Air Quality and Mental Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging open conversations about mental well-being. As we explore the connection between air quality and mental health, it’s important to remember that even small changes to our environment—like improving indoor air—can support emotional resilience and overall wellness. This month, consider taking steps to create a cleaner, calmer space as part of your mental health journey.

We know air quality affects our physical health, but did you know it can also affect our mental health?  

In a recent study, data from a Korean Health Community Survey was used to analyze the effects of local air quality over a 5-year timespan, ultimately analyzing over 124,000 subjects. 

After interviewing text subjects and comparing their answers with the trends of air quality in their respective neighborhoods, the scientists found that long-term exposure to air pollution increased the risk of depression and thoughts of self-harm.  

Other studies also associate low air quality with heightened anxiety, and children are found to be especially vulnerable due to their developing brains.  

While more studies need to be done, it’s clear that the importance of air quality cannot be understated. 

Did you know these pollutants may be in your home right now? 

• Vehicle Emissions: If you live near highways and heavy traffic areas, those exhaust fumes will find their way into your home.  
• Wildfire Smoke: Wildfire smoke can travel for hundreds of miles and carries high levels of particulate matter, including sulfuric acid, ammonium sulfate, organic chemicals, soot, metals, and pollen. 
• Secondhand Smoke: Smoke from cigarettes and cooking fumes contribute to low indoor air quality. 
• Pets: Playful pets release pet dander and pet fur into our air, as well as ammonia from litter boxes and potty accidents. 
• Plants: Pollen from indoor and outdoor plants can get stuck in your indoor air supply. 
• Dust & Fibers: They’re invisible until you see hundreds of them floating in a beam of sunlight, then it suddenly feels like they’re everywhere. 

• Cleaning Routine: Shrink big chores into smaller daily tasks. This will make it easier for you to stick to a consistent cleaning routine and help prevent surface dust, fibers, and pollen from getting swept into your air.
• Air Purifiers: An air purifier is an all-in-one way to improve air circulation, monitor your indoor air quality, and remove harmful airborne pollutants. If your family includes furry four-legged friends, we recommend the Levoit Vital 200S.
• Open Up: If you haven’t invested in an air purifier yet, opening doors and windows will help increase air circulation and prevent pollutants from lingering in your home.
• Avoid Gas Stoves: It’s no surprise that gas stoves negatively affect indoor air quality. However, if you already have one and don’t want to replace it, don’t panic. Cooking at lower temperatures and using proper air ventilation will help reduce a gas stove’s impact on your air quality. 

If you’re struggling, please know that you’re not alone. Here are some resources developed to help shed light on mental health and offer solutions:  

• Contact Information for Help Hotlines
• Learn More About Mental Health Topics and Disorders
• Learn More About Clinical Trials
• Learn More About the People Behind Mental Health Research

Important Note

The information provided here is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be used in medical emergencies or for diagnosing or treating any medical condition. It's crucial to consult a licensed medical professional for diagnosis and treatment. External links are for informational purposes and do not constitute endorsements. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the products and/or the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of the information provided herein.

Sources:

Long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and mental health status: A nationwide population-based cross-sectional study | PLOS ONE

The Surprising Link between (Indoor) Air Quality and Mental Health – Healthy Buildings (harvard.edu)

Poor air quality found to affect mental health in many ways | University of Oxford

Why Wildfire Smoke is a Health Concern | US EPA

Better indoor air quality can improve your mental health | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

Mental Health Information - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (nih.gov)

Billions of people still breathe unhealthy air: new WHO data

Mental disorders (who.int)

State of the Air Report (PDF) (lung.org)

Gas Stove Emissions Are a Public Health Concern: Exposure to Indoor Nitrogen Dioxide Increases Risk of Illness in Children, Older Adults, and People with Underlying Health Conditions (apha.org)