Air pollution's impact on brain health

One in four dementia deaths, those of 626,000 people, is caused by air pollution. That shocking statistic is one of the findings of the 2025 State of Global Air report, which we’re discussing in this episode. Last year’s report is the first to examine the impact of air pollution on brain health, including how it affects neurodevelopment and mental health. Our guests are Dr Burcin Ikiz, a neuroscientist and adjunct lecturer at the department of psychiatry at Stanford University, and the chair of the international neuro climate working group, and Dr Pallavi Pant, Head of Global Initiatives at the Health Effects Institute.

Published on: 19 January 2026