a lifespan and unique to individuals. Here, we reviewed the connections between mental health outcomes from airborne pollutant exposures, the biological inflammatory mechanisms, and provide future directions for researchers and policy makers. The current state of knowledge is discussed on associations between mental health outcomes and Clean Air Act criteria pollutants, traffic-related air pollutants, pesticides, heavy metals, jet fuel, and burn pits.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although associations between airborne pollutants and negative physical health outcomes have been a topic of previous investigations, work highlighting associations between exposures and psychological health is only starting to emerge. Research on criteria pollutants and mental health outcomes has the most robust results to date, followed by traffic-related air pollutants, and then pesticides. In contrast, scarce mental health research has been conducted on exposure to heavy metals, jet fuel, and burn pits. Specific cohorts of individuals, such as United States military members and in-turn, Veterans, often have unique histories of exposures, including service-related exposures to aircraft (e.g. jet fuels) and burn pits. Research focused on Veterans and other individuals with an increased likelihood of exposure and higher vulnerability to negative mental health outcomes is needed. Future research will facilitate knowledge aimed at both prevention and intervention to improve physical and mental health among military personnel, Veterans, and other at-risk individuals.

MeSH

Veterans, Burns, Mental Health, Military Personnel, Pesticides, Air Pollutants, Environmental Pollutants, Research, Environmental Health

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