What are the causes and effects of depression on a teenager by Air Pollution?

 Introduction

Depression in adolescents is a serious mental disorder. Constant feelings of anxiousness, despair, and boredom result from this. Rising air pollution measurement levels may bring on teen depression. As a result, these factors, particularly throughout adolescence, can hinder the growth and development of the brain & body. Indoor carbon dioxide (CO2) or ozone (O3) exposure in excess can impair brain development and function.

The phrase "air pollution" describes interior and outdoor air quality decline. Air pollution is caused by a variety of air contaminants that are suspended in the atmosphere. Different groups of individuals can be harmed by pollution in various ways. But only when their levels reach the acceptable upper limit does this occur.

The brain is a vital organ that aids the body's operation. When increasing air pollution makes it more challenging for the brain to operate, the entire body is harmed. The lungs, kidneys, liver, eyes, and other organs of the body are all impacted by air pollution.

Early age stress

Early life stress causes teenage depression as a result of air pollution, which includes PM2.5 & PM10, oxygen (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NO2), and other air pollutants. Compared to elder adults, young adults devote more time outside. Therefore, they are more susceptible to these air contaminants' harmful effects. Teenagers are more likely to experience stress if exposed to harmful air for extended periods.

Researchers have found a connection between the rise in cardiac illnesses and air pollution measurement. The physical changes in a teenager make this evident right away. The body can react by quickening respiration, tensing muscles, and perspiring.

High PM2.5 levels might cause the release of stress hormones. Researchers released a study in the Circulation journal of the American Heart Association. They looked at the causes of these negative health effects, finding that even brief exposure to PM can result in edema, changes in metabolism, and the production of stress hormones. 50–70% of teenagers develop agitative, impulsive, and anxiety disorders during their growth.

How do teenage depression symptoms result from elevated air pollution levels?

Because these contaminants raise the stress hormone cortisol, elevated air pollution levels can result in mental disease. It also impacts dopamine, the "happy hormone" in the brain. Low mood, loss of interest in your activities, a sense of worthlessness, and other mental diseases and depression symptoms are caused by changes in the happy hormone's level.

Teenagers are more likely than older folks to spend time outside. Consequently, they would be more vulnerable to the effects of specific air contaminants. The stress hormone is released as a result of specific contaminants. Since young bodies are already susceptible to air pollution, they risk developing mental health problems.

Depression-causing factors and symptoms

Teenagers' brains become less functioning due to high levels of O3 and other contaminants in the outdoor air. They are outside more often than they are inside. As a result, because adolescents are more susceptible to the negative impacts of these pollutants, air pollutants like O3 that are present outside can significantly influence them.

The brain must be in good health for the body to operate properly. Children who live in areas with high levels of air pollution find it challenging to maintain a healthy central nervous system and brain. As a result, their bodies struggle with basic bodily functions. These comprise fundamental cognitive & fine motor abilities, verbal and writing skills, etc. They believe they are worthless, which undermines their confidence and frequently triggers sadness.

Teen depression becomes worse

Teenage depression and the impacts of air pollution are associated. Air pollution can contribute to teen depression. Children experiencing anxiety or sadness symptoms are more susceptible to the negative impacts of air pollution. This implies that compared to a child without mental illness issues, a child experiencing depression or anxiety is more sensitive to air pollutants. Teenagers are experiencing higher levels of melancholy, stress, loneliness, and other mental health issues, leading to an increase in the prevalence of mood disorders, depressive symptoms, anxiousness, and other problems.

Teenagers with depression already have weak bodies due to their lack of a drive to survive. They don't consume a balanced diet, get enough water to be hydrated, and frequently consider suicide. As a result, their biological systems, such as the immune system, respiratory system, and reproductive organs, are compromised, causing their bodies to get weaker and weaker. Their bodies are, therefore, more vulnerable to the negative impacts of air pollution.

"Jack becomes a bored boy when there is no play."

But with so many harmful air pollutants outside, does it make sense to put Jack's life in danger? High concentrations of several pollutants can be found outside, including PM10, O3, CO, NO2, and sulfur dioxide (SO2). These contaminants can have a much bigger effect on a child's brain and other organs than on older ones.

•          PM10: Eye, throat, and nose irritation. Slows lung growth and has an impact on lung function.

•          Inhaling O3- might expand the respiratory tract. It is challenging to breathe deeply and fully because of this.

•          CO: When you breathe in CO, your body can't use oxygen as it typically would. Children and teenagers may have symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, and more.

·         Exposure to NO2 can seriously harm the lungs. It impairs lung function, intensifies asthma attacks, and frequently necessitates ER visits.

•          SO2- Children's developing lungs are especially susceptible to SO2 emissions. Therefore, SO2 exposures can exacerbate a child's pre-existing asthma symptoms.

Solutions

•         On days with low air quality forecasts, kids should limit their outdoor activities to avoid problems. To reduce your chance of breathing in dangerous air pollution, wear a quality N-95 air mask outside. Keep an eye on the indoor air quality in homes and classrooms. Take the necessary or suitable actions as a result.

•         Boost ventilation in buildings like homes and schools. Because of the respiration process, emissions like CO2 are frequent indoors. High CO2 intake can impair cognitive function and impact a child's academic performance.

•         Parents should monitor any behavioral changes in their children while abstaining from the helicopter parenting approach.

•         Teenagers who regularly exercise, practice yoga, meditate, and do breathing exercises might lessen the effects of stress and the symptoms of depression. They can benefit from yoga in the morning or evening walks.

•         But before going outside, it's important to keep an eye on outdoor air contaminants and general air quality forecast. This is important to stop exposure to harmful air, especially in heavily polluted locations.

•         Keep the interior air quality forecast high when vulnerable populations are present. Among sensitive groups of individuals include young children, the aged, pregnant women, and people with underlying medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and the like.

Conclusion

Because they are still developing, air pollution measurement might impact teenagers' bodies and minds. Teenagers' bodies are already undergoing many changes. Their bodies' natural bodily processes can be altered by air pollution, making them more prone to illness.

Respiratory conditions, cognitive function, depressive symptoms, or panic attacks can all be made worse by air pollution. Air pollution contributes to female bodily problems during menstruation.

The surroundings and living circumstances significantly impact how stressed and depressed teenagers are. Therefore, exposure to air pollution has consequences on biological processes other than problems with mental health.