Long-Term exposure to ambient air pollution and cognitive function among hispanic/latino adults in San Diego, California

Sindana D. Ilango, Kevin Gonzalez, Linda Gallo, Matthew A. Allison, Jianwen Cai, Carmen R. Isasi, H. Dean Hosgood, Priscilla M. Vasquez, Donglin Zeng, Marion Mortamais, Hector Gonzalez, Tarik Benmarhnia

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Background: Hispanics/Latinos in the United States are more likely to live in neighborhoods with greater exposure to air pollution and are projected to have the largest increase in dementia among race/ethnic minority groups. Objective: We examined the associations of air pollution with performance on cognitive function tests in Hispanic/Latino adults. Methods: We used data from the San Diego site of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, an ongoing cohort of Hispanics/Latinos. This analysis focused on individuals ≥45 years of age who completed a neurocognitive battery examining overall mental status, verbal learning, memory, verbal fluency, and executive function (n = 2,089). Air pollution (PM2.5 and O3) before study baseline was assigned to participants' zip code. Logistic and linear regression were used to estimate the associations of air pollution on overall mental status and domain-specific standardized test scores. Models accounted for complex survey design, demographic, and socioeconomic characteristics. Results: We found that for every 10μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, verbal fluency worsened (β:-0.21 [95% CI:-0.68, 0.25]). For every 10 ppb increase in O3, verbal fluency and executive function worsened (β:-0.19 [95% CI:-0.34,-0.03]; β:-0.01 [95% CI:-0.01, 0.09], respectively). We did not identify any detrimental effect of pollutants on other domains. Conclusion: Although we found suggestions that air pollution may impact verbal fluency and executive function, we observed no consistent or precise evidence to suggest an adverse impact of air pollution on cognitive level among this cohort of Hispanic/Latino adults.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAlzheimer's Disease and Air Pollution
Subtitle of host publicationThe Development and Progression of a Fatal Disease from Childhood and the Opportunities for Early Prevention
PublisherIOS Press
Pages311-318
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781643681597
ISBN (Print)9781643681580
DOIs
StatePublished - May 3 2021

Keywords

  • Air pollution
  • Cognitive dysfunction
  • Cohort study
  • Dementia
  • Hispanics
  • Latinos
  • Ozone
  • Particulate matter

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine
  • General Neuroscience

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