Investigation and Study Results

The researchers first considered the evidence from the United States. That is, they look at the Health Insurance Database that has information from about 151 million individuals. This database has 11 years of outpatient and inpatient claims for neuropsychiatric diseases. Through the database, the researchers consider the geographical incidence of the insurance claims and compare them with potential air pollutants. They base their estimate, about the regions with most air pollution, on the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) findings.

After the scientist examined the evidence from the US, they extended their study. Because of this, they look at the findings from Denmark. Comparing the two countries they determine that there is indeed a correlation between air pollution and mental illness.

For the US the results show that the states with the highest level of air pollution experience an increase of 27% in bipolar disorders. That is in comparison with the states that have less air pollution.

The Danish findings show a similar situation. The researchers claim that early childhood exposure to air pollution increases the percentage of children with depression. To be more specific the figures show that major depression has a 50% increase and personality disorders show an increase of 162%. In addition to this, they also show an increase of 148% of schizophrenia for the regions in Denmark that have more air pollution.

For a study on a potential breakthrough in brain disease research check out this news article.