HEPA air purifiers may boost brain function after just one month
A study of residents in Somerville, Massachusetts, found that using HEPA air purifiers for one month led to improved cognitive function in adults aged 40 and older. Participants showed a 12% increase in speed for tasks involving executive function and mental flexibility compared to using a sham device.
Why it matters
This research suggests that improving indoor air quality can have immediate, measurable benefits for brain health, particularly in populations exposed to high levels of traffic-related pollution.
Using an in-home HEPA purifier for one month spurs a small but significant improvement in brain function in adults age 40 and older. That's the result of a new study we co-authored in the journal Scientific Reports .
HEPA purifiers - HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air - remove particulate matter from the air . Exposure to particulate matter has been connected to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses as well as neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's . Environmental health researchers increasingly recommend that people use HEPA air purifiers in their homes to lower their exposure to particulate matter , but few studies have examined whether using them boosts mental function.
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