at Lancaster University in the UK has found that tiny particles of iron oxide in our brains probably come from the we breathe.
These magnetic particles have been linked to Alzheimer鈥檚 disease, and are thought to generate reactive compounds that can . We have known for some time that there are magnetite particles in our brains, but until now, it was thought that they came from natural sources.
Maher鈥檚 team found that the particles are mostly round in shape 鈥� a structure that suggests they form when fuel is burned, and may then get into the nerves in our noses when we breathe fumes in. 鈥淏ecause magnetite is known to be so toxic to the brain, it makes you see the atmosphere you鈥檙e breathing in in a different light,鈥� says Maher.
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She has now made changes to her lifestyle to avoid breathing in too many nanoparticles. 鈥淭hese findings are sufficiently alarming for me to alter my behaviour,鈥� she says. 鈥淚f I鈥檓 walking in a really busy street, I walk as far from the kerbside as I can. The concentration of particulate matter drops even across the pavement鈥檚 width.鈥�
When walking uphill, Maher may cross the road to walk next to the traffic going downhill. 鈥淭he vehicles going uphill generate more particulate matter.鈥�
鈥淚f I鈥檓 driving and I pull up behind a car, I鈥檓 not right up to the bumper,鈥� she says. 鈥淚n heavy traffic, the safest option is to have your air on recirculate. I choose my route so I鈥檓 on the back roads.鈥�
鈥淓verybody deserves to have this information so they can take steps to reduce their own exposure level,鈥� says Maher.
Read more:听Air pollution puts tiny magnetic particles in your brain
