Experts call for stricter air pollution targets to tackle dementia risk

Smog descends over London. Researches have found that exposure to air pollution raises people’s the risk of developing dementia. Photograph: Nicholas T Ansell/PA

Exposure to air pollution is linked to an increased risk of dementia, even at levels below UK, US and EU air quality standards, according to research. Experts say the findings add to the need for urgent action to reduce exposure to pollution globally.

More than 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia and the global burden continues to increase. But interventions to delay or prevent the onset of dementia are scarce.