Swat Floods and Pollution Linked to Dementia Risk
The floods in Swat and the link between air pollution and dementia risk highlight the need for urgent action to mitigate these risks, with the government and authorities directed to launch an immediate search operation and issue precautionary measures near rivers and streams amid extreme weather conditions.
Flash floods in Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have caused widespread destruction and loss of life, while a new study reveals that exposure to air pollution is linked to an increased risk of developing dementia, highlighting the need for urgent action to mitigate these risks.
The floods in Swat have resulted in the loss of at least 7 lives, with 16 people reported missing, and rescue operations are underway to evacuate those trapped and provide relief to affected areas. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a flood alert and advised authorities to take precautionary measures to prevent loss of life and damage to infrastructure. Meanwhile, a study published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part C, found that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is associated with a higher risk of dementia.
The study, which analyzed data from over 1.4 million adults in the US, found that for every 5 micrograms per cubic meter increase in PM2.5, the risk of dementia increased by 16%. Similarly, for every 10 parts per billion increase in NO2, the risk of dementia increased by 24%. The study's lead author, Dr. Xue Li, noted that reducing exposure to these pollutants may help to mitigate the risk of dementia, highlighting the need for continued efforts to reduce air pollution in urban areas.
The situation in Swat is being closely monitored, with rescue teams working to evacuate those trapped and provide relief to affected areas. The study's findings have important implications for public health policy, particularly in urban areas where air pollution is often highest, and urgent action is needed to address these risks and prevent further loss of life.